Canberra, ACT: The Creative Cultural Diversity Network (CCDN) On The Road, presented by Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) in partnership with the University of Canberra, will take place on Thursday, 27 and Friday, 28 November 2025, at the University of Canberra’s Bruce campus. The event brings the national CCDN network to Canberra for the first time, highlighting the capital’s growing role in Australia’s creative diversity landscape.
This two-day symposium launches the revitalised CCDN Network, bringing together creative sector workers, artists, students, and academics to explore and champion issues of creative equity, cultural representation and storytelling. It will strengthen collaboration, advocacy and connection among culturally diverse creatives, including people from migrant, refugee and POC backgrounds, and allies working to advance cultural equity across Australia’s arts and creative industries.
CCDN On The Road is part of a national series led by Diversity Arts Australia, designed to strengthen the CCDN Network — a national community of arts and creative sector workers committed to cultural equity. The symposium invites artists, students and academics to take part in discussions, performances and showcases addressing representation, leadership and careers in the creative sector.
“CCDN On The Road marks the next stage of building this network into a strong, connected voice for creative equity,” said Lena Nahlous, CEO of Diversity Arts Australia. “We’re creating spaces where culturally, linguistically and racially diverse creatives, arts workers and practitioners can connect, share their experiences and lead change across the creative sector.”
“This event is about representation and visibility; providing a platform for artists whose stories are often overlooked,” added Dr Bilquis Ghani, University of Canberra lecturer and DARTS Board Member. “Canberra’s creative community is deeply diverse, and this symposium will celebrate that richness.”
Event Details
Day 1 – Thursday, 27 November
The symposium will open with an official welcome, followed by a lively panel discussion exploring storytelling through a multicultural lens. The afternoon features a keynote address by Canberra-based creative Plumi Wijesundara, examining the experiences
of artists rebuilding their creative practice in new cultural contexts.
Day 2 – Friday, 28 November
The second day will include a book launch for Uyghur Resistance and a local performance showcase. In the afternoon, the symposium will transition into closed sessions for culturally, linguistically and racially diverse creative sector workers and practitioners, including a Listening Circle and Roundtable Discussion.
Attendance
The CCDN Roadshow is free and open to the public on Day 1 and the morning of
Day 2 (free and open to creatives from CaLD/CaRM backgrounds on the afternoon of Day 2).
Registrations are now open and free.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Bilquis Ghani
Lecturer, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra
Simone Amelia Jordan
Creative Cultural Diversity Network
Diversity Arts Australia
About Diversity Arts Australia:
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is the national voice for racial equity in the creative sectors for ethno-cultural and migrant communities. Our work is underpinned by a human rights ethic, social justice principles, and the belief that a truly diverse spectrum of creative expression and participation is fundamental to a democratic, inclusive, and sustainable creative sector and society. DARTS works towards an innovative industry that reflects the complex diversity of the nation, on our screens and stages; in our audiences, our galleries and books; and within boards, committees, and positions of leadership into the future.
Diversity Arts Australia is proudly supported by Creative Australia and Create NSW.
Photo: “Breaking And Entering” industry panel, June 2025 (supplied).