RMIT Culture 2024 Impact Report by RMIT Culture

Impact Report 2024 RMIT Culture

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University.

RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Artwork ‘Sentient’ by Hollie Johnson.

RMIT Culture

GPO Box 2476

Melbourne VIC 3001

rmit.edu.au/about/culture instagram.com/rmitculture

Introduction

RMIT Culture serves as a bridge connecting the University’s cultural spaces and collections with the community, fostering creative engagement and supporting learning and research through programs, exhibitions, events and opportunities.

In 2024, RMIT Culture demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural landscape, engaging diverse audiences, and enhancing community connections. Our activities were celebrated for their cultural contribution, which emerged as the highest-ranked attribute according to audience feedback. This was followed by appreciation for content quality, a strong sense of belonging, and the ability to challenge thinking. These outcomes underscore our dedication to creating enriching cultural experiences that resonate deeply with our diverse community and position RMIT as a leading institution in the cultural domain.

Our demographic data further highlights this diversity: 29% of our audience was born overseas, 24% identified as LGBTQIA+, 16% spoke a language other than English, 11% were persons with disabilities, and 1% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, reflecting the broader Victorian population. These statistics affirm our inclusive approach, ensuring that our cultural offerings are accessible and relevant to all.

The RMIT Culture team amplified its focus on a number of key RMIT Knowledge with Action goals in the past year. Through greater alignment with learning and teaching, our collections saw a marked increase in student engagement. We saw sustainable and measurable outcomes for the University and community through greater impact partnerships. Our gallery programming also exemplified the diverse applications for RMIT research and development.

Amy Harrington Director, Philanthropy & Public Engagement RMIT University

2024 at a glance

30 exhibitions

46 learning engagements reaching 1,187 students

50 tours reaching 1,102 visitors

Galleries

Galleries Overview

RMIT Strategy Goal

Key Metric

Learning Through Life & Work

70 Education tours reaching 4191 secondary and tertiary students

8 grad shows with 440 students

171 artists and 16 external curators

Research & Innovation for Impact

Serving Our Communities

16 Practice Research Symposium candidates from 2 symposia

30 exhibitions across 3 galleries with 13,150 visitors - 7 within RMIT Gallery - 10 within Design Hub Gallery - 13 within First Site Gallery

44 public programs with 7,420 audience members attending

Strategy Point Impact

1.4 Support RMIT educators to challenge and inspire

1.3 Build inclusive support and experiences for all learning pathways

1.1 Embed active, authentic and applied learning as RMIT’s signature pedagogy

2.5 Accelerate research translation and commercialisation

3.4 Use key RMIT locations as platforms for common growth

Foster engagement and broaden the educational experience, connecting students with real-world applications of their studies

Provides platform to showcase talent and develop career opportunities

Enhances learning through diverse artistic collaboration

Translates research into practical applications, fostering innovation and collaboration

Exhibitions utilise RMIT’s galleries to enrich cultural growth and community engagement

Strengthens community ties and growth through knowledge exchange and cultural dialogue

Exhibitions

RMIT Gallery

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1 March – 4 May 2024

Curators: Alison Bennet, Shane Hulbert, Daniel Palmer, Katrina Sluis

Artists: Memo Akten, Dries Depoorter and Max Pinckers, Amrita Hepi, Rosa Menkman, Sara Oscar, J. Rosenbaum, Sebastian Schmieg, Alan Warburton

Supported by RMIT Enabling Impact Platforms. An official exhibition of PHOTO 2024 International Festival of Photography.

Wanderings About History: The Photography of Ulrich Wüst

1 March – 20 April 2024

RMIT Gallery

Curator: Matthias Flügge

Artist: Ulrich Wüst

An exhibition by ifa in partnership with the GoetheInstitut. An official exhibition of PHOTO 2024.

Working Title: Studio Practice in the RMIT Art Collection

30 May – 27 July 2024

Curator: Lisa Linton

Artists: Brook Andrew, George Baldessin, Irene Barberis, Stephen Benwell, Joseph Beuys, John Brack, Moik Chung, Peta Clancy, Kirsten Coelho, Greg Creek, Greg Daly, Lynda Draper, Marco Fusinato, Sally Gabori (Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda), Dale Hickey, Geoffrey Lowe, Albert Namatjira, John Olsen, Clare Rae, Steven Rendall, John Robinson, David Rosetzky, John Rowell, Vipoo Srivalasa, David Thomas, Christian Thompson, Kevin White, Normana Wight

The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt

30 May – 27 July 2024

Curator: Irene Barberis

Artists: Janet Passehl, Fransje Killaars, Wilma Tabacco, Irene Barberis

This Hideous Replica

23 August – 16 November 2024

Curators: Joel Stern, Sean Dockray

Artists: Amy May Stuart, Angie Waller, Anna Vasof, Debris Facility Pty Ltd, Diego Ramírez, Emile Zile, Joshua Citarella, Liang Luscombe, Loren Adams, Masato Takasaka, Matthew Griffin & Heath Franco, Mochu

Supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, the RMIT Design and Creative Practice Enabling Impact Platforms and Monash Art, Design and Architecture. Part of the City of Melbourne’s Now or Never festival. Assisted by Creative Australia and Creative Victoria.

Deep Material Energy III

14 September – 16 November 2024

Curator: Heather Gailbraith

Artists: Cara Johnson, Inari Kiuru, Claire McArdle, Kelly McDonald, Victoria McIntosh, Neke Moa, Rowan Panther, Lisa Waup

Supported by Toi Rauwharangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University. Presented as part of the Radiant Pavilion Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial.

RMIT Design Hub Gallery

To See is to Change

29 February – 26 April 2024

Curator: Helen Rayment

Artists: CAMP

CAMP, an RMIT Culture production. Coprogrammed by Dr Shweta Kishore (RMIT School of Media and Communication). An official exhibition of PHOTO 2024.

Future Folds: contemporary investigations in origami

11 July – 10 August 2024

Curators: Sukanya Deshmukh, Malte Wagenfeld

Artists: A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, Tomoko

Fuse, Robert J. Lang, Jun Mitani, Koya Narumi, Tomohiro Tachi and more

Held in conjunction with the 8th International Meeting on Origami in Science, Mathematics and Education.

Here’s Something I’ve Been Wanting To Show You

14 September – 26 September 2024

Curators: Cathy Doe, Mark Edgoose, Kirsten Haydon, Sarah Lockey

Artists (RMIT Gold & Silversmithing students and alumni): Angelica Zumpo, Angelique Fry, Ann Welton, Aphra Cheesman, Aunty Beverley Meldrum, Aunty Suzanne Connelly-Kildomitis, Beth Sanderson, Brooke Coutts-Wood, Cassie Leatham, Christine Murray, Ciara Steggerda, Claire McArdle, Courtney Hogan, Deborah Fisher, Dee Robinson, Dominic White, Elisa Zorraquin, Emma Byrne, Gaia Maria Walicka, Grae Burnished, Hongyu Chen, Isabella Hope-Miller, Jale Sezai, Jennifer Baulch, Jenna Lee, Jessica Phippen, Jessie Hack, Katherine Hubble, Kelly Christodoulou, Ko Jou Chen, Lindy McSwan, Lisa Waup, Lixian Wu, Madeline Wright, Mariia Tseveleva, Mengting Zou, Michaela Pegum, Moqian Wang, Nao Hirata, Rachel Simoons, Rose Li Cai Gamble, Saiqu Ma, Yutian Sang, Sarah Lockey, Sharn Geary, Sirui Yang, Siteng Wei, Sophie Quinn, Stephanie Rachael Corthorne, Tammy Gilson, Teegan Horat, Valentin Ostrom, Victoria Zhook, Vivian Qiu, Yara Ueltschi, Yi Jen Chu, Yin-Yu Tseng, Yu Fang Chi, Yujan Jiang, Zipei Huang

Supported by the RMIT University Student Union. Presented as part of the Radiant Pavilion Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial.

First Site Gallery

MACUMBA – ONSITE 03 Cecilia Sordi Campos

26 February – 22 March 2024

Curator: Lisa Linton

Artist: Cecilia Sordi Campos

First Site EOI 1

Jana Papantoniou, The Act of Looking Teegan Horat, I Spoke To An Echo: The Jewellery Studio as an Archive of Human Interaction with Material

Jing Liang, Between Personal And The Gender Politics: The Symphony Of Material Substances, Actions, And Body Movements

Artists: Jana Papantoniou, Teegan Horat, Jing Liang

First Site EOI 2

Between the Fog

Ka Yan So, On Our Way Home

Ji Li, The sun will rise for you

Artists: Jade Cargill, Sophie Malvestuto, Odin Strbac Low, Yvonne Rambeau, Ka Yan So, Ji Li

đây đó (here/there): Võ Thanh Tiến

7 August – 11 August

First Site Gallery

Artist: Võ Thanh Tiến

First Site EOI 3

Evangeline Clark + Madeleine Sherburn (Gal 1), Lovely Bibbles

Sarah Lockey (Gallery 2), Ecocide

Jale Sezai (Gallery 3), PDA (Public Display of Affection)

15 October – 9 November 2024

First Site Gallery

Artists: Evangeline Clark, Madeleine Sherburn, Sarah Lockey, Jale Sezai

Jewellery Exhibitions Elevating Student & Alumni Practice

Two jewellery exhibitions acted as model projects for the high level of support offered to students and academics in regard to learning opportunities and pathways.

Here’s Something I’ve been Wanting to Show You at Design Hub Gallery in September brought together a group of RMIT’s Gold and Silversmithing students and alumni from 2018 to the present. These artists all studied just prior and during the unique and challenging times of the pandemic. The project highlighted alumni who did not have the opportunity to celebrate their work at this time. The exhibition also showcased the innovative creative practices taught at RMIT alongside the community and caring relationships that underpin studying at RMIT while presenting them to new audiences.

To compliment this project, RMIT Gallery presented Deep Material Energy III in September – November an exhibition of contemporary jewellery and objects by makers from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Melbourne. Many of these artists trained at RMIT and continue to have strong academic practices. A partnership with Massey University, NZ, this project allowed RMIT educators to share knowledge, challenge audiences and inspire students. Both projects were part of the official program of the critically acclaimed Melbourne festival, Radiant Pavilion, which is the biggest and most celebrated biennial of its kind in the southern hemisphere. This highlighted the work of RMIT academics and alumni on a nationally significant platform.

This Hideous Replica: Fostering Interdisciplinary Practice & Engagement

This Hideous Replica offered a range of inclusive learning pathways and opportunities for RMIT educators to challenge and inspire. This creative project included an exhibition, performance series and an experimental “school” staged between August and September 2024 at RMIT Gallery, First Site Gallery and other spaces.

The project explored the concept of duplication, replication and fakery that has haunted our cultural and technological landscapes for decades – from the simulation theories of the 1990s to the uncanny intersections of artificial intelligence and algorithmic culture. It included traditional, new media and performative artworks, workshops and lectures from a range of local and international creatives and academics.

The project received high visitation from over 4,000 RMIT coursework students, local secondary and tertiary school groups, creatives, academics and the public. In addition to the exhibition and diverse public program, the project also engaged eight creative writers (associated with the RMIT nonFictionLab research group) to respond to the exhibition themes. These written works were published in February, 2025.

The project received external grant funding through major funding agencies that enabled greater opportunities for all artists and participants.

Collections

Collections Overview

RMIT Strategy Goal Key Metric

Learning Through Life & Work

838 participants (tours, student studios, WIL, classes) (80% increase)

551 research visits / 815 hours of 1:1 research support / Accessing 15,116 items

325 volunteer hours

Research & Innovation for Impact

450,000 collection items, 1171 new acquisitions

$23M collection value

7,956 items digitised (70% increase), 2,706 items audited 2 Journals published

Our Communities 10 public events with 429 attendees 22 Artothek loans for students - receiving Victorian Museums & Galleries Small Project of the Year

Strategy Point Impact

1.1 Embed active, authentic and applied learning as RMIT’s signature pedagogy

1.2 Scale a transdisciplinary curriculum architecture shaped by RMIT’s values and expertise

1.3 Build inclusive support and experiences for all learning pathways

2.3 Scale up applied, transdisciplinary research

2.1 Deepen research impact culture and capabilities

2.5 Accelerate research translation and commercialisation

3.4 Use key RMIT locations as platforms for common growth

Provides hands-on, practical learning experiences

Supports interdisciplinary learning and collaboration

Promotes inclusive engagement in learning activities

Provides a broad foundation for transdisciplinary research initiatives

Enhances research infrastructure, supporting a culture of innovation and leadership

Expands accessibility and promotes knowledge dissemination

Facilitates the dissemination and application of research, contributing to academic and industry advancements

Integrates culture into everyday educational spaces

Utilises RMIT venues to enhance visibility and engagement with research and collections, fostering community and industry collaboration

Improves student experience, community and wellbeing whilst engaging with RMIT assets

Artothek Program: Enhancing Student Wellbeing & Community Connection

Following a successful trial, RMIT’s Artothek program officially launched in early 2024, facilitating 22 art loans to students throughout the year. This initiative strengthens RMIT’s esteemed reputation in art and design while promoting student wellbeing by offering a unique opportunity to experience art in their living spaces.

The program delivered significant social benefits, with 90% of participants reporting a greater sense of community and 99% feeling a deeper connection to shared history and culture.

Recognising its impact, the program received the Small Project of the Year (Museum) award at the Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards in October.

Transformative Student Learning Programs

In 2024, the Cultural Collections team saw an 80% increase in student and researcher engagement, driven by innovative teaching and learning strategies. While continuing to deliver intensive, collections-based studio programs in collaboration with lecturers, we also successfully piloted bespoke, tailored class visits.

These approaches enabled us to engage an additional 591 students across 18 programs, alongside four work-integrated learning initiatives and seven studio sessions.

A highlight of the year was a week-long program that welcomed 113 architecture students into the RMIT Design Archives, demonstrating our commitment to expanding educational opportunities through RMIT’s significant cultural collections and archives.

Partnerships & Engagement

RMIT Strategy Goal Key Metric

Learning Through Life & Work

33 internships, 28 with Industry partners

Research & Innovation for Impact

6 studios (3 of which had industry partners) reaching 64 students

15 single classes (5 of which had industry partners) reaching 532 students

14 Government and Industry partners

10 internal partners

Serving Our Communities

40 public events with 11,773 attendees

- 15 discussions

- 10 screenings

- 8 performances

- 5 programs

- 3 celebrations

First Nations partners and projects included Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival, The Daylight Connection, Na Djinang Circus and Kajoo Yannaga

Strategy Point Impact

1.1 Embed active, authentic and applied learning as RMIT’s signature pedagogy

2.2 Foster partnerships for sustained impact at scale

2.1 Deepen research impact culture and capabilities

3.4 Use key RMIT locations as platforms for common growth

Building work-placed learning for students with key industry leaders

Embedding industry engagement into coursework with measured public outcomes

Building multiple pathways for industry engagement in coursework

Strengthening strong relationships between RMIT and industry leaders in a range of fields

Establishing and strengthening relationships that provide a platform for research translation and student engagement

Showcases partnerships that promote RMIT values and research using key venues, promoting public engagement and community

4.3 Accelerate sustainable development in the Asia Pacific through inclusive partnership

Embedding responsible practice within industry partnerships

ASEAN-Australia Summit: A Platform for Creative Cross-Cultural Exchange

The Partnerships team, in collaboration with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and RMIT’s International team, conceived and delivered a cultural showcase at The Capitol celebrating the deep and diverse ties between Australia and ASEAN Member States. Part of the Emerging Leaders Program for the ASEAN–Australia conference, the event highlighted RMIT’s commitment to regional collaboration and provided a platform for the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International, to engage with regional Emerging Leaders and Australia’s Deputy Foreign Minister.

The showcase opened with a keynote address by award-winning author and RMIT Adjunct Professor Alice Pung OAM, setting the tone for an inspiring evening. This was followed by a moving collaborative dance performance, Memories of Suspended Places, featuring Lucy Guerin Inc, Georgia Rudd (Australia) and Riyo Tulus Pernando (Indonesia).

A dynamic public talk concluded the event, bringing together Filipino-Australian artist Andy Butler, arts leader Amrit Gill, Chamber Made Executive Producer Kylie McRae, and RMIT Vietnamese-Australian Advisor Nina McLean. The panel explored the value of cross-cultural artistic collaboration, offering practical insights into the frameworks and pathways that support creative exchange.

This successful initiative underscored the importance of cultural partnerships in fostering regional understanding and provided a meaningful platform for dialogue, creativity and international engagement.

City North Innovation Precinct Activation: Partnering for a More Creative, Connected City

The Partnerships team supported RMIT’s vision for a Social Innovation Precinct by activating Cardigan Street for a full day of community-focused programming. In collaboration with the Policy, Strategy and Impact (PSI) team, we worked with partners and internal stakeholders to bring the space to life, showcasing RMIT’s innovation and research in creative, accessible ways.

We partnered with key cultural organisations including the Environmental Films Australia (EFA), Melbourne Fringe, and Melbourne International Games Week to highlight the work of RMIT researchers and students. This initiative formed part of RMIT’s broader strategy to foster community engagement in the city’s north.

The vibrant mix of installations and performances featured on the day included:

• Future Foods, showcasing Helen AddisonSmith’s work with the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre

• The Centre for Digital Ecosystems’ immersive Dynamic Forest experience, installed by Erik North

• Student-made short films and EFA’s speculative program exploring possible shared futures

• Trashion, a presentation by RMIT Sustainable Innovation students transforming upcycled materials into wearable art

• Social innovation robots sparking curiosity and conversation

• Live street performances by Fringe artists

• Troy Innocent’s Future Play Lab, bringing liveaction role play (LARP) to Cardigan Street in a megacity of 2050

• The launch of Composite City, a speculative fiction anthology featuring site-specific stories from RMIT academics across disciplines

This dynamic activation demonstrated the power of creative collaboration in shaping inclusive, forwardthinking urban communities.

Opportunities

In 2024, RMIT Culture offered a number of creative residencies, including:

11

McCraith House Residencies

In partnership with leading cultural organisations, McCraith House residencies support researchers and cultural practitioners across disciplines by championing inclusion, collaboration, and innovation, and offering space and time to immerse in their practice amid the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula.

Graduate Residencies

The RMIT Culture Artist Residency Program supported six recent Honours and Masters graduates through its ongoing Graduate Residency Program, designed to help them take the crucial next step into independent practice.

International Residencies

AIR – ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Niederösterreich, Krems

AIR is a reciprocal international residency program open to artists, architects, writers, animators, designers and sound/experimental musicians, offering successful applicants a studio apartment and stipend to support their research project.

Braunschweig University of Art (HBK)

THE HBK teaching exchange is a program hosted by the RMIT School of Art, where visiting staff from RMIT and HBK engage with students through direct teaching in selected programs and are offered an RMIT Culture residency studio for the duration of their stay.

Grants & Prizes

In 2024, RMIT Culture awarded three important grants, prizes and commissions:

RMIT Australian Screen Research Collection Fellowship

The annual RMIT Australian Screen Research Collection (RMIT ASRC) Fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to engage with the RMIT ASRC’s extensive holdings, encouraging projects that both promote the collection and critically engage with archival representation. RMIT Culture awarded the 2024–25 ASRC Fellowship to Dr. Alicia Byrnes (University of Melbourne) for her project In Process: Women’s Film Activities in Australia, which explores the work of pivotal women’s film collectives from 1970 to 1990.

The 2024 Capitol Commission

The 2024 Capitol Commission was The Waiting Room by Martine Corompt and Camilla Hannan, a multidisciplinary performance work created exclusively for The Capitol that reimagines the traditions of cinema through video, animation, live experimental music, surround sound and interactive theatre. It was commissioned through the Capitol Innovation Fund, which supports applied, practice-based creative projects at The Capitol, and coincided with The Capitol’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

Cultural Visions Grant

The Cultural Visions Grant supports an RMIT student who wishes to make an artistic piece that explores the dynamics and exchange of culture within Australia—past, present and/or future. RMIT Culture awarded the 2024 grant to Communications (Media) student Olivia Crawford. Her documentary project explores the dynamics within diverse cultural communities, highlighting contrasts in awareness, identity, and connection— while celebrating the enduring friendship that binds them all.

Our people

Amy Harrington Director Philanthropy & Public Engagement

GALLERIES

Helen Rayment Manager, Galleries

Andrew Tetzlaff Senior Curator

Julia Powles Exhibition Coordinator, Galleries

Elise Barton Creative Project Officer

Lisa Linton Engagement Coordinator, Galleries

Michaela Bear Curatorial Assistant

Celine Saoud Exhibition Assistant

Louise Meuwissen Exhibition Assistant

Alex Bloom Exhibition Assistant

Jemima Penny Exhibition Assistant

PARTNERSHIPS & ENGAGEMENT

Ali Barker Manager, Cultural Partnerships & Engagement

Helen Withycombe Creative Producer, Partnerships

Jenny Branagan Partnerships Coordinator & Event Producer

COLLECTIONS

Elizabeth Marsden Manager, Cultural Collections

Jenna Blyth Collections Coordinator, RMIT Design Archives

Simone Rule Archives Officer, RMIT Design Archives

Ann Carew Curatorial Officer, RMIT Design Archives

Olympia Barron Collections Coordinator, RMIT Australian Screen Research Collection

Simon Strong Collections Officer, RMIT Australian Screen Research Collection

Nick Devlin Technical Collections Coordinator, RMIT Art Collection

Kate O’Connor Art Collection Officer

Grace Mooney Collections Assistant

Leah Martin Collections Assistant

BUSINESS, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & PRODUCTION

Ro Lynagh Manager, Business & Operations

Juliette Younger Communications & Digital Engagement Coordinator

Erik North Senior Production Coordinator

Simon Maisch

Technical Production Coordinator

Tim McLeod

Production Coordinator

CASUAL STAFF

Bec Bartlett

Casual Professional, Production Team

Pat Mooney

Casual Professional, Production Team

Robert Bridgewater

Casual Professional, Production Team

Jonty Ransome