$8,000 in 2008 to bring three key artists to Open House: 14th Biennial Ausglass Conference, Canberra.

The Foundation’s grant brought three internationally acclaimed artists to the Ausglass conference in Canberra: Janet Laurence, a high profile Australian artist who is internationally renowned; Silvia Levenson, born in Argentina and now living in Italy, who is one of the world’s most established visual artists working in glass; and Julie Conway, an artist and environmentalist from the USA.

‘All three artists attended the conference program including social functions, thereby facilitating a broad and continuing exchange of ideas and technical expertise with all conference registrants. The benefits derived from this project are both short and long term. Janet Laurence’s address was key in providing a critical evaluation of the extended possibilities of glass in a sculptural environment.

Silvia Levenson’s unique approach to her work practice provided an outstanding lecture, as did her demonstration. Her workshop was fully attended. Julie Conway raised awareness of sustainability and energy consumption, promoting continuing debate and discussion throughout the conference. This issue was so popular it will be further addressed at our next conference in Tasmania in 2009.’
Maureen Williams, President Ausglass

As well, large numbers of the public viewed the demonstrations at the recently opened Canberra Glassworks resulting in an increased awareness of contemporary glass art in Canberra.

University of Tasmania

$6,000 in 2008 to bring keynote speakers to The Evolution of Parental Effects: Conceptual Issuse and Empirical Patterns, University of Wollongong.

At the end of the conference the organisers believed they had achieved the aim of bringing together leading theoretical and empirical researchers working on plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, in a forum for discussion and where there was a free exchange of ideas on the evolution of parental effects. The organisers were able to increase the profile of evolutionary biology in Australia by giving many early career researchers the opportunity to interact with the international speakers who are world leaders in the area. Many long-term collaborations were initiated between Australian and international delegates.

The University of Melbourne

$20,000 in 2008 to support keynote speakers for a Melbourne Conversation as part of the 32nd congress of the International Committee of the History of Art, Melbourne.

Seven hundred people from fifty countries participated in the 32nd Congress of the International Committee of the History of Art: Crossing Cultures – Conflict, Migration and Convergence. Two hundred and twenty-five papers were given, some of which will be included in the proceedings of the Congress, to be published by Melbourne University Publishing on the anniversary of the Congress in January 2009.

The Foundation’s grant was used to support the Melbourne Conversation, a free public event, which brought the themes of the Congress to a wider audience.