Gillian Nicol
Profile
My experience covers over 30 years of working in the art world, in the UK and Australia: as an artist, workshop facilitator, program manager, director, trainer, mentor, coach, lecturer and consultant.
I moved to Sydney from the UK in July 2015 to work at the MCA, as Director of Audience Engagement, taking a leadership role in shaping an Australia that values art and artists. I left the MCA in May 2023, and now run my own consultancy, coaching artists and supporting cultural organisations through research, training and advice. In particular, I am very experienced in making contemporary art accessible.
As a recognised global voice on art and audiences, I bring deep knowledge and experience to cultural organisations of all kinds, big or small, to support them as places that foster well-being, inclusion, diversity and connection.
Projects
1. Desktop Review commissioned by Creative Australia to provide an Arts and Disability Needs Analysis and Audit – an extensive 130 page report providing key insights into the critical service needs in the arts and disability sector in Australia. Working with Morwenna Collett to provide recommendations in a final report to Creative Australia. July – Nov 2023.
2. Artful Program evaluation report commissioned by Achieve Australia and co-authored with Morwenna Collett. In 2023, Achieve Australia launched Artful – a new pilot for a national, inclusive and accessible art program, consisting of workshops and an online Art Prize as a platform for creative expression for all people, with and without disability. Arts and disability consultants Morwenna Collett and Gill Nicol were engaged to conduct an evaluation of this program, to review the program’s impact and opportunities for future improvements. June 2023 – Feb 2024.
3. Creation of a Gateways THiNK Masterclass, focusing on contemporary art. Designed for early secondary students to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world and encouraging cross-disciplinary creative thinking. Dec 2023 – ongoing.
4. Initiation of a new art and wellbeing offer for the contemporary art sector in Australia, particularly with regional galleries, around wellbeing experiences. Delivered by Gill Nicol, supported by Hannah Surtees, in collaboration with the organisation. Training for museum / gallery staff is also available, delivered by Gill. On offer are a range of approaches, depending on the context and the organisation’s needs and strategies, for example if there are artworks outside, there can be a focus on green wellbeing. Community specific programs can be co-developed ie for young people, families, people with disability. November 2023 – ongoing.
5. Chair of an online global art and wellbeing network of learning coordinators based in contemporary art museums and galleries across South America, USA, Europe and the UK. Set up to share ideas, thoughts and case studies on working with audiences and well-being. Jan 2023 – ongoing
CONTACT INFORMATION
Gill NicolHazelbrook
Hazelbrook NSW
Phone: 0419969089
OPERATION AND STAFFING
Year Commenced: 2023Number of Staff: 1
Staff Basis: Sole Operator
AICCM member: N/A
GST Registered?: Yes
ABN: 16469365041