Are the arts in crisis? What does the future hold for creative companies, both large and small? Join us to discuss the changing face of arts funding, the impact of the recent cuts, and the response from artists and arts companies across Australia. The panel will include Michael Lynch CBE AM, Nick Atkins, Lily Shearer and Tamara Winikoff OAM. Michael Lynch CBE AM As one of Australia's most recognised and experienced arts administrators and cultural figures, Michael has lead some of Australia's most prominent arts companies including Sydney Theatre Company, the Australia Council for the Arts and the Sydney Opera House. From 2002 to 2009 he was chief executive of the South Bank Centre in London and has also served as Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and as a board member of Film Victoria. Michael was the CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong until 2015 and is now the chair of the Sydney Community Foundation.. Nick Atkins A theatre maker and producer, Nick is currently the Producer for Q Programs at The Joan and Board Member of PACT Centre for Emerging Artists. His work at The Q has seen him develop and implement the Young Artist Program. Previously Nick worked as the Associate Producer and Co-Artistic Director of Crack Theatre Festival. From this role he collaboratively programmed the festivals presentation, panel and masterclass series. Lily Shearer A proud citizen of the Murrwarri Republic and Ngemba Nation (north-west NSW/south-east QLD), Lily has over thirty years of experience in First Peoples Cultural Development, Arts Management and in theatre and performance making. She is currently a freelance performance artist, cultural collaborator and a founding and volunteer member of the Mooghalin Artistic Directorate. Tamara Winikoff OAM Tamara Winikoff is Executive Director of the National Association of Visual Arts (NAVA) and well known in Australia as an arts advocate, cultural commentator and senior arts manager. Tamara has been involved in arts management for over thirty years and has spoken, written and published extensively about cultural and design issues.