The Art of Adaptation: Culture Changes Everywhere
KSCA has turned 10!
In 2016, a group of us decided that the fictional ‘School of Cultural Adaptation’ - a product of Ian Milliss’ astute imagination - was worth realising in the real world. As it turned out, the idea that Cultural Adaptation can happen anywhere, anytime, with love and not much money, wasn’t just inspiring to us. A string of projects tumbled out in the following years, made with incredible community-minded people all over the place. We had discovered an effervescent creative force not usually acknowledged in the art world.
To mark this anniversary, Manly Art Gallery and Museum are staging a survey exhibition of KSCA projects, which will then travel to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre later in the year. We are of course thrilled, honoured and filled with nervous anticipation! The show is called The Art of Adaptation: Culture Changes Everywhere.
KSCA has tended to be more comfortable working in the paddock and the creek than the art institution, and we are most at home when there’s a mob of community asking questions, telling us how to do it better and enjoying the ride. How then to bring this spirit of making and doing into the white-walled gallery? It’s been quite the puzzle, but with some persistent wrangling and the patient support of curators Ben Rak and Katherine Roberts, we got there. Some fresh recent projects are in the mix, and there are activations, workshops and a forum too. We can’t wait to see you all!
Participating artists are: Diego Bonetto, Laura Fisher, Lucas Ihlein, Ian Milliss, Georgina Pollard, Imogen Semmler, Peter Swain, Leanne Thompson, Erika Watson, Kim Williams, Alex Wisser and Vickie Zhang. Contributing members to KSCA over the past decade include Gilbert Grace, Eloise Lindeback, Sarah Breen Lovett, Christine MacMillan, Emmanuela Prigioni and Kelly Reiffer.
Gallery link for updated info is here !
Exhibition dates: April 10 - June 2026
Location: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 1a West Esplanade, Manly.
Opening Night! Friday April 10, 6 - 8pm.
Hooray for veteran Landcare coordinator and Capertee Valley local Julie Gibson, who will launch the exhibition! Julie was a valiant collaborator across several KSCA projects and is one of our heroes. Grassroots collective action - for community, for land, for biodiversity - doesn’t happen in Australia without people like Julie.
There are workshops, activations and a forum too, we will share info on this asap!
