Join creatives from across the country in Melbourne to re-imagine mission delivery through the arts and creative practice.
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Arts Engagement Conference 2025
SAVE THE DATE 14-16 AUGUST
Save the date for the third annual community arts engagement conference in Melbourne Australia. The must-attend event for missional creatives who want to reach out through the arts to build healthy, caring and sustainable communities.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER - DAVE ADAMSON (AUSSIE DAVE)
Dave Adamson is an Australian pastor, photographer, author, content creator, and YouTuber and Director of YouVersion Australia.
After spending eight years as a national TV reporter for Channel Ten’s Sports Tonight, Dave moved his family to the US in 2008 to go into full-time ministry. He was one of the first online pastors in the US, has started and grown online services with more than 80,000 weekly participants across the world, and has led online communities at two of the largest, and fasted growing churches in the US.
Dave has a clear, practical communication style that has allowed him to partner with churches across the US and around the world, reach hundreds of thousands of people on his YouTube channel each month, and more than 50,000 on his Instagram account every day. A sought after keynote and breakout speaker Dave specializes in teaching churches how to leverage technology to engage and connect with the next generation, and communicating the cultural context of the Bible—a topic he has covered in two books; “52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know” and “Chasing The Light”. He has also published several reading plans on the @YouVersion bible app, which have been completed by more than 500,000 people. Dave’s lates book Metachurch focuses on leveraging digital ministry to reach people and make disciples.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE - WILL SMALL
Will Small is a 3X Australian Poetry Slam National Finalist, the author of Poems for When the World is Ending and founding director of Lead by Story.
Will's work is motivated by a fundamental belief that story can change the way we view and live in the world. From creatively directing fundraising campaigns and producing short films, to facilitating team workshops and performing his unique blend of thoughtful spoken word poetry, Will is a sought after Australian voice, widely known for weaving together philosophical and personal reflections in deeply moving ways.
Will is currently touring This is How We Survive, a full length show weaving live poetry and storytelling with cinematic short films and a powerful message.
Will also hosts the popular Spiritual Misfits podcast.
THIS IS HOW we SURVIVE
TO BE HERE,
TO BE HUMAN,
IS TO survive
THIS IS HOW we SURVIVE is an experience that weaves together spoken word poetry, short cinematic films, immersive soundscapes and live STORYTELLING to help people experience a deep sense of interconnectedness and collective strenth.
We are very excited that Will Small will be presenting this experience as part of CAE25.
WATCH THE TRAILER
PRE CONFERENCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
This pre-conference two day training Thursday 14 - Friday 15th facilitated by the Corp-based social services team - will provide your team with the keys to contribute, connect and learn to empower your local community with an emphasis on arts-based community development.
Be among the first to experience this missional trainining that has been developed to ensure we are supporting those who need it most, walking side by side with those doing it tough.
Welcome to C^E25 at The Treacy Centre Melbourne
The Mission Support Department and Worship Arts Australia welcome delegates to C^E24 held at the Treacy Conference Centre, set in an elegant Victorian mansion and gardens located in the delightful surrounds of Melbourne's Royal Park. Just three minutes from the Melbourne CBD at 126 The Avenue, Parkville VIC. Interstate delegates will enjoy accomodation within walking distance included in your conference package.
Accomodation for interstate and regional delegates travelling more that two hours will be at the Parkmore Hotel a short 50 meter walk from the Treacy Centre.
Public Transport Options:
Tram
Tram 19 from Elizabeth Street to Walker Street, (stop 16), is a quick, pleasant and easy ride from the city.
Train
The Upfield Train will take you to Royal Park Station. This train runs from all city stations, at intervals of 20 minutes. The victrip time table is available online at: www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables.
Parking:
On weekdays between 7:30am and 6:30pm there is 11-hour meter parking available along The Avenue (park side) and also in Walker Street. The parking machines take coins or credit card and they use the paystay app https://app.easypark.net/
Royal Parade also offers limited parking.
Parking is also available at the Melbourne Zoo located closest to The Avenue, on Elliott Avenue, which is only a short work from Treacy Centre.