THE COMPANY
ArtsPeople creates opportunities for people to engage with art.
Taking inspiration from Japan, we work to create a society where arts and culture are embedded in everyday life.
‘Arts Company’ meets ‘Arts Consultancy’, we create our own arts productions for a range of Festivals and Museums, and collaborate with clients to develop and deliver theirs.
As Curators, we work with Japanese and Australian artists to bring art down off the walls and stages and into your world. Together, we create immersive, meaningful arts experiences.
As Cross-cultural Consultants, we bridge your connection to Japan – one of the world’s most stimulating, challenging and rewarding markets.
From participatory art events and exhibitions, to talks, workshops and everything in-between, we create dynamic experiences to enrich and inspire.
Responding to the needs of your project, we assemble the best creative talents from Australia and Japan.
We are curators, producers, speakers, consultants, strategists, programmers, connectors.
We are arts people.
THE STORY
ArtsPeople was
founded to play a role in the new (art) world
order – where people’s expectations for how they connect with art & design are growing exponentially.
"Building human connection through art-making is what ArtsPeople is all about. Deeply engaging with another culture like Japan's allows you to meaningfully reflect on your own; its value and areas for improvement.
ArtsPeople wants to open up this cross-cultural engagement to others. That includes celebrating the important role that Japan’s analogue, hand-made approach to art plays in fostering community and intergenerational relationships, by translating it to new audiences, in new ways.
Art is also a tool to grapple with the challenges of this fast-paced modern era—by taking cues from other cultures, and incorporating creativity into our daily lives.
Art has always been a safe and playful entry point into issues that move or challenge us, a space between the artist’s vulnerability and our own. It is a tool for empathy, escapism, and sensorial engagement, which is intuitive to children but lost on many adults.
What does it mean for us to join an artist in the space they’ve created, to play, make and wonder? To feel, imagine and connect?
This is ultimately what ArtsPeople offers: hands-on experiences that reignite creativity in all ages, through activities that are more than just entertainment."
– Kathryn Hunyor, ArtsPeople Founder
THE PEOPLE
Kathryn Hunyor
Director & Founder
Kathryn is a Japanese-speaking Creative Director & Producer, Consultant and Speaker.
She collaborates directly with artists and presenters to create contemporary art projects between Sydney & Tokyo, and beyond. She also works as a consultant with some of Australia’s major arts companies including the Australian Chamber Orchestra & Sydney Opera House.
Former Head of Creative Programs at the Australian Design Centre, Kathryn led the ADC’s artistic program, devising and commissioning key curatorial, learning & audience engagement projects.
Previously Cultural Officer at the Australian Embassy Tokyo, Kathryn managed the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s cultural diplomacy efforts in Japan. She holds a Bachelor of Asian Studies & Masters in Japanese Literature from the University of Sydney.
Since late 2022 Kathryn manages ArtsPeople while on a PhD scholarship at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) researching the symbiosis of art and business in Japan 1880 – 2030.
Narelle Lewis
Senior Producer
Narelle is a Senior Producer with broad experience across programming, touring and new work development. She works as Creative Producer at the Australian Museum developing public programs and engagement initiatives, while also consulting to independent artists and small arts companies.
Her expertise extends across governance, project management, and artistic and market development. She also serves as Chair of FORM Dance Projects in Western Sydney.
Previously a Producer at Performing Lines, Narelle collaborated with a wide range of organisations including Sydney Opera House, Sydney & Darwin Festivals, QPAC, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Arts House & Performance Space. Prior to this Narelle ran Ransom Productions theatre company in Northern Ireland.
| Public Art & Design
Rina Bernabei
Curator
Rina is a designer, academic and curator with 30 years’ design experience. She has worked in studios in Sydney and Milan and collaborated with architects on custom projects.
In 2002 she co-founded interior product design company bernabeifreeman with Kelly Freeman. Their acclaimed products have won numerous awards and feature in journals and exhibitions both locally and internationally, including as part of the permanent collection at The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
Rina is also an academic with the Faculty of the Built Environment UNSW, where she teaches and publishes research in the field of emotional design.
Luke Suivi
Digital Producer
Luke is a digital media producer and content creator, with a Bachelor of Digital Media from Macleay College.
He manages website content, social media and digital marketing. Luke assists creators in OBS (Open Broadcast System), content creation and analytics.
In 2018 he published the first episode of his ongoing ‘In Summary’ series on YouTube, garnering a significant viewership.
Luke spends most of his spare time live-streaming and publishing his analysis of film and anime.
Zara Zadro
Editor & Content Producer
Zara is a freelance writer and copy editor in her final year of a Bachelor of Media & Communications and English at the University of Sydney. She edited Honi Soit in 2022, USyd’s reputable weekly student newspaper, where she engaged in news writing, social media content creation, and publication design.
Zara has written for and edited many other student publications including ARNA, 1975, Vertigo and Pulp. She has also written content for Art of Smart.
Zara plans to begin her Honours in English at USyd in August 2023. She currently works part-time at Gleebooks and spends her free time reading and thrifting.
Our Team
Sydney/Tokyo
ArtsPeople’s team is made up of talented artists, curators, producers, designers, writers, photographers and videographers.
As a small independent company, we like to support freelance and independent creatives from across Australia and Japan.
With an extensive network spanning all artforms, we always manage to find the perfect collaborator for every project.