Multicultural audience development expert, Donna Walker-Kuhne, will visit Australia in June to present a series of lectures and workshops.

“We can no longer expect arts institutions to survive in the long-term without some sophisticated, well-thought-out plan to embrace diverse audiences. There is tremendous competition, which will only increase from our techno society”. Donna Walker-Kuhne from Invitation to the Party – Building Bridges to the Arts, Culture and Community, 2006

Donna Walker-Kuhne is acknowledged by the Arts & Business Council of America as the nation’s leader in audience development. Her new book, Invitation to the Party is a best-seller in the North American arts industry.

Donna Walker-Kuhne inspires and challenges with arguments proving that marketing the arts to culturally diverse audiences and youth is a commercial imperative – not welfare.

Donna Walker-Kuhne works with numerous museums, galleries and arts councils throughout the US. She is a Professor in arts marketing at Columbia University, Brooklyn College and New York University. She has been nominated for the Ford Foundation’s Leadership for a Changing World Fellowship.

Beginning in Perth on 6 June 2007, her Australian tour will also include lectures in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane.

Ms Walker-Kuhne’s visit is part of the Australia Council for the Arts’ Leading Voices program