In her swan song as a host for The Three Bells, Criena Gehrke speaks with two leading figures in Calgary’s arts and culture scene, Alex Sarian (President & CEO, Arts Commons) and Nicholas R. Bell (President & CEO, Glenbow Museum).

In this episode of The Three Bells, our host, Criena Gehrke sits down with Senior Architect Naseema Asif and Studio Director Peter Emerson, from international design collective RIOS. The two share their insights on what goes into making a project successful, from incorporating evolution to exploring unanticipated angles and embracing a touch of 'messiness' throughout the process.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke talks with Elly Andriopoulou, Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The two discuss the origins and evolution of SNFCC – as well as its early successes, stemming from a strong vision of enacting social impact and the ambition to be a cultural center for all. Criena wraps up the episode with her thoughts on Australia’s recently released National Cultural Policy.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Ramon Marrades, urban economist and Director at Placemaking Europe. The two explore creative bureaucracy, how to create a strong public policy, if strategies should shift post-covid, Placemaking Week Europe 2022 in Pontevedra (27-30 Sept), and much more.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, about The Bentway’s artful and playful approach to activating public spaces – as illustrated by their 2021 Playing in Public season and accompanying Play Provocations resource that encourages cities to become more play-friendly. After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive of the Powerhouse Museum in Australia. They unpack the visionary approach she has crafted over her career of shaping cultural institutions and precincts into culturally and commercially vibrant hubs. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District. They talk about the importance of collaboration amongst cultural leaders and institutions, especially in times of crisis, in enabling resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – as illustrated by the We Are Dallas Arts initiative. After, Stephanie is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Kingsley Jayasekera, former Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, at the West Kowloon Cultural District. They reflect on his near decade-long experience in Hong Kong and discuss the importance of cultivating arts audiences through creating holistic customer experiences – and using social media for outreach and engagement. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue. After, Criena is joined Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Manal Ataya, the Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority. They discuss the educational value of the arts, particularly in terms of promoting inclusivity and diversity as well as cultivating empathy. After, Criena is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesse Cameron Alick, about his recently published study, commissioned by the Sundance Institute, based on extensive interviews of artists, arts administrators and thought leaders. The focus is the state of live performance as we 'emerge from the cave' of Covid. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research and Analysis at the NEA in the US, about the increasing global demand for research, information and statistics to demonstrate the value of the arts. They also discuss the need for more longitudinal and qualitative research, especially community-based participatory studies. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Victoria Broackes, the Director of the London Design Biennale. Drawing on her curatorial experiences, they talk candidly about the challenges facing cultural programming. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with urbanist Ben Rogers about the differing factors influencing urban planning and policy today. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

In this inaugural episode, our host Adrian Ellis, speaks with Claire Spencer, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne. Afterwards, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

In this bonus pilot episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Adrian Ellis, Founder and Chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN) about the origins of the podcast. Afterwards, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.