Cultural Work

Modern Art Projects Blue Mountains (MAPBM) is a not-for-profit incorporated association that supports and advocates for the development, production and exhibition of contemporary, multi-form art in the Blue Mountains. MAPBM also aims to foster an independent environment that supports the development and practice of contemporary artists and curators and to engage with the wider Blue Mountains community in developing a new critical agenda for contemporary art in the region. MAPBM was established by a group of predominantly Blue Mountains-based artists. It is run by artists, curators and others who are interested in, and dedicated to, the promotion and advocacy of contemporary art. MAPBM has partnered with a number of organisations in developing innovative exhibitions and projects and has received funding from the Blue Mountains City of the Arts Trust, Create NSW, Festivals Australia, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and a range of other agencies and foundations.

Blue Mountains based audio engineer, event organiser, drone pilot and musician. I got started in the creative industries while I was in high school volunteering at festivals, helping out at punk rock shows & producing the radio show Retro Rehash on RBM from 2017-2019. I started my professional career with KFM Media/Shelter Studio in 2019 where I still work today as a tech & in-house engineer at the Shelter Studio. To compliment my work there I also operate as a freelance audio/lighting engineer under the name 'Revy AV' working at several venues like Baroque Room & Station Bar in Katoomba, Fairmont Resort in Leura & the Ori in Springwood. While working in the industry I also studied and in 2023 I completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries at UWS with minors in audio production and public relations which gave me a much broader set of skills for my approach to my work. Throughout my career I have had a commitment to helping young artists. As a young musician, to have mentors & role models within the community to help realise my potential and forge my way in this industry was invaluable to me. So I see it as part of my role in this community to continue helping upcoming young artists. I have collaborated with Mountains Youth Services Team (MYST) on numerous projects, events and mentorship programs teaching young people how to record songs and set up live shows. In 2023 I ran a mentorship program that led into that years Winter Magic Festival where young people curated acts, set up and operated the audio and lighting for that year's youth stage. In 2024 I organised, curated and operated the Soul'd Out Youth Stage for the Winter Magic Indoors Festival collaborating with Dave from the Soul Side Cafe as well as MYST, RRT, Headspace and the ACRC. It was a massive weekend and one of my greatest achievements showcasing a whole day of young artists and a following day of local artists and regular performers at the Soul Side. In my spare time I am fascinated by aviation. I love learning about all things that go zoom and building model aircraft. So why not combine my love for flight and the creative industries? In 2022 I took the first step to do just that and got my RePL & AROC qualifications with a 25kg weight rating. So far I have only worked on one project as a drone pilot but it is of great interest to me and I see drones as being a large part of the future of the creative industries.

SIRC_UIT is the joint practice of Katrina Noorbergen and Jan M. Walter. Operating as a Creative Studio working at the intersections of art, technology, performance and architecture, SIRC_UIT collaborates with artists, musicians, curators and technologists across digital, analog and experimental art forms to explore and redefine our interactions with technology, bridging the gap between traditional art forms and the digital world. Katrina Noorbergen is a cultural producer, performance curator, and leading arts worker based in Western Sydney, on Dharug and Gundungurra Land. After a decade-long international career as a touring musician and published songwriter, Katrina returned to Australia in 2015. She has since worked in pivotal roles at Carriageworks, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and Create NSW. Katrina Noorbergen is the Program Curator for SIRC_UIT, championing experimental performance practices in unconventional spaces, uplifting emerging artists and fostering creative collaboration on the fringes. Jan M. Walter is a French/German audio-visual and installation artist based in Western Sydney, on Dharug and Gundungurra Land, and the Founder of SIRC_UIT. In his practice, he designs and constructs temporary architecture using lighting elements built from the ground up. Mixed with layers of found and reject materials as well as decommissioned technological infrastructure he creates large-scale immersive installations that are driven by custom hardware and software. His work is influenced by humanity's descent into technological abundance, the obsolescence of its own productivity and the absurdity of Moore's Law and what it leaves behind.. SIRC_UIT has and continues to collaborate with a multitude of artists and organisations to deliver boundary-pushing independent programming across Australia and beyond.

Coming soon.

After 20+ years in the arts as a muso/performer, my creative practice & passion is now crafting bespoke ceremonies & workshops as an Interfaith Minister, Funeral Director & Celebrant

Justin holds a Masters in Creative Industries from Western Sydney University and an Advance Diploma in Screen Media, Multiplatform Producing. He has experience in producing documentary content for television. In 2020, Justin was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore the artist-led makerspaces. In his background of film production, programming and production, he has worked for the Brisbane International Film Festival, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the Sydney Film Festival and the Antenna International Documentary Film Festival. He produced the award winning 30min documentary ‘Not a Willing Participant’ screened on ABC and the 1hour documentary, ‘A War of Hope’ with SBS/NITV. Most recently Justin has been the Exhibition Manager at Sculpture at Scenic World and formerly worked in the technical team for Sculpture by the Sea.

CREATIVE EVENT PRODUCER I have over twenty years’ experience in the events and entertainment industry, working in Sydney and London. Now based in the Blue Mountains. With a strong track record of producing events and activations of the very highest calibre, I specialise in managing large scale and complex projects in unique venues and outdoor spaces. From Sydney Opera House to London Zoo then the Australian Museum of Contemporary Art, I’ve had the privilege to work in some truly iconic locations. Creative and commercially-savvy, I combine strong logistics with a flair for design to deliver innovative and engaging experiences for a range of audiences.

I originally trained as an artist and have over 30 years’ experience working with contemporary art and audiences; positioned as a thought-leader around audience engagement within the global museum and gallery sector. In 2015 I moved from the UK to be Director Audience Engagement, MCA Australia, embedding creative learning, access and inclusion, research and evaluation across the organisation. I left the MCA in May 2023, to become a consultant supporting art and audiences; offering training, mentoring and consulting in contemporary art, visitor experience, interpretation, access and inclusion, audience engagement and development, and creativity and wellbeing. My approach is one of care, kindness, empathy and respect. I am also an experienced coach and mentor for creatives of all kinds and am currently coaching two artists based in the UK.