ICS Seminar Series - Pablo Fuentenebro and Donald McNeill
Date: Thursday 28 May 2015
Time: 11.30am - 1pm
Venue: EE.G.36, Western Sydney University, Parramatta South campus
Pablo Fuentenebro and Donald McNeill
Arts Philanthropy and Urban Redevelopment: Towards a Critical Geography
Abstract
This presentation builds on recent work on 'geographies of the super-rich' (Hay and Muller; Beaverstock et al) on the need to develop a critical geography of philanthropists and philanthropic practice, particularly in terms of its injection of various types of capital, political influence, and cultural leadership to the arts. Our particular focus is on the relationship between arts philanthropy and urban redevelopment. This is topical given a recent growth within Australia of philanthropic interventions: David Walsh's funding of MONA; the foundation of White Rabbit gallery in Sydney; and James Packer's announced contributions to Sydney arts. This presentation, working without the constraints of such engaged work, draws on the ongoing research interests of the two presenters: an interest in the case studies of Eli Broad's protagonism in the Los Angeles art world; and the political economy of the Bilbao Guggenheim. Drawing closely on a study of Broad and Los Angeles, the presentation will provide an overview of some key issues in arts philanthropy and urban redevelopment, including the commissioning and design of major gallery buildings; the influence on curation and acquisition; the composition of the board, and the power relationships within it; how the philanthropic endowment relates to public policy, especially arts and economic development policy; and how the philanthropic contribution relates to taxation policy.
Biographies
Pablo Fuentenebro is an Endeavour Research Fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. He is on a special leave from his work with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya. Pablo holds a PhD in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. His doctoral dissertation focused on the cultural dimension of urbanisation, looking at the ways cities use architecture and cultural infrastructures to promote urban growth and regeneration, with a particular emphasis on modern art museums.
Donald McNeill is Professor of Urban and Cultural Geography at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. He is a recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship. His work is located at the intersection of human geography, economic sociology, spatial planning, and urban design and architecture, with a particular interest in the political and cultural economy of globalisation and cities.
