The research creations showcase : spanning the boundaries of a university-led curatorial engagement practice in Western Sydney : a case study in engaged and dynamic partnership within a regional creative arts ecosystem

Since 2015 the Research Creation Showcase has been an annual event on Western Sydney University's (WSU) Research Week calendar. It is a collaborative initiative that draws together academics, artist-scholars, students, and local arts organisations to participate in a multi-disciplinary exhibition and knowledge exchange focused on emergent and established creative practices including screen media, writing, fashion, visual arts, music and design. The curatorial methodology blends art making and scholarship, community engagement, gallery thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset, while emphasising the university's position as an 'anchor institution' that aims to increase access and participation in cultural activity across the region. Western Sydney is one of the most densely populated and culturally and linguistically regions in Australia, and a significant contributor to arts and cultural activities. Yet as the 2023 'State of the Arts in Western Sydney' report outlines, investment, resourcing and educational access to the arts remains historically low. The Research Creation Showcase aims to catalyse and support impactful creative scholarship and practice to develop and promote high-quality research in the region and situate the University as an incubator and champion for the arts, cultural identity and expression.