The Cad Factory presents 'Becoming the Future'

The Cad Factory, Music NSW, National Museum of Australia, Manchester Metropolitan University, the Department of Primary Industries and Create NSW present  Becoming the Future, an intimate seminar series that makes world leaders available to regional artists.

This program is the inevitable accumulation of the past eight-years of Cad Factory work addressing issues of access in regional NSW; access to new ideas, knowledge, experience and national/international thinking. Our program attempts to break down hierarchies of city/country by focusing the skills and attention of world leaders and peak bodies into regional NSW.

Becoming the Future features Susan Rogers, Clive Parkinson, Joni Adamson and Tony Birch because they are recognised world-wide as leaders; they have had significant impact and contributed to their area of expertise; and their work intersects with the work of the Cad Factory.

In 2019, Susan Rogers will present on music production and cognition, Clive Parkinson will present on arts and health, while Joni Adamson and Tony Birch will present on Environmental Humanities and our river systems.

The first two events in the Becoming the Future series will be held by Susan Rogers from Boston, USA. Susan comes to Narrandera: 26 - 28 May.

Susan is a pioneering female record producer, engineer, mixer and audio electronics technician whose credits include Prince, Talking Heads, Tricky and Barenaked Ladies. As well as being a world renowned record producer and engineer, Susan is a behavioural neuroscientist who explores the psychology of music and how the brain is affected by sound.

Susan will deliver a workshop and seminar while she is in Narrandera.

Music Production for Women
Sunday 26 May and Monday 27 May, 10am - 5pm
The Cad Factory Studio

The Music Production workshop demonstrates how a producer and engineer think during a recording session. Lessons on arrangement, timbre, sound choices, performance, and artistic collaboration are explained in the studio as a recording takes shape.

This workshop is suited for people who have intermediate to advanced technical proficiency working in a recording studio. It is aimed at women wanting to develop their careers as a professional engineer and/or producer.

There are eight places available for this workshop, with four places prioritised for women living in regional locations.

More information and complete the Expression of Interest form

Music Cognition
Tuesday 28 May, 10am - 3pm
Narrandera Arts and Community Centre

The Music Cognition seminar discusses psychology for music makers. It will examine music from the listener’s and the record maker’s perspectives. Topics include music and: emotion, personality, preferences, creativity, aesthetics, health, and collaboration.

This seminar is suited for artists, musicians, engineers and producers who are interested in music, sound, neurology or perception.

There are twenty-five places available for this seminar, with fifteen places prioritised for artists living in regional locations. 

More information and complete the Expression of Interest form 

The third event in their Becoming the Future series is a seminar with Clive Parkinson from Lancaster, UK. Clive comes to Narrandera: 15 - 16 June The Cad Factory,

Parkinson is the Director of the Institute for Arts, Health and Social Change at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has championed health equality across Europe through his advocacy work and arts practice.

This unique opportunity will be co-presented with the Cad Factory's Vic McEwan and allows for two days of intimate talks and exploratory sessions aimed specifically at artists wishing to work in the context of community, health and social change. Artists attending will be required to discuss their practice and future projects with the group. There are twenty places available for this seminar, with twelve places prioritised for people living in regional locations.

You will be required to submit an Expression of Interest form by 29 April 2019. You will be notified on Monday 6 May if you have been selected. Up to ten selected NSW regional artists will receive $100 towards covering their accommodation and travel costs.

Contemporary arts practice, health and social change
15 and 16 June 2019, 10am - 6pm
Narrandera Arts and Community Centre, NSW


More information and complete the Expression of Interest form


This is a partnership between the Cad Factory and Manchester Metropolitan University. It is supported by Create NSW, Sidney Myer Fund and Bendigo Bank Narrandera