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Brisbane Airport has long been a committed partner to the Arts and culture scene in Brisbane, and 2025 will mark some exciting...
The Culture Crusader is on a mission to take art outside the gallery walls and into the community. Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Culture Crusader was founded by Pia Robinson, an arts sector veteran who lost one of her jobs during the pandemic and found the time and space to launch her own arts initiative.
A recent recipient of Brisbane Airport Corporation’s (BAC) Community Giving Fund, The Culture Crusader focuses on artist-led and community-led projects to bring art out of galleries into the public realm.
Pia explains why bringing art into the community is so important “There are a lot of barriers for people to go into cities and also into cultural spaces.”
The funding from the BAC grant went towards one of The Culture Crusader’s initiatives called Martin and Friends, working with local artist and proud ambassador of Autism QLD, Martin Edge.
“The idea for the project ‘Martin and Friends’ came to fruition when my child was in the diagnosis process for sensory processing disorder and attention deficient /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and we were finding it challenging to find safe spaces to enjoy art,” said Pia.
Martin and Friends involves a collaborative process between Martin and Pia, alongside other neurodivergent creatives, industry and experts, to deliver outcomes that are of the community, by the community, for the community #ofbyfor.
During the 2023 World Science Festival, The Culture Crusader introduced an innovative transformation to a painting by Martin Edge called 'Martin’s Painting Day’. This artwork was brought to life through animation that could be experienced through an augmented reality (AR) activation.
“By incorporating innovation and technology, like activating AR experiences through your own device, we extend access to art experiences, enabling them to be enjoyed virtually anywhere (resulting in the benefits of arts engagement to also be more accessible),” said Pia.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience art and by taking it to community we’re helping to break down barriers to access and increasing the reach of its benefits,” said Pia.
The BAC grant funding contributed to the ongoing augmented reality experience through the printed collateral and materials for the activation.
This installation as part of the World Science Festival’s Curiocity Brisbane offered viewers an immersive encounter with several of Martin's artworks transformed into expansive playscapes in South Bank's Picnic Garden. The art takes on a new dimension through augmented reality and invited viewers to explore Martin’s perspective on the world through his art.
The future plans for The Culture Crusader include taking the Martin and Friends program and experiences on tour to the world.
“We’ve been working with the City of Moreton Bay on a portable arts program called the Wonder Wagon. The Wonder Wagon delivers diverse artist-led experiences to communities in the Moreton Bay region,” said Pia.
“Our next activation is opening this week/16th December at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery with a playful and sensory exhibition ‘All the best, from Martin Edge’ where everyone is welcome. Visitors can experience the augmented reality activations, as well as safe sensory art experience co-created with other neurodivergent artists.
Pia explains how she heard about BAC’s grant and how it has enabled the community to solve problems through community-led initiatives.
“I was motivated to apply for the grant as I noticed the diversity of organisations as recipients and I could see there was an opportunity for our purpose-led arts engagements to tap into this community grant as the benefits and focus on enhancing community were aligned,” said Pia.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the Brisbane Airport Corporation, there are a lot of worthy organisations and causes and these types of grants are really important for community projects,” said Pia.
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