In this public talk, panelists will discuss the role of emotion in curatorial practise and organisational management, including: is emotion acceptable? Is acceptance of emotion in response to roles in the arts a feminist, cultural and/or academic issue? How can emotion help people be more effective in the arts? Do artefacts and art have emotional agency inside of an institution? And are we misrepresenting makers by assigning our own emotional responses to their work?

Abby Cunnane is the Director of The Physics Room. Abby has developed a curatorial and writing practice in Aotearoa, working both independently and in institutional roles, most recently as Director (acting), at St Paul St Gallery, School of Art and Design, Auckland University of Technology 2017-18, and prior as Assistant Director, 2013-17. In 2018 she completed a practice-led MPhil in curatorial writing. Alongside curating, she has held research and editorial roles, and is the co-founder of The Distance Plan journal (with artist Amy Howden-Chapman). Abby has recently completed two years of study, Te Rōnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Terri Elder is the Curator of the Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities & James Logie Memorial Collection at University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Formerly the Art Curator for UC, Terri also has a strong interest and involvement in community museums throughout Aotearoa NZ and recently spearheaded a survey into historic artefacts at UC in advance of its 150th anniversary.

Barbara Garrie is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art and HoD of Art History and Theory at University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Her current research focuses on the intersection of art history and material culture, with a particular emphasis on aspects of contemporary art practice. This research has three developing but related threads: art & material culture in post-quake Christchurch; history and theory of the artist's book; and contemporary photography.