New to Vivid Sydney, Vivid Minds is where Art, Performance and Ideas collide. 

Expanding upon and reimagining the previous Ideas programming, Vivid Minds complements talks with festival-first artforms and events, including invigorating theatrical spectacles and immersive experiences. 

Minds curator Mitchell Oakley Smith runs us through five of his top picks, plus his most anticipated Light, Music and Food offerings.

Chloé Zhao: In Conversation

Thursday 28 May, 7.30-9pm, State Theatre

“Vivid Sydney has an incredible history of big-name filmmakers in its line-up – Spike Lee, Amy Poehler and Oliver Stone among them – and I’m so thrilled for that legacy to continue with the remarkable auteur Chloé Zhao behind Nomadland, Marvel’s Eternals and, most recently, Hamnet. 

She’s an Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe-winning director, of course, but more importantly she brings truth, honesty and emotion to important stories. This talk, which will be impeccably hosted by Kumi Taguchi, is not to be missed.”

Sean Baker: In Conversation

Sunday 7 June, 3-4.30pm, Sydney Town Hall

“If Chloé Zhao left you wanting more, we’re serving up yet another Academy Award-winning director the following week, with Sean Baker set to speak with Alexei Toliopoulos about what it’s like to make movies outside of the big Hollywood system. 

Though Baker’s most recent and highly-accoladed film Anora was a breakthrough success, he still believes in and makes his films independently, shining a light on those living on the margins of today’s increasingly divided society. It’s sure to be revelatory and inspiring.”

Jerry Saltz: In Conversation 

Thursday 4 June, 6.30-8pm, Sydney Town Hall

“How to Be an Artist, a 2018 column by New York Magazine’s senior art critic Jerry Saltz, sold nearly 400,000 print editions and garnered a quarter of a million online views (and counting). In 2020, Saltz expanded the column into a book of the same name, becoming an instant New York Times bestseller.

This sort of fervour speaks to the popularity of the plainspoken art critic and his witty advice and concise observations. In his first and only talk in Australia, Saltz will bring his signature zing to the stage at Sydney Town Hall with his intellectual match in art scholar Mary McGillivray.” 

The New Yorker’s Nicholas Blechman at Midweek Minds: The Engagement Generation

Wednesday 3 June, 6-7.30pm, State Library of New South Wales

“Long before working on festivals, I spent my days in magazine publishing, so the opportunity to hear from the award-winning, internationally respected creative director of The New Yorker, Nicholas Blechman, is high on my list.

The New Yorker is one of those must-read publications, even for us in Australia, and its illustrations and cover designs are incomparable. Blechman will deliver a keynote talk as part of our new series Midweek Minds, taking place each Wednesday at the State Library of NSW.”

Wonderverse

Friday 22 May – Saturday 13 June, multiple sessions, Australian National Maritime Museum

“This winter we’re bringing Vivid Sydney’s light indoors with Wonderverse: an awe-inspiring immersive ticketed experience for children and their families from the acclaimed Patch Theatre team.

This phenomenal adventure teaches young audiences about quantum physics in a fun, interactive way through music, light, play and theatre, bringing the magic of the festival into intimate sessions.”

Mitchell Oakley Smith’s picks for Vivid Light, Music and Food

Vivid Light: Mythical Mashup: The Graphic Worlds of Brian Robinson

Thursday 22 May – Saturday 13 June, 6-11pm, Australian National Maritime Museum

“A gorgeous triptych of water-based LED sculptures complements a striking building projection in a very worthy celebration of the work of First Nations artist Brian Robinson, fittingly displayed at the ANMM.

I love the dynamic collision of Greek, Roman and Indigenous mythologies that co-exist in Robinson’s graphic work. He’s also part of two Minds events at the ANMM: Sea Gathering, a free night of art, live music and more, plus panel Beyond The Bleach.”

Vivid Music: Clara La San

Thursday 11 June, 7.30-11pm, Metro Theatre

“I loved her debut album in 2024 so I’m thrilled that Clara La San is making her way to Sydney. You’ll find me at the Metro Theatre on one of the final nights of the festival to tune in for this modern R&B masterpiece.”

Vivid Food: A Shared Table with Yotam Ottolenghi

Friday 29 May, 6.30-11pm; Saturday 30 May, 12.30-5pm, ILUMINA

“After the sellout success of Nigella Lawson’s dinner series at last year’s festival, the team had a big job in finding a chef of such a benchmark for 2026.

Mission accomplished with Yotam Ottolenghi: the master of celebrating the lesser-known flavours and ingredients in our culinary palette. I’ve cooked his dishes for years and can’t wait to sample a menu that he has personally curated for Vivid Sydney.”