Creative Trailblazers

Inspiration abounds with Vivid Minds’s headlining Creative Trailblazers – a series of five exclusive conversations, each with a world-leading creative. 

This year’s Trailblazers include Academy Award-winning filmmakers Chloé Zhao (Nomadland; Hamnet) and Sean Baker (Anora); Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz; best-selling author Roxane Gay; and music industry tastemaker Zane Lowe.

These one-night only ticketed events will illuminate, surprise and provide insight into five of our most fascinating minds. Discover more below.  

Zane Lowe: In Conversation – Sunday 24 May
Music industry tastemaker Zane Lowe dives deep into the sound of now, in a Vivid Sydney exclusive conversation with triple j Mornings host Lucy Smith. At City Recital Hall, they’ll dissect music’s most pressing issues, plus break down Lowe’s own process as an interviewer and Apple Music’s creative director, and how he builds trust with artists to tell their stories.  

Chloé Zhao: In Conversation – Thursday 28 May
Join Academy Award–winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao for her first appearance in Australia, following the global acclaim of Hamnet starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley — nominated for eight Academy Awards and winner of the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama. In a one-night-only event at the State Theatre as part of Vivid Sydney’s Creative Trailblazers series, Zhao will reflect on her remarkable career in conversation with award-winning journalist Kumi Taguchi.

Jerry Saltz: In Conversation – Thursday 4 June
Insightful, outspoken and refreshingly unpretentious art critic Jerry Saltz brings his razor-sharp wit to Sydney Town Hall in his first Australian appearance. The Pulitzer Prize-winner will cut through the rapidly shifting art world’s pressures, contradictions and possibilities with a keynote address, followed by a conversation with art historian Mary McGillivray.

Sean Baker: In Conversation – Sunday 7 June
The multi-Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Best Picture winner Anora and The Florida Project reflects on maintaining an independent spirit after mainstream success. Talking to film critic Alexei Toliopoulos at Sydney Town Hall, Sean Baker also dives into telling bold, authentic stories about sex workers and other misrepresented communities. 

Roxane Gay: In Conversation – Friday 12 June
Join prolific American author and cultural critic Roxane Gay at City Recital Hall for a conversation with Whadjuk Noongar journalist Narelda Jacobs OAM. A guiding voice of reason, clarity and empathy, Gay will dissect our current era of conflict and a dissolving centre, in a timely, expansive conversation that builds upon her body of work. 

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Midweek Minds

Midweek Minds

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The creative industries are undergoing unprecedented transformation, with a range of social, technological, economic and cultural forces changing the way and for whom we make art. Midweek Minds, taking place each Wednesday during Vivid Sydney, will host a series of rapid-fire keynotes that go behind-the-scenes of the artforms at the forefront of change and explore the creative processes of leading designers, photographers, artists, animators and architects.

Our Shared Future

Food

Join OzHarvest for a dinner series at Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney, featuring seven of NSW’s most exciting chefs in one-night-only collaborations with Refettorio’s team. A celebration of rescued ingredients and social change, each evening features a unique four-course menu made using up to 95% beautiful, fresh and rescued NSW produce.

Vivid Sydney x Biennale of Sydney

Vivid Sydney x Biennale of Sydney

Music

Vivid Sydney presents three nights of innovative, left-of-centre music from across the globe at the awe-inspiring White Bay Power Station, as part of Biennale of Sydney’s Art After Dark.

Regional Dinner Series

Regional Dinner Series

Food

A citywide celebration of regional produce and talent. Across 12 events, acclaimed regional chefs collaborate with Sydney restaurants and chefs for one-off menus that hero their home’s ingredients, winemakers, brewers and more.

Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park

Tumbalong Kids

Little people, big fun. Get ready to sing, dance and play as Vivid Kids takes over Tumbalong Park every Saturday at 5pm throughout the festival, with fun concerts from childrens’ artists The Mik Maks, Benny Time, Jay Laga’aia and Angie Who.

Tumbalong Park stage

Tumbalong Nights

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Winter nights come alive with rhythm, energy and connection as Tumbalong Nights ignites Tumbalong Park with 23 nights of free music alongside the Vivid Light Walk’s vibrant artworks.

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Food

At new home Barangaroo Reserve, Vivid Fire Kitchen unites Australian culinary talent in an ode to the great Aussie backyard. Open every night of Vivid Sydney from 6-11pm and free-to-enter, discover a hub of open-fire cooking demonstrations, one-off collaborations, tastings, talks, and much more.

Vivid Live abstract illustration

Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House

Music

As part of Vivid Sydney, Vivid LIVE takes over the Sydney Opera House with epic contemporary music across every stage. Featuring global stars, local favourites and Australian exclusive acts, plus drinks at The Midnight Special bar and incredible artwork on the sails, there's something for everyone at Vivid LIVE.