The Institute of Modern Art launches its new Essay Club series with a discussion led by Madeline Brewer exploring ideas around collaboration, participation and community in contemporary art practice.
Blending a reading group, salon and informal networking event, Essay Club invites artists, students, arts workers and anyone interested in critical conversations about culture to gather and discuss influential texts shaping contemporary practice.
For the first session, Brewer will unpack Claire Bishop’s The Social Turn (2006) and Maria Lind’s The Collaborative Turn (2007), examining why artists seek connection with audiences through participatory practices. The discussion will explore questions around collaboration, social engagement, the role of institutions and how ideas of “community” operate within contemporary art.
Brewer will also share insights from her experience as Manager of Public Programs and Education at the Institute of Modern Art, discussing examples of collaborative projects and introducing the Essay Club program for the year ahead.
Join for conversation, pizza and drinks.
Wednesday 25 March 2026
6:00pm – 7:30pm
