Dr Olivier Krischer is a historian and curator interested in modern and contemporary art from East Asia and the Asian Australian diasporas. Following his doctoral studies in Japan, he was managing editor of the art periodical Art Asia Pacific in Hong Kong. He has been a Postdoctoral Fellow at the ANU and a Visiting Fellow at Academia Sinica, Taipei. Between 2018-2021 he was Deputy and Acting Director of the USYD China Studies Centre. He is currently Lecturer and Program Convenor for the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership at the UNSW School of Art and Design. He is a founding member and co-director of the Australasian Network for Asian Art (AN4AA), a platform for Asia-related art research, mentorship and advocacy.

His recent curatorial projects include Crafting Life: Stories from the Japanese Studio (Japan Foundation Gallery, 2025), and Assembly, an exhibition of eight Hong Kong-born artists from different generations of migration, held at the Australian Centre on China in World Gallery (ANU, 2024). His recent publications include the book John Young: The History Projects (Power Publications, 2024), on pioneering Hong Kong-born Australian artist John Young Zerunge, one of the founders of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney.

Courtney Novak has an extensive background in curating, creative production and marketing, in addition to developing sponsorship and philanthropic strategies for cultural institutions.

She is the Deputy Director of Maitland Regional Art Gallery, leading the public programs, education and audience engagement teams. Previously, as Artistic Director of The Lock-Up, she led the small independent arts space to become the nationally recognised arts institution it's known for today. Courtney has also worked in arts organisations across the Middle East, including The Third Line, Christie's Middle East and Art Dubai.

Courtney represents the cultural sector through board appointments including The Lock-Up (Newcastle Historic Reserve Land Manager) and Hunter Creative Alliance. She holds a Master in Curating and Cultural Leadership, University of New South Wales and an Undergraduate in Fine Art, University of Newcastle.

Jo O'Toole is an accomplished curator and established artist with a deep passion for contemporary Australian art. Jo has curated numerous exhibitions, developed engaging public programs, and coordinated inspiring educational initiatives. She is dedicated to fostering artistic expression and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jo O’Toole is Curator at Gosford Regional Gallery and the Curatorial Mentor on the NAS Mentorship program.

Jo has worked across a range of roles, including acting Director Gosford Regional gallery, at Sydney College of the Arts, schools in the Hunter Region, and Gallery Assistant and Arts Administrator at Newcastle Art School. 

Jo's experience also extends to the Museum of Arts and Culture Yapang where she served in multiple roles across curating, public programs and installation. Jo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design from RMIT University in Melbourne, with post-graduate studies in printmaking from Sydney College of the Arts. She also earned an Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts with a major in sculpture from Newcastle Art School, Hunter TAFE, and is nearing completion of a Master of Teaching in Education from The University of Newcastle.