ARTS COORDINATION ANNUAL MEETING – ACAM 2025
On September 26 and 27, 2025, ACAM 2025 (Arts Coordination Annual Meeting) took place for the first time in Vietnam at COMPLEX 01. The event was co-organized by Hanoi Grapevine, the Vietnam Artist Residency Network (AiRViNe), COMPLEX 01, Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA), along with international partners from Japan and Taiwan, attracting a large number of arts coordinators and representatives from various cultural organizations in Vietnam and abroad.
Session 2: Community Programs: Engagement with Intention
The afternoon focused on the relationship between art and community. Led by Le Vo Thuy Duong, Nguyen Hoang Diep (Ơ KÌA Hanoi), Vu Thi Thanh Binh (To chim xanh), Nhat Q. Vo (Nguyen Art Foundation), and Cai Xun discussed how to build reciprocal relationships with communities, avoid mere formal participation, and maintain connection beyond the duration of a project.
DAY 27 SEPTEMBER Expanding Accessibility and InclusionSession 3: Inclusion in Practice: People with Disabilities, the Elderly and Minority Audiences
The second day began with a session on inclusion in the arts moderated by Nguy Hai An. Nguyen Thi Mong Thu (To he), Hoang Van Ly (Hoan Kiem District Blind Association), and Nguyen Tieu Quoc Dat (Think Playgrounds) shared insights on designing artistic programs and spaces with accessibility to physical, sensory and emotional needs, as well as approaches to audiences beyond urban centers.
Art-xercise Collective: Workshop & Workout for Art Coordinators
A special highlight of ACAM 2025 was the practice-based session designed by Nguyen Nhu Quynh (COMPLEX 01). Unlike traditional discussions, this session took the form of a group exercise with four parts: Warm up, Strength, Elevation, and Cool down.
This exercise concept functioned both metaphorically and concretely, emphasizing the role of arts coordinators as the “spine” that supports the full functioning of a project. Le Vo Thuy Duong presented on the “Garden of Release” model and methods of applying art to self-care. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang focused on arts coordination tied to local cultural heritage through the project “Doai Phuong Thu Cac”. Le Minh discussed social responsibility and sustainability. Hoang Minh Chau (Chau and Co Gallery) shared public and private partnership case studies and the challenges of working within the Vietnamese art context.
Session 4: Bridging Distances: Coordination Across Regions and Borders
Moderated by Tran Duy Hung, the final session opened international dialogues with Yoshioka Norihiko (Japan Foundation), Teiko Hinuma (AIR Network Japan), Kao Yi-kai (Thinker’s Studio, Taiwan), Tomo Seto (Aomori Contemporary Art Center), and Xuan Ha (A song, Danang). Speakers discussed geographical distance in cultural exchange, designing reciprocal international programs, and barriers related to visas, funding and language in global mobility.
ACAM 2025 successfully created a space for coordinators to share challenges, exchange experience and connect with international peers. The event delivered an important message: for artistic projects to develop sustainably, care must be given to both the “spine” of the project and the “spine” of the coordinators themselves. With a strong debut, ACAM is expected to become a significant annual platform that continues to nurture the arts coordination community in Vietnam.
