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This October, The Monthly’s traditional Culture Issue is back, and between the pressures of COVID cancellations and locked-down audiences and a change of federal government heralding promises of significant new arts policy, there’s much to discuss from across our creative sectors.

As they head to Oslo to accept the prestigious International Ibsen Award — theatre’s Nobel Prize — Geelong-based Back to Back Theatre are arguably Australia’s greatest cultural export. Alison Croggon joins them on the journey.

Sebastian Smee reckons with the oeuvre and legacy of artist, painter, printmaker and collagist Gareth Sansom, Gerald Murnane reflects on ideal readers and authors of influence, and Cate Kennedy muses on the importance of singing in company.

Plus Abigail Ulman on Grace Tame’s memoir, Shane Danielsen on the 2022 Venice Film Festival, Sean O’Beirne on George Saunders and more besides. An essential primer on the challenges and the triumphs, the stories-so-far and the needs for the months ahead, from the world of Arts and Culture.