Bringing the Archibald Prize exhibition to the Hunter is just one of the ideas to spring out the week-long series of conversations at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

The conversations were held last week and were designed to spark an evolution of the gallery through community input.

“The two words that kept coming up about the art gallery were ‘inspiration’ and ‘imagination’,” the gallery’s public programs co-ordinator Kim Blunt said.

“It was so successful and people were so giving in what they gave us in terms of feedback, comments and ideas.

“I guess there’s an understanding that some will happen now and that throws the baton over to us now to come through with what it is people are asking for.”

Ms Blunt told the Mercury that bringing big name exhibitions, like the Archibald Prize, to Maitland was one of the options discussed.

“We need bigger shows.

“People want those kind of exhibitions,” she said.

“We’re looking at bring the Archibald and Art Express to Maitland.”

As well as getting big name exhibitions to the city, Ms Blunt told the Mercury that the community also wanted more work from Hunter-based artists.

“In terms of exhibitions a lot of people want to see more local art,” she said.

“We do show local art but we don’t sell it as local art. We need to look at ways to make people realise that the artists are actually local.

The conversations covered a cross-section of the community including young people, senior citizens, disabled and indigenous people.

“One of the main developments to come out of the conversations looks to be an indigenous focus group,” Ms Blunt said.

“Most people were happy with the education and really excited by the new spaces that we’re going to have in the gallery.

“We were looking at mentorships, like having exhibitions curated by young people.

“So that will bring people in to actually understand the art gallery system.

“It’s interesting that the gallery can be seen as a place of inspiration and imagination and as a safe place too.

“I couldn’t believe how many people were willing to give up their time to help us in this and I’m really grateful for that.”

The art gallery expects to get a report from consultant Dr Barbara Piceitelli, who conducted the conversations, at the end of next week.

“We’ve never done it before but this won’t we the last time,” Ms Blunt said.

“I sat in on every single one of the conversations and listened to what everyone was saying.

“It really showed the gaps and now we need to fill those gaps.”