Co-director Justine Holt said much of contemporary art practice was based in theoretical enquiry.

“A huge component of art core education now is the conceptual research behind practices, so Critical Animals offers a platform for people from an arts background to intersect with more research-only based practices,” Ms Holt said. 

“It’s something that is not always available within an art school. It gives everyone the opportunity to meet like-minded people.”

However, Ms Holt said Critical Animals was also open to, and of interest to, the general public.

“It’s a great place for people to get an introduction to a critically engaged audience … it’s an opportunity to meet people who are articulating why they are making things, and a great way to get an introduction to contemporary art which can be intimidating,” she said.

There are three components to the festival: exhibitions, panels and workshops. 

The opening, Reference Points, is set to be a festival highlight. 

“It’s a great opportunity to head down to the Lock-Up to see an exhibition that is produced by an independent curator with really well respected, internationally exhibited, contemporary artists … with some fun, interactive works as part of it,” Ms Holt said. 

It will feature the works of Minna Gilligan, Daisy Knight and Kate Mitchell.

The symposium will see students, researchers, writers, artists, academics, art-lovers and  thinkers who are critically engaged in creative and experimental art practices come together.

Reference Points opens on September 30 at 10am. TiNA runs from September 30 until October 2. 

All events for TiNA and its related festivals – Crack Theatre, Critical Animals and The National Young Writers’ Festival – are free .  

Look out for green neon signage for TiNA events. 

For more information about This is Not Art visit: thisisnotart.org or criticalanimals.com