With the deepest respect MAV acknowledges that we live, work and celebrate on unceded Aboriginal land.
We thank all Elders, past and present, for their care, knowledge and generosity, as custodians of the world’s oldest continuing culture. We pledge our support towards truth telling, reparation and decolonisation.
NEWPRINT: Soul Sessions
Photographed by Liz Arcus
April 2022
MULTICULTURAL ARTS
VICTORIA STAFF 2022
Co-Chief Executive Officer and General Manager
Andy Miller
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Dr Priya Srinivasan (until March 2022)
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Zii Nzira (from May 2022)
Administrator
Jose Tortabu
Finance & Office Manager
Hung Nguyen
Programming Manager
Renata Zimbarg
Lead Strategic Projects
Priya Srinivasan (until March 2022)
Design & Administration
Deshani Berhardt (until April 2022)
Digital Media & Design
Theresa Angela
Marketing & Communications
Sneha Varma
Creative Producers
Anita Larkin (until April 2022)
Akimera
Forest Keegal (Until March 2022)
James McKinnon (until September 2022)
Jessica Ibacache
Oscar Jimenez
Future Reset Liaison
James Emmanuel McKinnon (from September 2022)
Shepparton Culture
Kitchen & Duniya Behter
Womens Business Coordinator
Ane Fotu
Digital Producers
Amarantha Robinson (until March 2022)
Artist Development Coordinator
Miriam Abud
MULTICULTURAL ARTS
VICTORIA BOARD 2022
Chair
Michael van Vliet
Deputy Chair
Neda Rahmani
Vice Deputy Chair
Amarantha Robinson
Treasurer
Sandeep Agrawal
Secretary
Linda Catalano
Board Observer
Aditi Razdan
Board Members
Chidambaram Srinivasan
Marcus Wong
Siu Chan
Symon Kohut
Ursula Dyer Lepporoli
MULTICULTURAL ARTS
VICTORIA PATRONS
Jason Yeap OAM
Hon. Ted Baillieu AO
MAV International Women’s Day: Beehive Market
2022 was a year of transition – out of COVID and into the new normal. It was a year of change for MAV with our new coCEOs Zii and Andy taking up the reins, as well as a new board finding its feet. With the departure of Veronica Pardo as CEO at the end of 2021, Zii and Andy bravely stood up to take on the joint responsibility as interim co-CEOs. Their willingness to accept this challenge and lead MAV during this period was deeply appreciated. The co-CEOs managed to keep MAV on a steady keel despite the many uncertainties and obstacles they faced, and I thank them greatly for their efforts.
In 2022, seven board members departed: our former Secretary Marie Allaman and our former Treasurer Sabrina Kahric, Fiona Ford, Jamie Lewis, Zii Nzira, Teresa De Fazio, and Gary Lee. And we gained six new board members, Amarantha Robinson as Vice Deputy Chair, Sandeep Agrawal as Treasurer, Linda Catalano as Secretary, Siu Chan, Ursula Dyer Lepporoli and Ayesha Mehta. I would like to thank these new board members for their enthusiasm, their new ideas and the knowledge they bring to the board.
Amid all of this, MAV industriously kept on producing great work through our ambitious and wide-reaching program. Diasporas, Newprint and Ahead of the Curve were just some of the many diverse, innovative, and challenging programs that we delivered. We continued to provide opportunities for culturally diverse artists and creatives when it mattered.
In 2022 we awarded Marcello D’Amico and Mike Zafiropoulos with lifetime memberships. Marcello and Mike have a combined 100 years of support for multicultural arts in this state and without their vision and achievements, we would not be here today.
2023 will bring new challenges and opportunities for growth. We are optimistic about the future of MAV as we enter this, our fortieth year as Multicultural Arts Victoria and fifty years since Mike Zafiropoulos initiated the Festival of All Nations which began our journey. We will continue to champion our artistic communities and ensure that MAV remains a critical voice for the empowerment of diverse creatives and their communities in Victoria.
I would like to thank the staff for all their great work in these challenging times. Along with our incredible staff, I would like to thank all our members and the funders and supporters who continue to back our programs.
After five years, my time as Chair will soon be ending. I would like to thank everyone, especially my Deputy Chairs, Symon Kohut and Neda Rahmani, for their great support over this period. It has been a privilege to lead such a wonderful organisation as MAV.
Michael van Vliet Chairperson
Members, partners, and friends, 2022 has been another year full of excitement and challenges. in the spirit of collaboration and shared vision, Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) embraced the unconventional, yet successful arrangement of co-CEOs. As leaders, we have come to appreciate the value of a close working relationship with the Board. Through our partnership we have been able to broaden MAV’s reach across sectors, with some promising collaborations in the future. As Co-CEOs, we have forged a bond that transcends convention and redefines the definitions of effective leadership in our sector.
This year, we mark a momentous occasion: MAV’s 40th Birthday as an incorporated organisation, and 50 years since its inception as the Festival of all Nations. This milestone is a celebration of our organisation’s longevity and a testament to our resilience, our adaptability, and our unwavering commitment to non-western ways of doing, knowing and being - telling stories that illuminate our humanity and improve intercultural understanding. Since our inception as the Festival of All Nations, MAV has continued to strive for equity in the arts and cultural sector and to build platforms for engagement and visibility–We invite you to join us in commemorating this remarkable achievement.
Along with our amazing team, we continue to celebrate the richness of human experience - simultaneously acknowledging the complexities and the nuances that make us who we are.
Our collaborations and partnerships have allowed us to extend our reach and amplify our impact.
We are grateful for the support and opportunities provided by our partners and associates, as they reflect our shared dedication to nurturing the creative spirit and fostering cultural understanding.
Based in Northcote, MAV continues to evolve in collaboration within our ‘Spirit of Cooperation’ partnership with the City of Darebin that has resulted in many successful locally based outcomes including: Out of the Park Picnic, Conquest of the Garden, Raga Series, Solnidos del Norte, Take Back!, UpClose, Tres Cantos and many other projects. We look forward to an even closer and more fruitful partnership in coming years.
Through our programs, we are successfully cultivating a sense of belonging that transcends borders, connecting individuals with their roots and their communities.
Many of our programs are highlighted throughout this report, reflecting the many facets of organisation – from our UpClose digital live music video program, presenting intimate performances and interviews with culturally diverse singersongwriters and providing high-quality video content to assist artists’ career development – to the Ahead of the Curve Workshop Series that responded to the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of young people of colour - providing professional development to young creatives while focusing on wellbeing and sustainability in the arts.
In 2022, with the support of the City of Melbourne, our Diasporas project held space for the interrogation and development of arts and cultural practice with diverse artists and communities
Diasporas is a springboard for building culture, connection and knowledge and a training ground for the next generation of producers, designers, technicians, and creatives. The City of Melbourne continues to provide support for Diasporas in 2023.
The MAV Program continues to reflect our commitment to cultural connections at the local, national, and international levels. Our journey has led us to seek out the vibrant and intricate connections between cultures here and overseas - more recently creating new diasporic networks across South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, and India. This endeavour seeks to develop international cultural exchange programs that will bring new creative opportunities for local creatives and broaden their global relationships.
The heart of our organisation lies within our dedicated staff. It is their passion, their creativity, and their resilience that have propelled MAV forward. In 2022, we bid farewell to Jess, Priya, Anita and Forest. We acknowledge their contributions and wish them well in their endeavours.
As we look to the future, we warmly welcome Jose, Renata, Akimera, Theresa and Vida, whose fresh perspectives and enthusiasm are already enriching our organisation. wv
As Co-CEOs, we stand at the threshold of the next chapter in MAV’s story. Together, we will continue to explore the rich and complex cultural landscape of Australia, celebrating our shared experiences and forging connections that bring about positive change and global connections. We thank you for your support and invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey.
Andy Miller
Zii Nzira Co-CEOs Multicultural Arts Victoria
Conquest of the Garden
615,507 Social Media Reach
34,125
Total Audience
104
Total New Works
The Beyond Words panel discussion was a pilot for a transformative program that aims to explore the influence of African cultures on modern jazz.
The program is designed for music enthusiasts, artists, and members of the wider community who are interested in exploring the power of cultural exchange in shaping the arts.
The program features a series of conversations and short performances that showcase the beauty and diversity of African culture and promote Melbourne’s cultural capital.
Through this program, attendees engage in the potential for cultural exchange to bring communities together, promote cultural understanding and encourage collaboration between musicians and artists from diverse backgrounds.
The program is delivered as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) Congress, allowing a wide and diverse audience to participate and engage with the topic.
In 2022, the discussion was held between; Craig Calhoun, Sydney based producer from the US, Niasha, Zimbabwean born multi-genre singer and Daniel Atlaw, EthioJazz pianist.
Through their insights and experiences, attendees gained an appreciation for the potential of cultural exchange in promoting creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity.
The program has been a tremendous success, inspiring collaboration, and partnership between musicians from diverse backgrounds and has accentuated Melbourne’s cultural capital status.
The In Situ project across Greater Dandenong was a series of art installations, performances, gatherings, and events co-designed and programmed by local artists into public spaces across Dandenong, Noble Park, and Springvale from March – June 2022.
Commencing with New Beginnings - a welcoming event that sought to connect the
Afghan community in the Southeast region - every activation was produced with the purpose of elevating and spotlighting the strengths and creativity of diverse communities across the City of Greater Dandenong.
Through the exchange of story, values, and creative practices across multiple artforms, community method-making and cultural design were at the core of this program delivered by Lara Juab, Grace Vanilau and team.
Artists included: Sounds of Polynesia, Natalia Mann, Jay Dabgar Trio, Kathak Dancers, Sene, Mr. Congo, Ren Alessandra, Amao Leota Lu, Mr. Congo, Chichi Nwokocha, DJ Naru, Tane Te Manu McRoberts, Anne, and Carlo, Taga Barrio Flying Arts Studios, Our Beat – Southeast Sessions, Anthony Lawang (Lamaroc9), Resio, Brothers in Arms, Ausecuma Beats, the AKC Arts Bus and many more.
The project was funded by the City of Greater Dandenong as part of the State Government’s ‘Outdoor Economy Package.’
NEWPRINT supported contemporary live music programming and events in 4 outer-urban and regional LGAs (Local Government Areas), Wyndham, Melton, Dandenong and Shepparton
The program resourced and built capacity of locally based artists of colour who re-established themselves; built new selfdetermined opportunities for
or developing and showcasing work - building a live music presence in the communities where they live, following major disruptions resulting from COVID-19.
Over 15 months from May 2021 – August 2022, NEWPRINT engaged 2 local artists of colour (Producers) in each LGA to curate, produce and market a series of contemporary live music events in their local areas.
The events showcased fresh contemporary talent from communities of colour across the 4 LGAs and engaged and built local audiences. At the end of the program, we delivered 13 events successfully with an audience attendance of approximately 1500 attendees and more than 60 artists performances.
MAV contracted Producers: Pookie, Deng Tebir, Titan Debirioun, NOMAD, Jacki Tut, Kush Tut, Ree Peric and Jonathan Safari. The Producers trained and supported during the whole program with a number of workshops and online sessions including: 2 program co-design sessions with all 8 producers facilitated by Anita Larkin and Oscar Jimenez; an event programming workshop facilitated by Anita Larkin; an ‘on power’ workshop facilitated by Priya Srinivasan; a First Nations Workshop facilitated by Neil Morris; 2 marketing workshops by Neda Rahmani; 2 digital marketing workshops delivered by Leesa Snider of Achord Agency; and an event planning workshop delivered by Alaina Tucket.
The program was supported by Creative Victoria, Wyndham
Council, Melton City Council, City of Dandenong, and Shepparton City council.
UpClose in Darebin is a MAV program that responds directly to the challenges of inequality and equity in the music industry.
The program responds to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the music scene and burgeoning careers of emerging locally based culturally diverse artists by producing and promoting high quality audiovisual new work that will assist in career recovery.
The Darebin season of UpClose was funded by City of Darebin with support from Preston Markets and produced in partnership with Harmonic Whale. We were able to create and promote live music video content for 4 acts: The New Monos, Karina Lehman, Sarita McHarg and Camile El Feghali featuring Aseel Tayah. In total there were 11 musicians involved in the project plus 4 crew members.
The performances took place in the heart of Preston Markets over 2 days of production at times when markets were fully active. There was an estimated audience of about 1000 people per day who attended the performances live and 10k online views.
Production days had to be postponed a couple of times because of COVID restrictions
but eventually we were able to film in November 2021. Videos were later launched in March, April, and May of 2022.
All artists were grateful for the opportunity to perform and to be paid during the COVID-19 Recovery period.
The public at the Preston Markets were excited to hear live music again at the space. It was emotionally uplifting for everyone.
The program successfully delivered 2 live music videos for 3 emerging local artists including: Brotha Asantï & Soulectric who brought an electrifying performance of afro-house and jazz influences, and Dani Padron & JDro who played an exclusive pre-release of their new collaboration song ‘Vente Pa Ca’.
In total there were 7 musicians involved in the project plus 3 crew members.
The performances took place at POME venue in Richmond who provided a safe and comfortable space for the artists and crew to film the videos.
The videos were released in December of 2022 and had a combined reach of 5k online views.
UpClose Yarra provided quality video content which help to promote the artists career, opened more performance opportunities and exposure to further audiences.
UpClose Yarra followed on from the success of the program delivered in Darebin and Moreland.
The UpClose Yarra sessions had the support from City of Yarra plus in-kind support from the Palace of Magnificent Experiences (POME) venue. Videos were produced by Juan Videla from Pirata Films.
“What I love about being part of UpClose is that I get to represent my musical heritage in a program that invites musicians who perform different styles of music to be appreciated by everyone.”
- Camille El Feghali Upclose Artist.
The focus of MAV’s Bendigo Cultural Exchange program – based in the Bendigo Mining Exchange Building (‘The Beehive’) - has been to provide culturally safe cultural enterprise opportunities for culturally diverse artists and creatives who have had limited access to development opportunities in the Bendigo region.
The program has created a space to generate compelling new cultural content and creative enterprise, with the potential to link to government and non-government platforms and industry networks for wider exposure and economic development in the region.
The program also provides a unique and valuable opportunity for new diasporic cohorts from across the State to engage in the program as creatives, participating in on-line communities, or as audience.
Diasporas is set to disrupt systems of power in the arts, ignite artistic practices, and represent diverse creatives and their communities.
Diasporas is created for, by and with diverse creatives as an artistic intervention to increase visibility, participation, and equity in the arts towards a new art ecology. Diasporas launched in 2021 with a series of commissions open to diverse creatives across Victoria.
Through the commissions, MAV created opportunities for participation that uphold models of self-determination, by prioritising marginalised and under-represented lived experiences.
An Advisory Group with established industry professionals was formed to discuss the scope of the program’s iteration. They assessed and selected the artist commissions under the headings of Disrupt, Ignite, Represent.
Disrupt Project Commissions were offered for collaborative projects that disrupt systems of power and apply innovative new processes to creative practice. Ignite Project Commissions were offered for projects that ignite new creative practices demonstrating experimentation and/or development of practice and artform.
Represent Project Commissions were offered for new projects or new developments of existing projects, that increase the visibility and representation of diverse creatives and their communities.
As COVID-19 struck during the implementation phase of this first iteration, the main challenge was to adapt the presentations and support creatives in those tough times. Their works were presented in venues in the City of Melbourne, from which audiences could enjoy and experience communities’ diversity and stories.
More than a festival, Diasporas held space for the interrogation and development of arts and cultural practice with diverse artists and communities. It is a springboard for building culture, connection, and knowledge and a training ground for the next generation of producers, artists, and creatives.
Diasporas is supported by Creative Victoria, City of Melbourne, and the Australia Council for the Arts.
Ahead of the Curve is a capacity building program for People of Colour (POC) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) participants between the ages of 15 – 35 living around Melbourne.
Ahead of the Curve responds to the data that has emerged post COVID-19, of the need within this cohort for visibility, connection, and self-determination, to shape the narratives of their lived experiences and the policy responses to their diverse circumstances.
The program comprised three streams - including an artist commission, community outreach projects and workshops program. In 2021, MAV commissioned 26 new digital creative projects for individual artists and artist groups and began working with 5 community groups to support their creative outcomes and development projects.
By mid-2022, the final creative projects were live on the MAV website and promoted through social media channels. MAV partnered with facilitators of colour and organisations such as Cinespace, Goodworthy, 3CR and Harmonic Whale to deliver 12 digital communications and professional development workshops. The program included workshops in filmmaking, podcasting, graphic design, virtual
reality, music production, arts management, writing and fighting ‘imposter syndrome’.
Due to the 2022 COVID-19 Omicron wave, the workshops were delivered online over consecutive weeks. Many workshops were booked out and most were well attended. Following the program, MAV received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and facilitators.
MAV delivered additional professional development opportunities including a POC Filmmakers Networking Night and Mentorship Program with Cinespace, and Music Production Mentorship Program with Harmonic Whale.
In August 2022, MAV produced a launch event at the Northcote Townhall to celebrate the program and acknowledge the artists, facilitators, partners, and staff.
The event included numerous live performances from commissioned artists, a panel discussion with facilitators, artists and community members, a showcase of all the digital works and films, catering, and speeches.
The final component of the Ahead of the Curve program was a thorough evaluation process and framework.
Artwork: Growing Inside by Karena Bravo Ahead of the Curve Launch Event
Ahead of the Curve Workshops
MAV worked with Evaluator, Catherine Sandow-Ortega to develop surveys, conduct focus groups, and create an evaluation report.
The report found that mental health was a strong thread through the program and that artists and community wanted support following the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 Lockdown periods.
MAV used this feedback to structure the second iteration of the program and was successful in acquiring a grant from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to deliver a wellbeing arts workshop program.
The Ahead of the Curve: Workshop Series has provided young creatives of colour with professional development opportunities that focus on wellbeing and sustainability in the arts.
The project aimed to offer a safe space for diverse creatives to connect, cultivate self-care and wellbeing practices, and to develop the skills to assist sustainability in the professional industry with a thriving arts career.
The workshops were designed to respond to the challenges and impacts that the pandemic had on the mental health of young people of colour. Despite the challenges of attendance due to the postCOVID era and reduced capacity for face-to-face interaction, the project was successful in providing a safe space for participants to connect and learn.
The participants provided great feedback about the quality of the
workshops and facilitators, with wellbeing workshops being identified as much needed for creatives of colour.
The Ahead of the Curve: Workshop Series had a positive impact on the participants, as evidenced by the feedback received.
“Thank you for offering inclusive programs to empower creative expressions and active dialogues on cultural fluidity,” and “Absolutely loved it. Thank you for supporting us!”
The project had a total of 9 workshops, with many attending each session.
The Workshop Series has left a legacy in the way it has supported artists at a crucial time and has shown that it is possible to offer professional development opportunities while prioritising the wellbeing of participants.
This approach is likely to be an influential factor in future projects.
The Duniya Behter project began in June 2021 during the Covid pandemic and was completed in April 2022.
The project was focussed on shifting the mainstream narrative about people with migrant and refugee backgrounds, from vulnerable to capable. Women and young people in Bendigo and Shepparton drew from their cultural roots, to build creative businesses and produce new digital creative works.
Point of Difference Studios was the delivery partner in Shepparton, with 6 new team members under-25 employed and 5 other new staff recruited along with 2 artistic mentors.
30 women were involved in establishing 15 creative and cultural businesses and trained in business skills and online marketing.
55 young people from local communities participated in creative digital workshops in person and online.
“I’m really excited to be part of Duniya Behter by providing language support to women’s businesses and young people who are learning new skills. Like creating videos and digital art while making new friends from different backgrounds. Already we have really positive feedback from Hazara women in Bendigo, they’re very happy and excited to be part of Duniya Behter they said we are learning English at the same time as developing business skills and understanding how to sell our work online.”
VicHealth Future Reset Summit brought together creatives from all over Victoria to launch the program. Under VicHealth’s Move the Dial initiative, this program focuses on young people’s collective health and well-being via social connection through art and creativity. MAV participated in this summit as a member of the Future Reset Collective, which will activate programs across Victoria in 20242025.
The sessions moved through 3 themes across the day; rest and remember, reimagine and redefine, and rewire and reclaim. With panels featuring a diverse array of speakers and presenters, interactive workshops led by creatives, small group sessions and plenty of food and performances, the event nourished creatives through conversation around the future of the arts and stories of self-care and growth.
The Summit occurred through a hybrid model, with some sessions delivered online, in person, and through a dual delivery model. Young people, creative professionals, and public health workers came away form the Summit with reinvigorated perspectives on the Victorian arts ecology.
The summit engaged hundreds of artists and audience members, resulting in conversation and dialogue across the state’s arts sector. As collaborators, MAV acknowledges VicHealth, Regional Arts Victoria, Yirramboi Festival, Arts Access Victoria, The Push Inc., Western Edge Youth Arts, Next Wave, Arts Mildura, Footscray Community Arts.
MAV International Women’s Day: Beehive Market
In 2021/22, MAV supported the Pasifika arts collective Know Your Roots (KYR) Inc and Melbourne-based Pasifika creatives from Pacific Island Creative Arts Australia (PICAA) in the Under the Trees project. While the project did not quite culminate in the intended theatre production, it did provide a valuable insight into the history of migrant Pasifika farm workers in the Shepparton region.
MAV continued to strengthen its partnership with the City of Darebin and FUSE Festival by partnering on the Out of the Park Picnic event on Sunday 27 March 2022 on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country at Edwardes Lake Park in Reservoir.
MAV and FUSE worked with local providers, partners, and stakeholders to deliver events and activities - supporting over 40 Local Businesses and Traders, small arts organisations and independent artists.
Throughout 2022, MAV supported MalaysianAustralian composer Monica Lim to develop and produced Jagad (Universe). A striking piece of contemporary dance and live video, Jagad began as a short dance film by Monica and experimental and iconic Indonesian director Garin Nugroho, danced by the Lengger dance virtuoso Rianto.
Monica teamed up with two of the most innovative contemporary dance-makers today, legendary Javanese dancer Rianto and Javanese-Australian choreographer Melanie Lane, to co-create a sold-out presentation at Artshouse in North Melbourne.
With key support from the City of Darebin and the Victorian State Government, Out of the Park featured Kylie Auldist, Melbourne’s high priestess of soul; Kwame Tosuma, dynamic KTD Dance Energy Happiness instructor; Tina Demelo, dancer and choreographer; Maya Vice, DJ-in-Residence; and electric-chill trio Belove. The event was hosted by Queen Acknowledgements and curated by Neda Rahmani, with site enhancements by Neisha.
JAGAD
Tres Cantos
The Dawn Raga Series continues to find new partners across the State. This MAV project in collaboration with Jay Dabgar has evolved into a Dawn and Dusk Raga Series in the Cities of Melbourne, Wyndham, Monash, Dandenong, Casey and Darebin with local and international musicians such as Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Purbayan Chatterjee, Jay Dabgar, Bhairavi Raman, Subramanya Sastry, Nanthesh Sivarajah, Hari Sivanesan, Jayshree, Ramachandran, Sughosh Mosale, Sahaj Williams, Saikat Bhattacharya, Vinod Prasanna, Aman Kalyan.
Running in parallel to the In Situ program in Dandenong, ROSS was a one-day music and arts festival to celebrate contemporary and multidisciplinary artistic talents in Victoria’s South Sudanese and broader African communities. A night of live music performances staged by local producer Kush K. T. Kuiy and associate creatives in conjunction with MAV and local business Kush Empire Entertainment.
In 2022, MAV continued to support Sangam (Dr Priya Srinivasan, Hari Sivanesan and Uthra Vijay) in their aim to build a peer-topeer platform for established and emerging diverse Victorian artists to learn, create and showcase their art alongside globally renowned artists from the diaspora.
Sangam productions included the ‘Light’ Commissions in Dandenong and Casey, a concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) at Bunjil Place; and the Durga Chronicles at the Artshouse in North Melbourne along with Philipa Rothfield, the Keerthana Women’s Choir, Govin Ruben and Marcus Salvagno.
In March, Tres Cantos celebrated International Women’s Day with the powerful voices of three Melbourne-based women: Colombian African/Indigenous descendant singer/songwriter, Iaki Vallejo; Ethiopian Australian singer and dancer, Seble Girma; and a guest appearance by Zimbabwean Australian singer, songwriter and actor, Thando Sikwila.
“I would like to take this opportunity to advocate for a society that is more inclusive and for equal opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse women in the arts/music industry.”
Iaki Vallejo, Tres Cantos
MAV’s auspice program continues to assist artists and collectives applying for funding for their projects.
In a very challenging and competitive environment, MAV supported 17 different projects, including 9 that were completed during the year.
The auspice program is supplemented by regular updates to our Avenues of Support listing on the MAV website. This is a valuable tool for artists and organisations to find out many current opportunities for a variety of projects and art forms.
MAV continues to advocate for equity for independent creatives and groups and address the systemic disadvantage that culturally diverse artists and artists of colour face in resourcing their work.
As the representative of a thriving community of Culturally Diverse Artists, MAV is proud to continue to avail the opportunity for external stakeholders including -but not limited to- government agencies, private platforms, and everyone in between, to partner with a dynamic organisation that can service an ever-evolving events landscape with an intrinsic knowledge of cultural evolution.
Throughout the passing year we have facilitated positive outcomes for partners who seek brokerage services as well as managed to foster safe and respectful environments for artists to practice their art with dignity.
Along the way, we have imparted with care the importance of cultural safety, working towards ensuring the sustainability of artists’ careers in these tumultuous times.
Jade Prasad received support from the City of Melbourne’s Creative Development Grant Program, and Creative Victoria’s Sustaining Creative Workers program, to develop a new work exploring the targeted subjugation of Black Americans via weaponised propaganda; in particular, about the dangerous and contradictory differences in the way drug use is historically and currently spoken about.
This involved a new focus for Jade on our dystopian reality, shifting from their previous genre of speculative fiction.
Aftermath is a sound and video installation in which Jade collaborated with a cinematographer and sound designer to create innovative, immersive work.
As a result of this important development period, Jade has developed new work which is planned for public presentation in 2023. This project engaged 3 artists in the process.
Amaru Tribe’s 2022 Victorian Tour profiled their new album, Between Two Worlds and a new show production.
This incorporated ethnodancer, Kathleen Gonzales and videos and projections by Dropbear and MelanConnie, for a multimedia experience. They toured to Ballarat,
Bendigo, Castlemaine and played two metropolitan shows at the Night Cat.
After the devastation of lockdowns, it was a welcome and successful tour to rebuild connections with live audiences, positioning themselves as a crowdpleaser, top quality live show with a more immersive multiart form experience.
The impact on the band’s career has been significant, as they have continued to develop their live shows and play regularly and widely to maintain and build their audiences.
The development of video, projections and multimedia visual elements into their performance, as well as choreographed performances have lifted their shows to a new level and built their international touring appeal. This project involved 9 artists, 7 performances and a combined audience of over 2,000. This tour received funding from Creative Victoria’s Music Works program.
Yo Soy Collective commissioned 12 Latinx artists to create work for a threeweek exhibition at Blak Dot Gallery in October-November 2022, exploring themes of identity and connection.
It included an opening night on October 27th with catering, dance performance and music from collective
members. The exhibition was supplemented by a community program that supported artists to build income opportunities for their work, including a bilingual grant writing workshop and a market.
The whole program was documented in video and photography. Over 600 people attended the exhibition and events.
This program supported the creation of important new work in a variety of different forms – film and video, digital, sculptural, painting, interactive – from an underrecognised highly-productive creative community.
Strong links were developed between the collective and the gallery; new ways of working were modelled, as the curator, Jess Ibacache trusted in the artists to create what was most important at that time and place and focused on enabling them to produce it.
Ancestral Magik received funding from Creative Victoria’s Sustaining Creative Workers program.
The project, Ayeeyo’s Cookbook and Documentary Series explored the rich and untold culinary history of East Africa.
It highlighted the importance that heritage and history play in the formation of a young person’s African identity.
Conquest of the Garden
Inspired by her grandmother’s love for cooking and storytelling, the project aims to use the tools of digital media and technology to enrich young people’s understanding of the history and culture of East Africausing food as the medium. Amal Abikar led a team of young African Australians, Flavours of the Horn of Africa, to create an e-cook book, website and videos of recipes from the East African diaspora.
Beginning in 2021 with a Zoom conference (due to Covid restrictions) of 33 young people discussing food, culture, history and travel, the team built a website, created online accessible e-books and filmed a short documentary series.
As with many projects during 2021, there were significant challenges due to lockdowns and other restrictions. However, the group were able to successfully achieve their goals in 2022.
This project was funded by the Victorian State Government’s African and Pasifika Youth-led grant program. As part of the program YLab provided incredibly useful support and guidance including mentoring and coaching for project coordinators.
This project involved three artists and created three new works - building new technical skills including film production, photography, film editing and photoshop.
“I got the opportunity to further develop my interpersonal skills such as working with a diverse range of stakeholders, interviewing and leadership skills. As team leader, I learned about the different aspects of project management. I was able to refine my planning, budgeting, organising the procurement of goods and services, logistical support, and risk management.”
The initial activity was for Amaru Tribe to create a new EP and an animated video clip with Awarded animator Dropbear (AKA Jonathan Chong) in collaboration with visual artist and band member Katherine Gailer.
The result was the release of a full Album and Vinyl accompanied with the launch of their video clip of the single ‘Se Prendio’ by Dropbear.
The album release created many opportunities for the band and won them several positive reviews around the world including ‘Album of the Day’ on Bandcamp
The band were also able to setup their merch store and sell almost all of the first run of Vinyls.
- Amal Abikar, Ayeeyo’s CookbookMany of their sales online have come from the US and Latin American market which was one of their main objectives.
The recording had various collaboration with artists from around Australia and the world including: Junlahooland (Thailand), The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band (Thailand), The New Monos (Melbourne) and Stuart Fergie from OKA (Queensland).
This project placed the band on a new level and allowed them to be more competitive in the industry.
Between Two Worlds received funding from Creative Victoria.
Nebahat Erpolat’s new contemporary dance work, Conquest of the Garden, was centred around the work of feminist Iranian poet Forough Farrakhzad - challenging preconceptions of Middle Eastern women’s identity in contemporary multicultural Australian society.
Central ideas of Farrakhzad’s poems were explored by four intercultural and intergenerational female artists – Nebahat Erpolat, Victoria Chiu, Sahra Davoodi and Hellen Sky. Nebahat faced enormous barriers to developing and staging her show because of Covid
restrictions and lockdowns.
Despite having to reschedule 4 times(!), including once in January 2021 a mere 6 days before opening night, she was able to present to an opening night full house and almost sold out the entire season at the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre.
This work was highly acclaimed in reviews and has been nominated for two Green Room awards in 2023, for Best Ensemble and Outstanding Creation. The project engaged 7 artists, created one new work, had three performances and a combined audience of 204.
Conquest of the Garden received funding from the Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Victoria
“It was a remarkable work that was ambitious and stunning. The level of skill in bringing all the many complex elements together was incredible to see… it was compelling to watch the women perform and obvious that they deeply connected to the work and to each other.”
In 2022 we partnered with FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia) to deliver the artistic program for its conference: Advancing Multicultural Australia - the premier conference on multiculturalism, diversity & inclusion, and migration.
The conference hosted multicultural communities, policy makers, service providers, academics and many more, over two days.
The FECCA 2022 Artistic Program was curated by Dorcas Maphakela of MAV in conjunction with the FECCA organising team.
All the artists represented were from Victoria.
We celebrated the outcomes and achievements of the Greater Shepparton based music group Heard Instinct Collective.
Through a combination of interviews and research, we have demonstrated the success of the Collective and the ability of the group to cultivate artistic opportunities for young creatives, while combating feelings of otherness or cultural isolation.
The Heard Instinct Collective has managed to set the foundation for the continued growth of selfdetermined creative platforms and cultural equity in Greater Shepparton.
Barbod Valadi received Creative Victoria’s Sustaining Creative Workers grant to plan, record, and market a new album with his
trio, with video documentation of the creative process to enhance audience engagement.
The album explored the experience of a culturally and linguistically diverse musician in Melbourne, particularly the periods of reflection during the pandemic lockdowns. This project involved creation of one new work (album), three artists and a shared digital public outcome.
NEW HOMES: HARI SIVANESAN
New Homes, curated and led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Hari Sivanesan, was a bold intervention which seeded pathways and opportunities for the South Asian Classical music scene in Victoria by creating two new multi artform works which merge contemporary and classical genres.
Themed on displacement and finding new diasporic homes, three new musical works were written for 20 Victorian artists including a rare intra-cultural classical string- quartet, a vocal choir, one spoken-word artist, 1ww written word artist and a highly regarded DJ-producer from Melbourne’s electronic scene.
Through the project, these artists workshopped, created, rehearsed, recorded, and performed in multiple venues in Victoria, in the Cities of Casey, Greater Dandenong, and Melbourne, in live and digital formats between July 2022 and November 2022; in partnership with
the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, ACMI and Sangam Festival.
New Homes Part 1 was such a success that an unexpected outcome came about to collaborate with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in another version of New Homes, again exploring polyphony within Indian Classical music and featuring the veena along with the full orchestra.
Attendance across all ticketed events was 1310, and unticketed events were more than 10,800. New Homes received funding from Creative Victoria.
YARN FOR HANDS: YUNUEN PEREZ
Yunuen Perez collaborated with 5 Latin-American textile artists based in Melbourne to creatively respond to the impact that cultural isolation and reduced access to community groups had on their creative practice.
Through a series of creative exchanges between the artists, they fostered a more sustainable and visible practice for the artists, as well as providing income and generating connections.
Yarn For Hands included curatorial research and development on the framework for the creative exchanges; participant selection; and creative exchanges with the curator and the participants.
This funding from Creative Victoria’s Sustaining Creative Workers grants laid strong groundwork for an expanded project into 2023, with planned public outcomes and activities.
MULTICULTURAL ARTS VICTORIA INC.
A.B.N 99 060 260 414
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
The statement of cash flows is to be read in conjunction with the audit report and the notes to the financial statements.
For the year ended 31 December 2022.
Multicultural Arts Victoria Inc (MAV) has continued to focus on its core activities supporting artists during the post Covid pandemic era and maintained a revenue stream of $2.2 million. This reflect the amount of work that the senior management team is putting into ensuring continued levels of funding for MAV. Sound practices continue to be reinforced in managing available funding.
In 2022, MAV posted a deficit of $172,713 (in 2021, net result for the year was a deficit of $80,408). This was a due to a combination of factors such as less than expected funding from government grants and a drop in other sources of revenue such as training. The expense base largely remained consistent with the previous year.
The cash performance and position of MAV remain sound. Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 2022 year is $953,691. This indicates the viability of the organisation’s core operations and reflects not only the attractiveness of the core programmes offered, but the role that MAV played in supporting its stakeholders.
MAV’s balance sheet is dominated by the cash, short term deposit and listed equity securities. Net assets at the year-end have remained strong at $939,249, an indication of the entity’s ongoing financial stability.
During 2022, MAV continued its commitment to strong management and good corporate governance. A key aspect of this is the ongoing attention by the Board and staff at MAV to all aspects of planning and careful management of the financial position and performance of the organisation. The MAV Board played their part in a year of extraordinary resilience.
The Board will continue to work in 2023 and beyond to ensure the financial future of the organisation remains healthy. It is also important to acknowledge the appointment of accounting firm Collins & Co Audit Pty Ltd. in conducting the annual audit for MAV. We see our association with our auditors as crucial in enabling us to continue enhancing our governance and reporting structures reflecting the serious commitment of MAV to good corporate governance. I want to thank the members, volunteers, and staff for the work they have done over the past year to steer us through a challenging financial storm.
In the opinion of the Committee the financial report as set out on pages 2 to 16:
PresentsatrueandfairviewofthefinancialpositionofMulticulturalArtsVictoriaInc.asat31December2022 and its performance for the year ended on that date in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.
Atthedateofthisstatement,therearereasonablegroundstobelievethatMulticulturalArtsVictoriaInc.willbe able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
ThisstatementismadeinaccordancewitharesolutionoftheCommitteeandissignedforandonbehalfofthe Committee by:
Chairperson
Van VlietTreasurer
ABC Radio National
Abbotsford Convent Foundation
Achord Agency
Aghan Australian Development Association
APRA
Arts Access Victoria
Arts Centre Melbourne
Arts Industry Council of Victoria
Arts Mildura
Amazon
Asialink
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Australian-China Economic Trade and Investment Expo (ACETIE)
Australia Council for the Arts
Bar Oussou
Black Cat Gallery
Black Diasporas
Blak Dot Gallery
Brisbane Ethnic Music & Arts Centre (BEMAC)
Bunjil Place (City of Casey)
Casa Cultura Inc.
Casula Powerhouse (Sydney)
Centre for Multicultural Policy and Program Evaluation
Cinespace
City of Brimbank
City of Darebin
City of Greater Bendigo
City of Greater Dandenong
City of Greater Shepparton
City of Hume
City of Maribyrnong
City of Melbourne
City of Melton
City of Monash
City of Wyndham
City of Yarra
Collingwood Yards
Creative Victoria
Cultural Infusion
Dancehouse
Department of Fairness, Families & Housing (Victoria)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts
Department of Premier & Cabinet (Victoria)
Diversity Arts Australia
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
Drum Theatre (Dandenong)
Emporium Creative Hub (ACMI)
Footscray Community Arts Centre
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Federation of Chinese Associations (Vic)
Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA)
Flying Arts Studios
Footscray Community Arts Centre
FUSE (Darebin)
Gandel Philanthropy
Goodworthy
Harmonic Whale
Howler
Indian Performing Arts Convention (IPAC) - Monash
Jewish Museum of Australia
Know Your Roots
Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services
Melbourne Fringe
Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society
Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF)
Melbourne Recital Centre
Monash University
MPavilion Museums Victoria
National Exhibition Touring Support
Victoria (NETS Vic)
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
Nelson Mandela Day Commemorative Committee (NMDCC)
Next Wave
Nexus Arts (Adelaide)
Night Cat
Outer Urban Projects
Pall Mall Nominees
Pirata Films
Point of Difference (POD) Studios (Shepparton)
Pacific Island Creative Arts Australia (PICAA)
Palace of Magnificent Experiences (POME)
Preston Market
Project 11
Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV)
Regional Arts Victoria
Regional Victorians of Colour
Rise of South Sudan (ROSS)
Rising Festival
RMIT University (Centre for Arts and Social Transformation – CAST)
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)
Sacred Currents Inc.
SalamFest
Sangam Performing Arts Festival of South Asia & Diaspora
Sapthaswara School Of Carnatic Music
Settlement Services International (SSI)
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM)
Songlines Aboriginal Music
St.Paul’s African House
State Library Victoria
Taste of India
Te Karangatahi Mana Inc
Testing Grounds
The Boite
The Connection – Home of Yurri
Catering
The Push Inc.
The Village Festival
Theatre Network Australia
Time of Art
3CR
3PBS
3ZZZ
University of Melbourne
VicHealth
Victoria University
Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC)
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Welcoming Australia
Western Edge Youth Arts
Womad (South Africa)
WOT Collective
Yirramboi Festival
YLab YoCity
We would like to thank everyone that has supported MAV and those who have very kindly made donations in cash and in-kind to the organisation. All support and creativity makes the organisation vital, ever changing, and dynamic.
MAV also acknowledges and thanks its volunteers and interns for their tireless and passionate contribution.
We deeply value your support.
mav.org.au
Cover Image: Maura García and Jackie Sheppard Ahead of the Curve Workshops Photographed by Gianna Rizzo October 2022