June Newsletter 2024
What are your co-ordinates of belonging?
This has been a guiding question for the MAV team as we reflect on the last 50 years, through our program RETROSPECTION and at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, 28 May 2024.
Hosted by Samuel Gaskin, the MAV AGM was the first opportunity for community, members and ex-MAV leaders (and builders!) to visit our new home and headquarters at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston. It also provided a chance to share in reflections and considerations of identity, both as individuals, community and as a member-led organisation.
Through Retrospection the MAV wishes to explore the following with community, for community:
What does it mean to be multicultural in Victoria now?
What is the truth about inclusivity?
What does it mean to deeply listen to, and relate to a diverse community?
50 years on who are we? And who do we want to be in time?
What does MAV do now?
Guest speaker Leah Avene from Co-Culture spoke on the role multicultural communities play in reconciling diverse cultural identities on unceded land, and the importance of healing fragmented narratives through art. Guest performer Nyarath Gatkuoth shared a commanding spoken word piece titled: Jigsaw, that emphasised a radical self-acceptance of identity that is ever evolving and never complete.
The AGM also held the largest board election in recent memory. With 22 nominees, the shared values of advocacy and passion in the diversity arts sector reflected in each nominee inspired a sense of community, making this a memorable AGM for MAV.
Read on for the election results, the CEO report for 2023, program news and current opportunities for support.
Elected Board Directors for 2024
L-R: Neda Rahmani, Daizy Maan, Effie Nkrumah and Sandeep Agrawal.
The MAV Board are pleased to announce Effie Nkrumah, Daizy Maan, Neda Rahmani and Sandeep Agrawal as elected Board Directors for 2024.
Ayesha Bux, Amarantha Robinson, Aditi Razdan, Michael van Vliet and Srini Srinivasan ended their terms with the board at the AGM. We thank them for their contributors as directors, office bearers and passionate arts advocates. Special thanks to Michael van Vliet for his extraordinary service and commitment to MAV over nine years, including five as Chair, and to Srini Srinivasan for his 12 years of association with MAV and six years on the board. Their long service has made a lasting impact.
The Board extends gratitude to all nominees: Anindita Banerjee, Annisa Li Zhang, Belle Lim, Dada Li Bohong, Daniele Noel, Deepa Mani, Emily Hoe, Francesca Valmorbida, Johannes van Delft, Kaizad Kasad, Manjusha Manjusha, Mei-Leng Hooi, Molina Asthana, Patrizia Fimiani, Shivani Narsai, Sneha Varma, and Vin Vijayan, for sharing their stories and awe-inspiring passion for advocacy.
Reports for 2023
CEO’s Report, from acting-CEO Lauren Mullings.
If there was a theme for 2023, it was emergence. Emergence out of a pandemic state, out of our temporary home at Darebin Arts Centre, into new leadership, and new perspectives. We worked tirelessly to plant the foundational seeds that would guide us boldly out of 2023, and into the future.
2023 was a sustained effort to ensure artists and communities and their livelihood remained at the centre of every conversation possible, and that the incredible lessons learnt and plans laid post-pandemic were not lost. That multicultural artists remained connected to and counted on these lands.
MAV embraced a new approach to programming in 2023, building on the outstanding programs delivered both at home and abroad… (continue to read more here)
MAV’s Annual Report 2023:
View the meeting minutes for MAV’s 2024 Annual General Meeting here.
Program Updates: DIASPORAS
Visual ID by MAV
MAV is thrilled to announce the launch of the third iteration of DIASPORAS with a call out to previous creative producers of the program: Are you the next Curator or Creative Producer to lead Diasporas 2024?
This year, we are continuing to build on this foundation and are looking for a Curator/Creative Producer from the DIASPORAS circle to weave together the program’s narrative into a groundbreaking event or exhibition by the end of 2024. We envision a vibrant event that brings together performance, conversation, reconnection, and pride.
Please note, this invite is offered to previous DIASPORAS creative producers and artists only. For future commissioning opportunities with MAV, please see here, or check out the Avenues of Support page.
MAV is also proud to announce that we have signed the pledge and joined A Climate For Art (ACFA). An initiative kickstarted by DIASPORAS funding in 2021, ACFA is a campaign working towards the collectivisation of climate response through uniting small to medium arts organisations together over three core actions: switch to fossil fuel-free banking, superannuation and power providers.
Current Opportunities
Below is a list of upcoming grants, expression of interest, fellowships, commissions and opportunities closing this month:
Emerging Artist Grants. From Ian Potter Centre, closing 18 June. For early-career artists. Up to $15,000 offered.
Frank Moorehouse Fellowship for Young Writers. From Copyright Agency, closing 24 June. For writers aged 18 - 35.
2024 Fringe Festival Registrations. From Melbourne Fringe, closing 21 June. For performing artists, producers, directors, creatives.
2025 Anne and Gordon Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarships. From University of South Australia, closing 30 June. For practice-led visual artists or graduates. Tax-exempt stipend of $70,000 included.
Art Spaces Activation Partnership Funding. From Creative Brimbank, closing 2 July. Funding of up to $3000 for artists and arts practitioners across any arts disciplines.
Medium Grants. From Wyndham City Council, closing 2 July. For incorporated groups and not-for-profit organisations including those through auspice.
To view more opportunities beyond June and July deadlines, please see our Avenues of Support page.
Community Noticeboard
We have launched a shared noticeboard of upcoming events celebrating the rich diversity of culture on these lands. These events are led by creatives and artists MAV has collaborated with in the past. This could be through past partnerships, auspice services, programs or commissions.
UPCOMING:
SARAY Illuminado - Bruised River, 18 June at Melbourne Recital Centre.
SARAY Iluminado's Bruised River pays homage to the profound significance of rivers and waters in Bosnian Sevdah and Sephardic Jewish music, as well as in Nela Trifkovic’s original compositions.
The Audition, touring 22 May to 21 June at La Mama, Bunjil Place and the Bowery Theatre.
Outer Urban Projects is excited to announce the return season of The Audition with a Melbourne-metro tour. A play examining the parallels between actors auditioning and refugees seeking asylum in Australia. Starring Milad Norouzi and Sahra Davoudi.
Poets for Palestine, 26 June at Grace Darling Hotel
Vibe Union presents the third instalment of Poets for Palestine. Each verse contributes to the Palestine Australia Relief and Action. Be there for a night where activism and art intertwine.
Sinefiansemni Kiriaki, 7 July at Brunswick Ballroom
A Tsitsanis and Bellou Legacy Concert. Are you a fan of rebetiko music, the urban folk genre that emerged in Greece in the early 20th century? If so, you won't want to miss this tribute show.La Belle Epoque by future d. fidel, 10 - 20 July at Theatre Works
Theatre Works presents this text-based play by future d. fidel, with integrated archival and live video, performed by actors of African heritage. It comprises several interweaving narratives that combine to tell the story of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Wild Ones EP Launch Party, 13 July at Kindred Ballroom.
The Wild Ones have arrived! After 12 months behind the studio controls, Kaiman Jimenez and Kobra 3000 launch their long awaited EP "The Wild Ones".
To have your event featured, please submit via the button below.
Other news
You may have noticed we updated our website. We are still working on publishing archived content, and working on a improving the user experience. For feedback, or to raise any concerns, please email marketing@mav.org.au.
We are also beginning to organise our Artist Database for The Cultural Agency (MAV's brokerage), and a Freelancer Database for content creators, researchers or consultants. For more information, or to submit your details to be considered for future opportunities, see here.
Thank you for reading til the end of this newsletter! Subscribe for news straight to the inbox below.
