MAV projects are dynamic spaces of artistic development, community capacity building, and platforms for commentary and expression. Here you can find our current and past projects.
From 30 Jun 2021
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 arts ecology. More than a festival, Diasporas holds 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.
From 27 Oct 2022
A returning to ceremony, community and renewed sustainability. DIASPORAS IS SET TO DISRUPT SYSTEMS OF POWER IN THE ARTS, IGNITE ARTISTIC PRACTICES, AND REPRESENT DIVERSE CREATIVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. Diasporas has been created for, by and with diverse creatives as an artistic intervention to increase visibility, participation and equity in the arts towards a new arts ecology. The first iteration of Diasporas created opportunities to increase visibility by providing creatives of colour participation in self-determined commissions to create new work, present new work or both. Diasporas 2023 will be a continuum of culture making, prioritising diverse worldviews and knowledge systems. As we are transitioning into the next era and navigating extensive global, local and personal changes. Diasporas 2023 is commissioning a team of 6 Thought Leaders, Creatives of Colour with a strong foundation in ceremony, connection and community to spearhead the second iteration of Diasporas. The team will weave together the five pillars of focus, economic sustainability, cultural maintenance and evolution, integrity in storytelling, food and environmental care and create a path towards a legacy in the arts sector.
From 12 Mar 2023
NEWPRINT is back with another season of live music gigs featuring the most exciting new acts and gigs in the Melbourne right now. Building on the success of the first iteration, NEWPRINT 2 will support 7 new and emerging POC/CALD producers to develop and deliver unique contemporary live music events throughout Metro Melbourne.
Wed 14 Dec 2022 - Sat 31 Dec 2022
UpClose is back with Yarra Sessions taking place in the City of Yarra showcasing fresh acts with amazing performances captured at the Palace of Magnificent Experiences, a versatile live music venue. With appearances by Afro house outfit Brotha Asantï and Soulectric, bringing an electrifying performance of Afro house and Jazz influences; and Dani Padrón and JDro, performing an exclusive pre release of their new Dancehall track connecting Colombian Reggaeton with the vibes of Melbourne Hip-Hop. UpClose is an digital live music video program presenting intimate performances and interviews with culturally diverse Victorian singer-songwriters, creating high-quality video content supporting the artist’s career.
Tue 25 Oct 2022 - Tue 22 Nov 2022
Ahead of the Curve: Workshop Series will provide young creatives of colour with professional development while focusing on wellbeing and sustainability in the arts.
Mon 14 Mar 2022 - Fri 6 May 2022
The newest season of UpClose takes place in Darebin and features amazing local artists: Karina Lehman (Chile), Camille El Feghali (Lebanon), Sarita McHarg (India), and The New Monos (Argentina). Their music performances were filmed at Preston Market where aromas, languages, and cultures from all around the world meet. Harmonic Whale’s production team did a fantastic job capturing 2 songs per artist with a total of 8 music videos which will be released weekly from 16 March 2022 to celebrate Harmony Week. The Upclose program is an online live music video channel presenting intimate performances and interviews with culturally diverse Victorian singer-songwriters with the purpose of creating high-quality video content that supports the artist’s career.
Sun 6 Mar 2022 - Sun 5 Jun 2022
In Situ is 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. Every activation is produced with the purpose to elevate and spotlight 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 are at the core of its program delivery.
Sun 5 Dec 2021 - Sat 13 Aug 2022
MAV’s latest program NEWPRINT is all about supporting young artists of colour living in outer urban and regional areas.
Wed 11 Aug 2021 - Sat 30 Jul 2022
Duniya Behter shifts 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. The name, Duniya Behter, emerged from conversations with young Cultural Facilitators employed to work on this project and it speaks to the spirit and intention of MAV’s regional Victoria program. It is a reflection of some of the cultures in Bendigo and Shepparton where the project is based. Duniya means the world in Arabic, Hindi and it’s also found in the languages of Swahili, Hazaragi, Urdu and Persian, where it holds a similar meaning. Behter means better but working together to make better.
Mon 19 Jul 2021 - Wed 31 Aug 2022
The Ahead of the Curve Commissions was a call out for young and emerging artists of colour living around Melbourne, to create new digital artworks that responded to social challenges, including COVID-19.
Sun 16 May 2021 - Thu 16 Sep 2021
Over the past seven months many artists and residents within the nine towers have been busy creating new digital works for Shelter 2 – a second edition of MAV’s innovative commissions program responding to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19 for culturally diverse artists and communities.
Mon 29 Mar 2021 - Mon 17 May 2021
UpClose is a new online music video showcase presenting intimate performances and interviews with culturally diverse Victorian singer-songwriters.
Wed 24 Feb 2021 - Sun 25 Apr 2021
Submerged is a new collaborative exhibition commissioned by MAV, featuring digital artworks by two women of colour living in the regional Victorian town of Shepparton, Mimi Leung and Ree.
Wed 2 Dec 2020 - Thu 28 Jan 2021
As with most arts offerings in 2020, Mapping Melbourne has had to reimagine itself in the context of COVID-19, adapting to new and ever changing conditions for public events.
Mon 31 Aug 2020 - Sat 14 May 2022
“A healthy food culture includes a large mix of different cultures and traditions…and foods that are created with love and shared with others” – Agoness Kuol
Sun 12 Jul 2020 - Mon 16 Nov 2020
Presenting 44 artworks by Victorian culturally diverse artists and artists of colour who have taken part in Shelter 2020.
Wed 17 Jun 2020 - Sat 27 Mar 2021
It’s on your streets. It’s on your screens. It’s a group of women, femmes and gender diverse artists of colour speaking back to the racist patriarchal nonsense they experience with fire, wit and imagination.
Thu 21 Nov 2019 - Sat 23 Nov 2019
An eclectic showcase of South Asian performing arts.
Wed 30 Oct 2019 - Sun 8 Dec 2019
Mapping Melbourne creates new perspectives, new possibilities and new expressions through a series of intercultural, multi-artform events in the heart of Melbourne.
Fri 18 Oct 2019 - Sat 19 Oct 2019
Arts | Music | Conversations. Inspired and curated by artists who challenge the mainstream daily.
Mon 24 Jun 2019 - Fri 29 Nov 2019
Project ReWIRE is a new artist development initiative for mid career culturally diverse musicians, singers and songwriters produced by MAV in partnership with key Australian music influencer Joel Ma. Through a process of self assessment, music business up-skilling and one to one mentoring, 15 culturally diverse mid career artists will explore the positioning of their music in Australia and will tailor their own artist development plans. The artists will be empowered to challenge, re-define and contemporise their direction. Project collaborator, Joel Ma, says, “Being a mid career artist myself, I am keenly aware that the music industry is fluid, ever changing and difficult to navigate, and it can be intimidating trying to keep up. Project ReWIRE is born from the idea that mid career artists can adapt, remain relevant and continue to make a living doing what they love, by knowledge sharing, up-skilling and recognising new opportunities. It will also help industry tap into talented but marginalised artists who work outside of the mainstream.’’ Project ReWIRE builds on over 15 years of successful work, that Multicultural Arts Victoria, has been doing to produce bespoke, responsive artists development programs for culturally diverse musicians. The program will facilitate new pathways and opportunities for mid career artists while also contesting the marginality of diverse music practice in Australia.