Newsletter: May 2024

Written By MAV

Image: A collage of MAV's various logos, addresses and program covers over the last 50 years.

A long overdue update, and jam-packed newsletter.

We are excited to announce that MAV (Multicultural Arts Victoria) has found a new home base in Preston. To mark this new era of MAV is the launch of our new program RETROSPECTION, and a reinstatement of our monthly newsletter to keep you up to date. 

This month's newsletter includes Current Opportunities for grants, residencies, development or commissions in the arts sector; a new digital Community Noticeboard for artists, creatives and past MAV collaborators to promote current works, the latest MAV happenings and promo code for tickets to Ziggy Ramo's show at the Athenaeum Theatre on 10 May for Melbourne Writers Festival. 

New program launch

Retrospection Visual Identity by Melissa Tidah-Him 2024.

The end of 2023 marked 50 years since MAV’s inception as The Festival of All Nations. We are celebrating 50 years of supporting thousands of diverse artists, locally, nationally, and internationally. Legacy is complex, and ours is fascinatingly so. In Retrospection, we ask: How did we go?

This program will be a series of creative initiatives, original content and conversations designed to; renew, invigorate, and seek understanding. It is bound to cultural commitment, transparent relations and community. 

If we want to evolve with our artist communities, we must look critically at the past through the lens of time, before we can curate the future of MAV.

Check the link below for more information, including a sneak peak of archival photographs from the last 50 years of celebrating multiculturalism in Victoria. 

Upcoming AGM

We are looking forward to meeting and gathering in our new space for the 2024 MAV Annual General Meeting (AGM).  

This year's AGM will be held at MAV's new headquarters on Tuesday, 28 May 2024 at 5:30PM for a 6PM start.  

We are now located at: 

Melbourne Polytechnic: Preston Campus 

Building F, Ground Floor
77 St. Georges Road 
Preston VIC 3072 

An AGM is a meeting held once a year that is open for the public and members to attend. The purpose of the AGM is to give members a report on the organisation's activities and finances for the previous year, to allow time for members to ask questions, and to elect new directors to a governing board.

Those who hold MAVmembership will receive a separate Notice of AGM, including information on the board election, proxy voting, previous AGM minutes and program shortly. 

Not a member?

As a community-led organisation, MAV’s members are entitled to voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) with opportunities in determining the policy direction of the organisation through consultations.

As a MAV member, you are eligible to nominate a candidate for a position on the board. 

If you wish to participate in MAV's board election for 2024, you must be a member by 15 May 2024. Annual fees start at $15 for artists and concession. 

We are seeking new board directors

We are on the lookout for two dynamic, innovative and creative individuals to join our Board of Directors. MAV operates under the guidance of a volunteer Board. 

The Board is accountable to members, funders and sponsors requiring them to perform their roles professionally, with integrity, and in the public interest. 

The Board has undertaken a skills and experience analysis and has determined that the technical skills and expertise listed below will complement the current Board profile, and is seeking nominations from candidates with demonstrated exposure to/experience in: 

  • Financial management 

  • HR, governance and/or legal skills 

  • Corporate, business and/or entrepreneurial skills 

  • Building strategic, high-level partnerships 

  • Fundraising from major donors, companies, government, trusts and foundations 

  • High level experience in the development and delivery of creative and performance programs 

  • Experience as an artist, arts manager, worker or programmer/curator  

  • Strong links to multicultural communities and/or lived experience as a multicultural person. 

For more information regarding the board, process and eligibility, please see the link below. EOI submissions are open until 5PM 15 May 2024.  

Current Opportunities

Below is a list of upcoming grants, expression of interest (EOI), residencies, commissions and opportunities closing this month:

Free Networking Event:

Moonee Valley's Gathering of Artists.

13 May, 5:30 - 7:30PM

Network with local creatives and artists at Moonee Valley's annual gathering of artists at The Clocktower Centre. Learn more.

Free Information Session:

City of Melbourne’s Annual Arts Grants

MAV is hosting an information session with staff from the grant program, which opens on 15 May. Learn more.

To view more opportunities, check out our Avenues of Support page.

Launching the 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:

  • The Gathering, May 19 at Memo Music Hall.
    Featuring Lamine Sonko with his trio, and Nela Trifković with her ensemble SARAY Illuminado in a ritual of musical, cultural and poetic exchange. Book before May 12 with promo code SPECIALFRIENDS24 for a discount. 

  • Sound on for Solidarity, a 3CR Radiothon. For the month of June. 

    3CR’s annual Radiothon runs throughout June—their theme this year is ‘Sound on for Solidarity’. The station plays a unique role in connecting communities and giving voice to critical perspectives. Please help the station build their media advocacy and solidarity work by donating to the 2024 Radiothon today.

  • 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, do won't want to miss this tribute show. 

To have your event featured, please submit via the button below. 

Promo Tickets

Ziggy Ramo: Human?
at the Athenaeum Theatre, 10 May

Wik and South Sea Islander rapper and Festival Curator Ziggy Ramo speaks with Jan Fran about his electrifying debut memoir and historical reckoning, Human?, and delivers a live musical performance. 

Use the PROMO CODE: HOPE for two-for-one tickets by midnight 5 May. Book here.

Rapper and Melbourne Writer Festival (MWF) Festival Curator Ziggy Ramo is known for sharing the sorts of truths that weren’t taught in history class, backed by looping samples and the beat of an 808 drum machine.

His revamp of Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly’s ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ – filmed standing on the sails of the Sydney Opera House – is “a history lesson every Australian should hear” (ABC). While his album, Sugar Coated Lies, was the 2023 Record of the Year at the FBi Radio SMAC awards.

Join us as Ramo takes to the stage and performs songs from his latest album following a chat with Jan Fran discussing his electrifying debut book, Human?. Ramo’s memoir takes the power and passion in his music and puts it on the page. It’s a work that overturns colonial myths, celebrates his Wik and South Sea Islander heritage, and invites readers to fight for a future that restores humanity to all.

Other news

You may have noticed we updated our website over the new year. 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.

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