Dedicated to supporting and promoting artists from culturally diverse backgrounds, BEMAC is entering its 25th year with new partnerships, new programmes, and a shiny new building, all set to enrich multiculturalism in Brisbane and Queensland. CEO Jo Pratt brims with excitement for BEMAC's achievements to date and those yet to come.
“The core purpose of what we do is to support, develop, present, and promote artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and world musicians. We're the only organisation in Queensland that does what we do, so we're fairly unique, and over the last four years there's been a lot of building relationships across the key arts sector as well. We work in partnership with both the multicultural sector and the arts sector to deliver the best outcomes for Brisbane.”
As a not-for-profit organisation, BEMAC has faced its own fair share of difficulties, but this year marked its graduation to the new Queensland Multicultural Centre. Having started in the West End before moving to Yungaba House, this most recent relocation is a huge coup for BEMAC, but also for Brisbane arts lovers, who now have a new venue to enjoy.
“The organisation, like most small arts organisations, has been through lots of ups and downs in its history, but I think this milestone is particularly significant. We've moved into the Queensland Multicultural Centre, which means we have a brand new 224 seat theatre and some conference rooms that we're working with, and I guess it's significant in terms of not just the organisation, but the art.
“I think it will become a hub of culturally diverse art, without a doubt. We will manage the venue and engage communities in using the space and arts organisations that are working in that context. But we'll also do some of our own programming in the space as well. We hope within the next 6 – 12 months it will become the destination in Queensland to come and experience the state's cultural diversity through the arts. Music, dance, theatre, film, we're looking at all options.”
There seems to be no better place for a multicultural venture than Australia. Not only enjoying a rich indigenous heritage, but also a hotspot for migrants throughout history, the country and the Queensland area has continually developed to incorporate a broad spectrum of cultures, becoming truly multinational. More recently, this multiculturalism seems to be incorporating itself within the contemporary arts available today.
“Over the past ten years, Brisbane and regional Queensland have changed so dramatically. We find it really exciting because we get to meet and work with some really cool people who do some really interesting stuff that you don't see every day. In Australia we have so much and it's so diverse that it really affects everyone's lifestyle.
“At the moment, I think the Brisbane Powerhouse blends the contemporary and multicultural really well. Their programming is really diverse and interesting, so they're probably the standout presenters for us. We do a couple of programmes with them too, Planet being the most significant one, which is a free world music platform on Saturdays once month. I think music is the easiest and the most accessible way of mixing the contemporary and the multicultural.”
However, despite 25 years worth of hard work, there is still progress yet to be made, evidenced by BMAC's extensive plans for future endeavours.
“I don't think we're anywhere near where we should be if you look at the level of diversity in the state and what's represented. We're actually working on a significant national pilot project at the moment called The Theatre Diversity Initiative, and we're partnering with Queensland Theatre Company, Metro Arts, and La Boite, who are the mainstream theatre companies in Queensland. The whole focus of that project is to increase the diversity on stage – so actors, writers, and directors. It's just kicked off in the last couple of weeks, so that's going to be a space to watch over the next couple of years.
“We also have two ticketed shows that I think are very special. One is Wouter Kellerman, a South African artist who plays crazy flute, and he's bringing some Melbourne-based African artists up to accompany him (Nov 24 at the Queensland Multicultural Centre). The other one which I'm really excited about is at the Powerhouse as part of our Planet series (Dec 21) and the concert's called Cold Classik Odds, which is three indigenous bands – Classik Nawu, Impossible Odds, and Cold Water Band from Cairns – so that's going to be amazing.
“On the same night, we have our World By Night exhibition at King George Square too. Then next year we have our 25th birthday party in March. Linsey Pollak has curated it, so it's going to be special. We'll have some new artists that we've worked with this year in the foyer, then we'll have the concert series, which is actually a retrospective of people connected to BEMAC over the last 25 years.”
And there seems to be another 25 years in store for BEMAC.
“We like to stay current and relevant, so increasing our partnerships across the mainstream arts sector will be important. Obviously we've got The Theatre Diversity Initiative and I'm hoping to do a lot more in that area. We're looking at a regional programme next year with a couple of indigenous partners. There's a Torres Strait theatre group called Aiantraks, so we're working with them to deliver some developmental workshops in regional and remote areas, which will lead to concerts. At the moment we're also talking to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra about a possible collaboration in 2014. And of course, we always do music and we do that really well!”
Essentially, BEMAC's work and the opening of the new Queensland Multicultural Centre encourages an engagement with Australia's diversity, which can only enrich the cities and lifestyles of those who participate.
“Art from culturally diverse artists is just good art and it shouldn't be boxed away. It should be everywhere, because it's fantastic.”
