The Colour Cycle Podcast by Diversity Arts Australia

The Pacesetters conversations is a project of Diversity Arts Australia documenting and recording trailblazing artists’ work from culturally diverse backgrounds Mayu Kanamori has about 30 years of practice under her belt, establishing herself as a multi-disciplinary artist and heritage interpreter working on site-specific projects across the country. In this interview, she explores her early days as a photographer, her move into multimedia artistic practice, questions of history and collaborative projects with First Nations communities. For more about Mayu Kanamori: Mayu Kanamori Unfolding Nikkei Australian stories: A conversation with Mayu Kanamori | Sydney Review of Books In Repose: A Japanese Requiem | Radio National Yasukichi Murakami -Through a Distant Lens (excerpt) | ⁠YouTube⁠Credits: Guest: Mayu Kanamori Interviewer: ⁠Yuki Kawakami⁠ Music: ⁠L’Etoile danse ( Pt1) ⁠by ⁠Meydan⁠ Creative Commons ⁠Attribution 4.0⁠ ⁠Clatter and Creek⁠ by ⁠Nul Tiel Records⁠ ⁠Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 ( international) Podcast producer: Nadyat El Gawley Executive producer and host: Lena Nahlous, DARTS CEO Pacesetters project producer: Kevin Bathman Help us support the podcast⁠

The Pacesetters conversations are a project of Diversity Arts Australia documenting and recording trailblazing artists’ work from culturally diverse backgrounds. The interview with Tony Ayers examines how his childhood, cultural identity and family tragedy have shaped his signature approach to storytelling today. Now entering his sixth decade of life, Tony reflects on how he went from orphan to orator of some of our most compelling and original stories on screen. For more about Tony Ayres:The Family Law Season 1 | The Adaptation Process ⁠The Slap⁠ Making Clickbait – a conversation with series creators Tony Ayres and Christian White | ⁠YouTube⁠ One of Australia’s biggest TV producers is predicting a talent crisis | ⁠Sydney Morning Herald⁠ A conversation with Tony Ayres | ⁠Sydney Review of Books⁠ Credits: Guest: Tony Ayres Interviewer: Patrick Abboud⁠ Music: L’Etoile danse ( Pt1) by Meydan Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Podcast producer: Nadyat El Gawley Executive producer and host: Lena Nahlous, DARTS CEO Pacesetters project producer: Kevin Bathman Help us support the podcast⁠

The Pacesetters conversations is a project of Diversity Arts Australia documenting and recording trailblazing artists’ work from culturally diverse backgrounds. When Abdul Abdullah approached Khaled Sabsabi for an interview, Abdul mentioned that there was already a lot of writing by smarter people than himself about Khaled's practice. Abdul wanted to unpack the ideas that Khaled explores in his work-- especially how he got to where he is, and to show readers his natural warmth. Abdul believes a lot of young people would relate to Khaled's experience as an outsider, and how this formed his unique approach to a visual arts practice. It is an example of a young man reacting to a dysfunctional system and maturing into one of Australia's leading artists. Khaled might not say it this way, but Abdul sees a clever street-wiseness becoming wisdom that we can all learn from. For more about Khaled: Khaled Sabsabi Khaled Sabsabi in conversation with curator Matt Cox | Art Gallery of NSW Khaled Sabsabi: A hope | Campbelltown Arts Centre Khaled Sabsabi’s Fending for Peace | Mutual Art Credits: Guest: Khaled Sabsabi Interviewer: Abdul Abdullah Music: Dog and Kahnon, Khaled Sabsabi Podcast producer: Nadyat El Gawley Executive producer and host: Lena Nahlous, DARTS CEO Pacesetters project producer: Kevin Bathman Help us support the podcast⁠

The Pacesetters conversations is a project of Diversity Arts Australia documenting and recording trailblazing artists’ work from culturally diverse backgrounds. The interview with MC Trey is an overview of her life—from an idyllic childhood in Fiji, rougher teenage years in Western Sydney, becoming a pioneering and successful female rapper in Australia, and her present role as an integral community advocate for Pacific members of the Western Sydney community. For more about MC Trey: MCTrey Feline Forces video on YouTube Daily video on YouTube Love, life & legacy - An interview with MC Trey | Rolling Stone Credits: Guest: MC Trey Interviewer: Simone Amelia Jordan Music: MC Trey© Podcast producer: Nadyat El Gawley Executive producer and host: Lena Nahlous, DARTS CEO Pacesetters project producer: Kevin Bathman Help us support the podcast⁠

The Pacesetters conversations is a project of Diversity Arts Australia documenting and recording trailblazing artists’ work from culturally diverse backgrounds. The interview with Kamahl looks at the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced from the racist treatment he received on Hey Hey It’s Saturday to reaching the pinnacle of his career at the Invictus Games. It chronicles some of his many achievements and the many incredible people he’s met — from Don Bradman to Prince Harry. And he reflects on his life’s story and the wisdom he’s gained. For more about Kamahl: Kamahl ‘I hope to have one last curtain call’ | The Australian Kamahl opens up on racism on Hey Hey It’s Saturday | SBS Insight Kamahl responds to Daryl Somers's regret over Hey Hey It's Saturday treatment | ABC Credits: Guest: Kamahl Interviewer: Sunil Badami Podcast producer: Nadyat El Gawley Executive producer and host: Lena Nahlous, DARTS CEO Pacesetters project producer: Kevin Bathman Help us support the podcast

How does it feel to be surrounded, supported, and inspired by community? We hear from Sarah Ayoub, a freelance journalist and author of young adult novels including The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance, as well as StoryCaster graduates Annie Brockenhuus-Schack, Sarah Mendoza, and Hannah Lai, a group of passionate creatives exploring the significance of community and collaborative art. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers. Produced on the unceded lands of the Darug and Eora nations. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. Guests: Sarah Ayoub, Annie Brockenhuus-Schack, Brieze (vox pop), Sarah Mendoza, and Hannah Lai. Interviewer: Sarah Mendoza, Alison Tanudisastro, Sharon Masige Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Boundless Festival Sarah Ayoub Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

On this episode of DARTS’ StoryCasters-led Colour Cycle podcast, we partner up with Newcastle, NSW-based arts organisation, Octapod, to talk to five regional artists about working in the arts outside metropolitan areas. Western Sydney StoryCaster producer Vir Kaula hosts an important discussion about the strength of the local community and what it’s like being an artist in the Greater Newcastle region. We’ll meet Octapod talents Indeah Clark and Tamahae Puha, the duo behind the Skux Az, an art collective focused on bringing dynamic and more ‘unconventional’ art into Maitland. Also, Jamie Bastoli, a multidisciplinary artist, discusses finding a supportive community, and Gunggandji photographer, DJ and visual artist Wanjun Carpenter speaks about the political power of art. Vir is also joined by actor and theatre maker Roger Ly, talking about the value of producing art for multicultural communities. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers. Produced on the unceded lands of the Cabrogal and Mulgoa of the Darug nation and the lands of the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and Darkinyung peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: Skux Az (Indeah Clarke and Tamahae Puha), Wanjun Carpenter, Jamie Bastoli, Roger Ly Interviewer: Vir Kaula Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Skux Az Newcastle Art Gallery Octapod Jamie Bastoli Roger Ly Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci Thank you to our major partner in this episode, Octapod. StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the arts sector, and the music industry in particular. Broadcaster and writer Tanya Ali speaks to three incredibly talented musicians about their work and how the pandemic challenged them to transform their creative processes. Singer and songwriter GLO discusses the creation of her track “Transmute” during one of her state’s many lockdowns and the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement, while Māori artist A.GIRL talks about growing up in Western Sydney and how her childhood has influenced her music. Adelaide-based producer Strict Face also joins Tanya to tell us how the multitude of nightclub shutdowns affected his career and creative process. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers. Recorded and produced on the unceded lands of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the Caborgal of the Darug nation, the Mulgoa of the Darug nation and the Karuna peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: GLO, A.GIRL, Strict Face Interviewer: Tanya Ali Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): GLO A.GIRL Strict Face Music: GLO, A.GIRL, Strict Face, Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

Can joy and insights flow from writing, literature, screenwriting and other forms of the craft? Our StoryCasters chat with an eclectic group of storytellers and share stories of their own. StoryCaster producer Sharon Masige shares a reflective piece on her childhood love of books and the importance of finding representation, while Natesha Somasundaram, a playwright, screenwriter and actor, speaks with broadcaster Tanya Ali about navigating a changing arts space. Live from Boundless Festival, Sharon chats with award-winning speculative fiction author Eugen Bacon, to talk about her writing process, how her African-Australian identity influences her work, and more. StoryCaster producer Vir Kaula also talks to ABC News journalist Ahmed Yussuf about the importance of creative hubs. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers. Recorded and produced on the unceded lands of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the Caborgal of the Darug nation, the Mulgoa of the Darug nation and the Karuna peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: Natesha Somasundaram, Tanya Ali, Eugen Bacon, Ahmed Yussuf Interviewers: Hannah Lai, Sharon Masige and Vir Kaula Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Boundless Festival Natesha Somasundaram Eugen Bacon Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

Live from the Fearless Curious event, award-winning journalist and media personality, Marc Fennell speaks with StoryCasters podcaster Sharon Masige about how industry pipelines can be transformed for greater equity. In an equally engaging conversation, Newcastle Art Gallery’s Zana Kobayashi sits down with Storycasters podcaster Vir Kaula to share her experience working in the region’s creative sector and the importance of community action, especially when cultivating change in rural NSW. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers.Recorded and produced on the unceded lands of the Cabrogal of the Darug nation, the Mulgoa of the Darug Nation and the lands of the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and Darkinyung peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. Recorded and produced on the unceded lands of the Cabrogal of the Darug nation, the Mulgoa of the Darug Nation and the lands of the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and Darkinyung peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: Marc Fennell, Zana Kobayashi Interviewers: Sharon Masige and Vir Kaula Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Fearless Curious Marc Fennell Newcastle Art Gallery Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

Hear from dynamic women unpacking what it means to live a cross-cultural existence in Australia. Live from Boundless Festival, StoryCasters podcaster Connie Khoo chats with acclaimed author Alice Pung about how she experiences intercultural relationships, her outstanding writing journey and more. Broadcaster and writer Tanya Ali also sits down with Yorta Yorta musician ALLARA about pride in her identity and making music during a global pandemic. Finally, we hear personal reflections from Storycasters graduates Hannah Lai and Alison Tanudisastro, who shine a light on what it means to be ‘third’ and ‘fourth’ culture kids. This Colour Cycle season is a takeover by Diversity Arts’ StoryCasters, a collective of young culturally diverse content producers Recorded and produced on the unceded lands of the Darug and Eora peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: Alice Pung, ALLARA, Hannah Lai and Alison Tanudisastro Interviewers: Connie Khoo, Alison Tanudisastro, Tanya Ali and Hannah Lai Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Boundless Festival Alice Pung ALLARA Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci; ALLARA StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

On this compelling new season of DARTS’ Colour Cycle podcast, led by emerging young digital producers from the Storycasters project, our first episode features gripping stories on the ways overseas-born artists have adjusted to Australia’s arts and culture landscape. Storycasters graduate Vir Kaula chats with talent from Newcastle-based arts company Octapod, including writer and comedian Elena Terol, painter Cristina Matas and actress and director Stephanie Rochet. The lively foursome share migrant perspectives on navigating a new creative sector, the importance of community and how their individual experiences have shaped their artwork. Recorded and produced on the lands of the Cabrogal of the Darug nation, the Mulgoa of the Darug Nation and the lands of the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and Darkinyung peoples. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land. A production of Diversity Arts Australia. Guests: Vir Kaula, Elena Terol, Cristina Matas and Stephanie Rochet Interviewer: Vir Kaula Research and presentation: Vir Kaula, Claire Cao, Sonia Mehrmand Season 5 Host: Sonia Mehrmand Regular Host and Executive Producer: Lena Nahlous Producers: Sonia Mehrmand and Vir Kaula, with support from Claire Cao and Colin Ho More information (Hyperlinks to featured orgs / artists / work): Octapod Music: Melvin Tu and Ali Saganci Credits: Thank you to our major partner for this episode, Octapod. StoryCasters is a project of Diversity Arts Australia and provides training and mentorship to young culturally diverse digital producers. Visit STORYCASTERS.NET for more. This season is supported by Multicultural NSW and Create NSW. Diversity Arts also receives core funding from Australia Council for the Arts. StoryCasters trainer/ mentors: Jennifer Macey, Phoenix Eye, Sweatshop Literacy Movement, Nicola Morton, Del Lumanta.

First aired: 16 March 2022 This episode we’re unpacking intersectionality. What is it? Why is it important, and what does it mean to live an intersectional life? In London, freelancer, editor and novelist Sharmilla Beezmohun (Co-founder of independent literature organisation Speaking Volumes) unpacks the question with Sydney filmmaker Pearl Tan, a lecturer in directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, who is studying for a PhD looking at the intersectional experience of diversity workers in the screen industry. Later on in the show, UK based independent producer and curator Melanie Abrahams chats to poet and playwright Chérie Taylor Battiste on the lived experience of intersectionality. Guests (in order of appearance): Pearl Tan, Sharmilla Beezmohun, Chérie Taylor Battiste Interviewers: Lena Nahlous and Melanie Abrahams Host: Lena Nahlous Producer: Nadyat El Gawley Music: Getaway Credits: Co- written by MC Trey (Australia) and Savuto (Fiji) / TAPASTRY © Recorded at Treehouse Productions, Fiji This podcast is a collaboration with This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces. This season was produced on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land.

First aired: 16 March 2022 In this episode, we’re peering a little into our personal lives today with some quick vox pops from artists and creatives. Our question: What is something we learnt about later in life, that we wish somebody in our lives had told us about? It could have come from our mothers, fathers, extended family, or people we came across growing up. UK performance artist Aleasha Chaunte considers becoming a parent and what she learned from her mother and family; and Sharmilla Beezmohun talks about how she wishes she knew that the older we get, the less we know. Guests (in order of appearance): Aleasha Chaunte, Jennifer Lee Tsai, Dj Sarah Love, MC Trey, Maya Jupiter, Sharmilla Beezmohun, Pearl Tan Interviewers: Lena Nahlous and Melanie Abrahams Host: Lena Nahlous Producer: Nadyat El Gawley Music: Getaway Credits: Co-written by MC Trey (Australia) and Savuto (Fiji) / TAPASTRY © Recorded at Treehouse Productions, Fiji Video shot by Only Ideas Studio, Fiji. This podcast is a collaboration with This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces. This season was produced on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land.

First aired: 16 March 2022 In this episode we’re speaking to three award-winning women of the Hip Hop world across three continents. These pioneers discuss working across regions, why community is integral to Hip Hop, and what resilience means to them. In Australia is MC Trey, a pacesetter in the world of hip hop whose legacy spans 20 years of music about everyday life, love and her Pacific community. In London is one of the busiest award-nominated aficionados of hip hop, DJ Sarah Love who’s also a broadcaster, TV presenter and journalist. In California is Maya Jupiter who was born in La Paz to a Mexican father and Turkish mother. She grew up in Australia where she fell in love with Hip Hop, later dropping three albums and hosting music shows on TV and radio. Guests (in order of appearance): MC Trey, DJ Sarah Love, Maya Jupiter Host and Interviewer: Lena Nahlous Producer: Nadyat El Gawley Music: Inshallah Credits Songwriter: Maya Jupiter Vocals: Maya Jupiter, Mia Xitlali and Sandino González-Flores. Qanoon and Oud: Halim Al-khatib Drums: Evan Cristo, Bass: Juan “El Unico” Perez, Keyboard: Quincy McCrary Guitar: Quetzal Flores. Video Production: Abby VanMuijen of RogueMark Studios, Art by Eliza Reisfeld and Animation by Marisa Rafter More information Supporting the arts can increase our resilience The Complex Intersection of Gender and Hip-Hop Life and Hip Hop : women’s role in the industry DJ Sarah Love Juice Crew interview This podcast is in collaboration with This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces.

First aired: 16 March 2022 This episode brings together Professor Deborah Cheetham AO, First Nations Creative Chair of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and producer of Australia’s first Indigenous opera, and Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, founder of the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of a majority of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians. These two trailblazing women talk about their decades-long careers, decolonising systems and breaking down doors in Australian and UK classical music. Both speak to Melanie Abrahams who is our partner on this project, creative director and curator with Renaissance One in the UK. Guests: Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, Professor Deborah Cheetham, AO Interviewer: Melanie Abrahams Research and presentation: Lena Nahlous, Diversity Arts Australia Host: Lena Nahlous Producer: Nadyat El Gawley Music: Threads of Existence, part three of a composition from Deborah Cheetham’s Woven Song – Pukumani series. Credits: Music composer: Deborah Cheetham AO Guzheng: Mindy Meng Wang (guest musician) Flute: Lisa-Maree Amos Oboe: Joshua De Graaf Clarinet: Justin Beere Audio recording courtesy ABC Classic Woven Song – Pukumani on YouTube Filmed on location at NGV Australia Cinematography and Production: David Ward More background information: The Chineke! Effect – if you can see it, you can be it Classical Drive with Chi-chi Nwanoku Classical Drive with Deborah Cheetham This podcast is a collaboration with This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces. This season was produced on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land.

First aired: 10 Jan 2022 In 2020, Sydney Arts Management Group (SAMAG) facilitated a panel asking what was the role and responsibility of the creative sector in the fight for racial justice. Hosted by Diversity Arts’ Lena Nahlous, the talk featured leading activists, artists and community leaders, who explored whether we should take the path of reform or instead “blow it all up” and completely rethink our industry structures? Listen on for an insightful conversation about how arts and cultural organisations can work with Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples in meaningful ways that transcend mere symbolism. Featuring: Merindah Donnelly (Executive Producer, BlakDance), Rosie Lourde (film director, producer, performer) and Tian Zhang (curator and facilitator, founding co-director of Pari).

First aired: 6 Jan 2022 Lena Nahlous interviews poet and theatre producer Zainab Syed, who tells us about how she successfully engaged Muslim communities in Western Australia. The episode focuses on Performing Lines WA’s staging of Layla Majnun, a solo show devised by diverse and emerging artists from WA and featuring US Farsi scholar and storyteller Ustaadh Feraidoon Mojadedi. Zainab reveals how she brought in both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences in huge numbers by considering everything from venue and staff training to strategic marketing.

First aired: 17 August 2021 Lena Nahlous talks to multidisciplinary artist, activist, Ted x speaker and creative director of FOLK magazine Moreblessing Maturure about fighting erasure, the importance of having spaces to experiment and create, and the need for critics of colour. Spotlight: singer-songwriter and performer Zaya Barroso. Thank you to the Future Women, the City of Parramatta and Parramatta Artist Studios for hosting the talk! Alison Tanudisastro’s interview with Zaya was recorded at a We Are The Mainstream event.

First aired: 12 August 2021 The creation of physical spaces — theatres, film companies and galleries — is integral to showcasing the work of culturally diverse artists and true pluralism of Australia. This episode explores the need for these spaces, with a particular focus on a diverse creative hub in Adelaide called Nexus Arts. We also ask: what happens when a global pandemic shuts down these critical centres for creation and connection? Featuring: Refugee Art Project’s Zeinab (Sara) Mir, the Diverse Screens panel discussion at Adelaide Fringe Festival, poet and painter Elyas Alavi, and emerging artist Yusuf Ali Hayat.