culture
BEMAC Brings 36 Years of Multicultural Arts to Kangaroo Point's 2023 Lineup
The organisation’s long presence in the suburb continues to shape how diverse artists connect with local audiences through evolving performance streams.
How we reported this
BEMAC released details of its first-half 2023 artistic program this week, spotlighting a series of events that build directly on the organisation’s work in Kangaroo Point since 1987.
Residents in the suburb have watched the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre grow from a single focus on ground-breaking productions into a producer that now runs multiple performance streams, community activities and professional development for artists from varied cultural backgrounds. The timing matters because the latest program arrives after BEMAC sought proposals from the creative community in 2022 and received enough responses to shape three distinct event categories.
Decades of local programming in Kangaroo Point
BEMAC operates from Kangaroo Point as Queensland’s leading multicultural arts producer and artistic development body. Its early work centred on staging productions that supported artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. Over time that approach expanded to include structured series that bring international and local performers together in the same suburb venues.
The current program reflects that shift. BEMAC Presents now highlights established artists whose work challenges conventions, while BEMAC Live focuses on professionally produced original shows and BEMAC Unplugged recreates an intimate setting for cross-cultural collaboration. The first 2023 event featured First Nations singer, songwriter, guitarist and didgeridoo player Joe Geia in February, followed by an intercultural performance titled When Music Meets Heart led by percussionist Atman Okyay and sound healer Chiho Kagawa.
Next steps for Kangaroo Point audiences
Full program details remain available on the BEMAC website, along with information on upcoming events. Residents can also subscribe to the organisation’s newsletter for direct updates on performances scheduled at its Kangaroo Point base. The centre continues to operate as a subsidiary of SSI under its self-funded arts and culture program.
View the program at bemac.org.au or contact the centre directly for tickets and further local event listings.