Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre celebrates 25 years in 2009!
From modest beginnings as a multicultural arts workers cooperative in 1984, a quarter of a century of challenge has seen Nexus evolve to celebrate its role as the foremost - and sole- multicultural arts organisation in SA, leading the way nationally with its unique projects and mission!

'Integrating multiple cultures is an important part of any developing society, particularly today when forced and voluntary migration have seen immense population shift across the globe' says Executive Director Dr Noris Ioannou. 'Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre has taken the task to hand and is preparing for one of its most eventful years yet'. For 25 years Nexus has contributed to social harmony by nurturing contemporary and community arts through multifaceted programs of exhibitions, world music and dance concerts, residencies, forums, ambassadorial & volunteer networks, professional development & consultancy, and skills workshops.

Drawing from over 100 established and emerging communities, Nexus works as an arts and social networking hub, nurturing and blending creativity and cultural diversity. At Nexus, artists, communities and audiences tell their stories connecting, sharing experiences, & developing & showcasing art. 'The Nexus 2009 Artistic Program is a unique approach that cultivates professional and community artistic activity - hence directly promoting the benefits of cultural diversity,' says Dr Noris Ioannou.

Special events programs for 2009 include youth programs such as Nexus Connect! Artlab Workshop Series aimed at young refugees; and four major forums beginning with our Interfaith forum: 'Faith and Food'; two Islamic Spectrum Forums, which attracted national funding to engage youth and promote affirmative dialogue for the SA Muslim community, and a national Multicultural Arts Symposium. The Nexus Cultural Ambassadors Project - integrated into all Nexus arts programs and activities - is a network of volunteers operating as community 'link builders'. And our annual Nexus Community Interfaith Forum, engaging audiences through dialogue and culinary experience. Nexus Artist and Writer's Residencies explore story-telling (visual arts/writing/text/scripts/talks) and cross-cultural creativity.

The Nexus core program kicks off with our Adelaide Fringe events including Adelaide Ink 2 'Show and Tell; Comic Culture Exhibition; Global Comedy Club and Bollywood Dance Club. In addition, every Thursday (launch in April), Nexus Cabaret will come alive with a new hub of world music and dance in Adelaide. Transit Lounge will encourage new and developing performing artists to work with established artists to profile Adelaide's cultural diversity. Transit Lounge features Djef Djel and the Bollywood Dance Club, workshops in African drumming & dance. Also featuring a regular program of Gypsy Act Golonka, Chilian/Peruvian tunes from Expresiones, Acoustic Odyssey, the return of the Music of the Silk Road series, and many many more...Global Beats will continue as a program featuring Islamic hip-hop group The Brothahood, Melbourne Turkish Zurna player Gazi Yalchin, and a unique collaboration between local blues act Sweet Baby James & Rob Eyers with Indigenous outfit The Shadows.

Among the special celebrations for our Silver Anniversary, Nexus will implement an oral history project documenting 25 years of storytelling at Nexus from past performers, artists, board members and others.

The Nexus 2007-2010 Australia Council funded project, Old Stories: New Stories continues to engage artists, performers and community facilitators to create culturally diverse partnerships. Nexus Multicultural Arts links or partners with many organisations every year, including: Kultour, the national multicultural touring agency; 'Come Out' Youth Festival; Department for Families and Communities - Refugee Services; Hawke Centre; Uni SA; Adelaide Festival Centre; SA Police, Multicultural Communities Council; Radio Adelaide; New Arrivals Education Centres; Common Ground; Adelaide Fringe Festival; Australian Youth Forum; and Australian Refugee Association.

Says Dr Noris Ioannou: 'by nurturing and developing traditional and contemporary art forms in a process of cross-cultural interaction, we help people share and celebrate their experiences and stories, and with 25 years of experience we've got a lot to give and share!'