OUR MISSION

To create new, exciting and inclusive arts and cultural projects that showcase the diversity of Australia to the world. 

Cultural Arts Collective aim is to create new, exciting and inclusive arts and cultural projects that showcase the diversity of Australia to the world.

Inspired by our own multicultural neighbourhood, we have led the way in showcasing the diversity of  Western Sydney since 2007. From creating the Sydney Sacred Music Festival (and Sacred Current Inc), Grass Roots World Music Festival and the Women of the West Festival, to writing for and producing new cross-genre ensembles such as the Shohrat Tursun Trio, Worlds Collide and the Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra, that make up the new place based, ‘Western Sydney Sound’.

WHAT WE DO


PRODUCE Music & Unique Festivals

  • Produce and compose contemporary, cross-cultural, and sacred music

  • Create ensembles to support artists hidden from the mainstream

  • Manage Artists

  • Produce Festivals and Events - Sydney Sacred Music Festival and Grass Roots World Music Festival to name a few.

 


 

Community building, CONSULTATION & EVENT CURATION

  • Festival Music Programming -

    Women of the West Music Concerts 2020, Parramasala 2014 -16

  • Hawkesbury Live and Local micro music festival - 2018

  • Build capacity in the community - 'Innovation Pods' Canterbury Bankstown Council 2017

  • Innovate - Create unique events that showcase your region. We initiated and produced The Worlds Collide concert and art installations - on an 8 storey high Parramatta Carpark Roof Top - 2016

 

WHO WE ARE

Richard Petkovic (photo Gerrie Mifsud)

Richard Petkovic (photo Gerrie Mifsud)

 
Maria Mitar (photo Gerrie Mifsud)

Maria Mitar (photo Gerrie Mifsud)

 

 

 

RICHARD PETKOVIC  

CO - Artistic Director & founder

Richard is a Creative Producer who uses many artistic disciplines to create new projects that innovate with an inclusive vision. He is best known for his work with Western Sydney artists to produce the 'Western Sydney Sound'. His music work focuses on engaging, writing and recording with diverse artists to create new music and cultural events of significance. For eg, see www.onepagelink.com/worldscollide
Richard has studied contemporary music practices and explored music making with world and sacred music practitioners.

Career highlights include:

  • Artistic Director/Founder of The Sydney Sacred Music Festival which celebrates diverse devotional music, art and ceremony

  • Festival/Music Director /Founder of the ‘Grass Roots World Music Festival 2012 - 2014 (Syd West Multicultural Services, Blacktown Arts)

Richard has provided contracted work for:

  • Canterbury Bankstown City Council - to initiate and lead consultations for 'Innovation Pods' creative capacity building project

  • Musica Viva - re-imagining their regional touring program

  • Hawkesbury Council - Live Music Consultant

  • Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority - artistic direction of community festivals

MARIA MITAR

Co-Artistic Director, Co-founder

Maria has spent the last 25 years working in the arts and cultural sector, across a range of community, government and cultural institutions as a performance curator, producer, events manager and community arts and cultural development practitioner. Aside from her own music career, she has helped many artists by facilitating a vision for their future and building the cultural capacity of minority groups, women and artists and communities from diverse cultural backgrounds.

THE COLLECTIVE

  • Our Graphic Designer - Michelle Ordev, ordev@optusnet.com.au

  • Our Visual Artist - Ghasan Saaid, www.ghasansaaid.com

  • Our Photographers -Stephen and Gerrie, www.gerrie.com.au

  • Our Videographer - Reilly Baker, rjb@me.com

AND a host of musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds who we create and collaborate with.