For the past decade, EVERYBODY NOW! has been at the forefront of participatory art-making in Australia, harnessing the power of storytelling, creativity, and artistic collaboration to inspire and connect communities.
As they mark this 10th anniversary, the company is launching a bold, year-long program of events, artist residencies, and large-scale public works – each reinforcing their commitment to making art with impact.
“For ten years, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with extraordinary artists, community members, and organisations across the country,” said Executive Director Kate Baggerson.
From large-scale cathartic dance experiences at major festivals, to seniors performing loud and proud slam poetry; playful inter-generational radio stations; fierce roller-skating rock shows; anthemic pop soundtracks; visual-arts projects; and bespoke performance experiences in country halls, parks, in the streets, in aged-care, hospitals, and schools; Everybody NOW! has grown into a truly multi-disciplinary, award-winning arts organisation.
This milestone is not just a celebration of our past, but a launchpad into an exciting new chapter marked by our commitment to providing new and innovative ways for communities to access and participate in the arts, to tell their stories, ignite their creativity and come together through art.
EVERYBODY NOW!’s work is underpinned by research that highlights the arts as a catalyst for social cohesion, wellbeing, and improved mental and physical health.
“Over the years we’ve built a significant body of data that attests to the social value of participatory art-making in bonding and building experiences that support communities to develop relationships, connection, and improve wellbeing.
We have moved communities, we’ve generated joy and we’ve shared real people’s stories in powerful, playful and optimistic ways. As we move into our next decade, we believe this is a critical time for creating art in this way, to weather uncertain times and combat polarisation” says Kate.
The Company’s 2025 program embodies a spirit of hope, joy and belonging, bringing together diverse voices in a series of deeply engaging, community-driven arts projects.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- International Collaborations – As a marker of their bold and bright future, Everybody NOW! are proud to embark on two new International, visual arts collaborations; ‘A Place to Belong’ with global design sensation Morag Myerscough (UK), and ‘Sky Ribbons’ with HOTA Home of the Arts as the Community Engagement partner.
- A year of Art Parties! – In a happy alignment with their own anniversary, Everybody NOW! have been commissioned to create birthday projects for 150 years of Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat Victoria, and 50 years of the Ipswich Civic Centre. Celebrating the vibrancy of community music these commissions bring together brass bands, choirs, concert musicians and musical theatre folks with beat-boxers, jazz players, First Nations artists, theremin’s, hip hop and pop for unlikely collaborators and memorable moments.
- Artist-In-Place – A new multi-year, place-centred residency program, embedding contemporary socially-engaged artists into neighbourhood and community centres on the Gold Coast.
- Creative and Connected – An artist-led workshop series carefully curated to generate social connection and wellbeing across visual arts, dance and writing.
- National Program – Continuing to grow their national reach Everybody NOW! will take their playful interactive families project Tin Can Radio, to Mackay, Adelaide and more destinations to be announced!
The 2025 program is a vibrant foundation for the future with new initiatives and relationships which allow us to reach more communities and create a pipeline of new Queensland work for years to come. The majority of our program will be primarily free or very low cost to participate in ensuring accessibility for all as it key to our values.
“We are proud of the profound impact our work has had on individuals and communities over the last ten years. We create ambitious, high-quality arts projects with real-world benefits, and as we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to deepening connections, amplifying new voices, and continuing to make art that matters,” said Everybody NOW!’s Chair, Donna Orazio
For more information on EVERYBODY NOW! visit www.everybodynow.com.au
