Queensland's multicultural arts program for the development, presentation and promotion of culturally diverse arts and artists.

Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) is Queensland's multicultural arts program for the development, presentation and promotion of culturally diverse arts and artists. BEMAC is committed to delivering arts led practice that unifies and creates a harmonious community, promotes a sense of belonging and builds community confidence and resilience. In 2015, BEMAC formed a ground-breaking alliance with Access Community Services Ltd that combines the creative capital of BEMAC and the strategic organisational capacity of Access.

This partnership has created the platform for BEMAC to become recognised as a national and international leader in multicultural arts with settlement playing a pivotal role in building social cohesion. BEMAC is recognised nationally as the heart of multicultural arts in Queensland through the development, presentation and promotion of the artistic value, cultural and social work and commercial potential of diverse multicultural arts and artists. BEMAC aims to transform arts led practice in Queensland by creating opportunities to positively contribute to the settlement journey of refugees and migrants.

The annual program of events provides opportunities for live music artists from CALD backgrounds and world musicians to hone their craft, increase employment and excite and attract new audiences.

The program has developed a strong brand providing a well-developed structure to support and promote the work of musicians and a well-established track record of achievement in the presentation, service delivery, and skills development, providing an essential service to a niche genre and specific target group of artists, assisting in the access of resources and development of audiences and markets.

In late 2012, BEMAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to manage the newly opened Queensland Multicultural Centre (QMC), the state’s premiere venue uniquely dedicated to celebrate Queensland’s rich cultural heritage and diversity through arts and cultural activities. It was established through a partnership between the State Government and property developers Australand. QMC is situated at the front of the historic Yungaba site, which was the first point of reception for new migrants arriving by boat into Brisbane. BEMAC manages the Centre in a strategic partnership with the State Government.

This agreement provides BEMAC with a purpose built venue to present self-entrepreneurial and touring work, it also provides a discrete income stream and partnership opportunities with other arts and cultural organisations whilst simultaneously creating the opportunity to directly engage with a new, multicultural audience.