SCAF's Crescent House by Andrew Burns
Article by Amy Frearson, Dezeen, 22 April 2013

Australian architect Andrew Burns has installed a charred timber pavilion with deceptively curved walls in the garden of the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF) in Paddington, Sydney. Named Crescent House, the structure was designed with a symmetrical geometry that comprises two intersecting arcs within a rectangular frame.

Centennial Park Labyrinth - Project Update
By Kim Ellis

Progress on the construction of the Centennial Park Labyrinth is proceeding well aided by a stretch of good weather throughout May.

The concrete slab has been completed and the laying of the stone is well underway, with approximately 40% of the more than 1,500 individual pieces now in place.

Beyond Empathy - snapshot of 2013
by Anna Buduls, Chair

It has been another year of very hard work, and of great achievements at Beyond Empathy. Two particular highlights include Phillip Crawford bringing to fruition and to the big screen, the wonderful, and already internationally acclaimed, film, Rites of Passage, and the joyous celebratory Silver City Song Lines performance event in Armidale. Both artistic outcomes paid tribute to the dedication and creative capacities of the young people with whom Beyond Empathy works, and both made audience members glow with pride and joy on behalf of the performers.

Turning the dream into a reality -
Chris O'Brien Lifehouse opens to patients 5 November 2013

When much-loved Sydney cancer specialist Professor Chris O’Brien was diagnosed with an aggressive tumour it was the start of an incredible journey which opened his eyes to the disease from a patient’s perspective and drove him to fight even harder for improved services. Chris and his colleagues shared a vision to create a patient-centred, world-class comprehensive cancer centre in Sydney. Now that dream is becoming a reality.

Australian World Orchestra Opera House Concert
3 October 2013: Zubin said it all
J-Wire review by Fraser Beath McEwing

At his fifth and final curtain call at the end of the Sydney Opera House concert by the Australian World Orchestra, celebrated conductor, Zubin Mehta, held up his hands for silence.  "Do you realise what you've got here?" he sang out, indicating the 105 players behind him.  "Yes!" the audience chorused back.  "Don't let it go", he implored.  Then, with a final bow, he strode into the wings.

62nd Blake Prize Winners announced
17 October 2013

"Metamorphosis" by Trevor Nickolls has been awarded the 62nd Blake Prize. The judges were unanimous in appreciation for both the painting's artistic expertise and its resonant engagement with the specific theme of the art prize. As the title implies, this work engages with ideas of transformation and the interrelationship of worldly elements and spirit. In the accompanying artistic statement, Nickolls (now deceased) closes by also highlighting his relation to kin: "My people come from the Murray River, Ireland and Afghanistan." Religion is very much a matter of relation.

MILK CRATE THEATRE: FULL CIRCLE Interview on ABC Life Matters
27 August 2013 Presented by Natasha Mitchell

Full Circle asks the question: What is the story of mental health in the community and how can prejudices be challenged? Interviewer Natasha Mitchell believes that "the actors at Milk Crate Theatre bring a special kind of insight to their work; many have experienced homelessness or social marginalisation.

Listen to the ABC Life Matters Interview 27 August 2013

Sydney Story Factory: Celebrating their First Birthday
8 August 2013 

It's been an action-packed year and Sydney Story Factory are thrilled to announce that in their first year they've had nearly 1,500 student enrolments. Students have come from a wide range of backgrounds, and nearly 100 different schools. 21% of students were Indigenous, and 40% from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Primavera 2013: Young Australian Artists
12 September - 17 November 2013 

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) reveals the eight artists selected for the 22nd edition of Primavera, the annual exhibition for Australian artists aged 35 years and under. 

Sydney Story Factory: Visit from ABC (Story by Lucy Carter)
22 June 2013 

The ABC News team stopped by the Sydney Story Factory and featured them on their news bulletin on the weekend of 22 June 2013. 

Daniel Lurie: Call to young philanthropists

Daniel Lurie is a passionate believer in the importance of young people becoming philanthropically engaged. Through Philanthropy Australia, the Nelson Meers Foundation funded Daniel's recent tour to Australia to support our own 'new gens' make their impact. During June 2013, over 300 people attended Daniel's keynote addresses in Sydney and Melbourne which were undertaken ‘in conversation style’ with Katrina Strickland, Deputy Editor, Australian Financial Review Magazine. The events were held in the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney (evening) and at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne (breakfast).

Beyond Empathy Rites of Passage accepted for film festivals

Beyond Empathy's Film "Rites of Passage", which was partly funded by a successful crowd-funding campaign, has just been accepted into the Woods Hole Film Festival in Massachussetts USA and Auburn International Children and Youth Film Festival, Australia. A win for crowd-funders and movie-makers alike - congratulations to everyone involved!

Documentary Australia Foundation wins 2013 AIDC Stanley Hawes Award

Documentary Australia Foundation (DAF), which aims to inspire and nurture partnerships between philanthropic individuals, private foundations, charities and documentary flmmakers, has been awarded the 2013 Australian International Documentary (AIDC) Stanley Hawes Award.

Beyond Empathy Crowd Funding Campaign

Rites of Passage is a film of love and hope made by young people whose lives are anything but ordinary. The Crowd Funding Campaign launched by Beyond Empathy raised over $30,000. Additional contributions will pay for the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) to make a Student Guide for the film and to mass produce DVDs for students. To visit their website and donate, click here.

Kaldor Public Art Projects: 13 Rooms
11-21 April 2013
Pier 2/3 Hickson Road Walsh Bay Sydney

Kaldor Public Art Project #27, entitled 13 Rooms, brings together 13 famous artists and more than 100 performers to present an innovative group exhibition of 'living sculpture' within 13 purpose-built rooms.