our story
Beyond Empathy was founded in 2005 by long time collaborators Phillip Crawford and Kim McConville. Since then, BE has worked in urban and suburban, regional and remote communities across Australia.
BE is an arts company with a proven record of delivering a variety of culturally ambitious and socially relevant art works.
We're proud of our catalogue of creative projects including internationally award winning feature films Rites of Passage and Protection created by young people in public housing communities in NSW; and nationally recognised Sea of Bellies perinatal arts program designed by First Nations mothers as they connect to Country, Culture and their Elders.
BE has delivered projects, led by communities, throughout Australia for over 20 years.
After 17 years at the helm, Kim and Phil made the unprecedented decision to entrust BE's future to the emerging leaders they'd mentored; participants who are now Beyond Empathy staff. Our Theory of Change approach is now integrated throughout our internal governance structure mirroring our projects on the ground.
We partner long-term with communities living under pressure to create high-calibre artistic projects which explore creativity, culture and lived experience through stories.
BE listens and amplifies these stories to national audiences enabling action beyond empathy.
art, influence, change
art
We know that creative expression is a human right. We believe communities that are often considered disadvantaged have stories worth listening to and culture worth sharing.
Our projects are led by the community, strengths based and exhibited on national platforms.
influence
We create partnerships between established artists and local communities to share their stories through high-calibre multi-arts projects.
We adopt a 'whole of community' approach; led by young emerging leaders and First Nations Elders, we collaborate with families, teachers, support services, grandparents and children.
Everyone is involved at every level to create relevant, influential work.
change
We know that creative activity drives social change.
Our artistic projects tackle complex social issues while our cultural development process improves socio-economic outcomes for the people involved and the audience that listens. Our participants learn skills, build resilience and develop their leadership.
Working with individuals we provide mentoring, support and employment pathways. Working together we build art that changes the audience and the future.
“The unique work of Beyond Empathy Illawarra is strengths based, built on trust and integrity through a community development approach, which effectively supports vulnerable children and their families and local services.
The success of the work can be attributed to being embedded in community, and the ability of the Beyond Empathy Illawarra team to provide mentoring and leadership to young people through engaging in creative opportunities such as film, podcasts, and music.
Rapport and the intentional personal interactions within appropriate boundaries, has resulted in the most meaningful relationships that has enhanced protective factors and wellbeing for young people and children.
They are at the heart of the work. Their voices are heard and valued which guides the work.”
Lisa O’Grady
Program Manager, Barnardos Australia
our history
we’ve worked with local creative producers in their local communities across many places.
NSW
Armidale
Moree
Lismore
Illawarra
Tamworth
Shoalhaven
Bowraville
Coffs Harbour
Forster
Narrabri
Inverell
Kiama
Kempsey
Boggabilla
Redfern
Taree
Shellharbour
Rozelle
Macksville
Nambucca
Taree
Wee Waa
VIC
Shepparton
Ballarat
Melbourne
QLD
Logan
Capalaba
Stradbroke Island
Woodridge
Deception Bay
Salisbury
Strathpine
Brisbane
Goonellabah
NT
Tennant Creek
WA
Derby
Fitzroy Crossing
Halls Creek
Darlmadangah
Pandanus
Mowenjum
Broome
Kununurra
Perth
The Pilbara
Newman
Beyond Empathy teams work with communities long term. Our projects develop over 4-5 years and eventually span generations.
Our 'whole of community' approach means we are now working with younger siblings and even the children of BE participants.
We collaborate with diverse communities, their established and emerging artists. Many of whom identify as or have lived experience in:
young people
children
First Nations communities
refugees
cultural and linguistically diverse artists and communities
regional and/or remote communities
public housing neighbourhoods
incarcerated individuals
people facing socio-economic challenges
homelessness, poverty and/or rough sleeping
mental health challenges
d/Deaf and/or disabled emerging artists & young people
marginalised groups who've experienced recurring hardship or trauma