Shakthi Sivanathan

As its Director, Shakthi has led CuriousWorks to deliver a series of creative initiatives that have had sustainable and innovative outcomes for all Australians. His first initiative was The Migrant Project, which brought together 40 Sydneysiders with cultural and artistic ancestries from across the globe. From 2005-2007, The Migrant Project was a series of live performances and forums, garnering an audience of just over 2,000 people. A feature documentary concluded the project.

His second initiative was to develop a best-practice model for using digital media in a simple, positive, lasting manner in marginalised communities, which has led to long-term community projects in Western Sydney and remote Western Australia.

His latest initiatives are The Stories Project, a program which provides a pathway for potential cultural leaders to become employed, professional, influential media makers on behalf of their community; and The Lanka Project, a multi-platform initiative of theatre, audiovisual and community projects bringing the lives of Sri Lankan – Australians to the fore.

All of this work has focused on respectful collaboration with some of Australia’s most marginalised communities and the ongoing sharing of contemporary, untold, Australian stories through traditional and digital distribution methods. In 2011, Shakthi was awarded the Australia Council’s Kirk Robson, given annually to a young artist showing leadership in community arts and cultural development. From 2013-2015, he is the inaugural Associate Artist at Carriageworks.

Shakthi also writes and produces his own music under the moniker Asi, the music of which features particularly in The Lanka Project.