About Creative Compass
For refugee artists, creative practice is more than a profession — it’s a lifeline, bridging past experiences with new possibilities.
Recognising art as a pathway to healing, cultural expression, and economic participation, SSI’s Humanitarian Settlement Program developed Creative Compass to invest in newcomer’s potential, offering tailored mentorship, skills development, and pathways into Australia’s arts industry.
With Creative Compass, refugee artists navigate new horizons, shaping their dreams while enriching Australia’s collective story.
Why Creative Compass?
Newly arrived refugee artists bring extraordinary skills, stories, and cultural traditions, yet too often face barriers to opportunity.
Through tailored mentorship, workshops, and connection to professional networks, the program helps artists:
- Build sustainable creative careers
- Foster social inclusion through exhibitions, performances, and community events
- Enhance wellbeing through creative expression and supportive spaces
- Access resources, studios, and professional networks
- Celebrate cultural identity across visual arts, music, performance, and storytelling
Art speaks across cultures and languages — it heals, inspires, and helps people feel at home in Australia.
Our impact
124
newly arrived artists
engaged in the program.
40,000
dollars in artist’s earnings
through sales, performances, and commissions.
90
percent of participants
reported a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion within the community.
FY24 and FY25
Behind the scenes of Creative Compass
What we do
Identifying Talent: Finding and nurturing creative clients within HSP
Artist Consultations: Providing orientation and tailored guidance on navigating the Australian arts industry
Workshops & Masterclasses: Building professional skills — from writing artist bios to setting up an art business
Education & Training Pathways: Connecting artists to formal learning and qualifications
Excursions: Facilitating creative experiences and immersions to deepen skills and connection
Exhibitions and showcases: Hosting exhibitions and events for artists, and connecting them with paid opportunities
Music Initiatives & Performances: Creating collaborative spaces for musicians and performers
Mentorship & Networking: Connecting artists with peers, mentors, and industry professionals
What’s on
A three-year creative partnership led by CuriousWorks in collaboration with SSI and the Sydney Opera House. It provides a platform for culturally diverse artists to explore themes of belonging and welcome, with each year featuring a new theme, a series of artist workshops, and a culminating public exhibition.
In partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation, Beyond Borders 2025 is a public exhibition taking place from 2–7 November, showcasing artworks by refugee-background artists from across the globe. The exhibition offers artists opportunities to sell work, gain income, and connect with Australia’s arts community
Regular mentorship and skills-based workshops support artists to develop their portfolios, navigate the Australian arts industry, and grow their creative practice. These sessions offer tailored guidance, peer connection, and access to valuable resources and professional networks.
Partnerships and collaboration
Collaboration is central Creative Compass. The program thrives through partnerships with organisations, businesses, and cultural institutions that share a commitment to inclusion and creative expression.
These collaborations make it possible to deliver workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship opportunities that open doors for refugee artists to connect with Australia’s arts industry. From co-curated events and professional development programs to in-kind support such as studio spaces and materials, partnerships and collaborations create meaningful pathways for refugee artists to connect, grow, and thrive within Australia’s arts industry.
So far, we have partnered or collaborated with:
- Cultural Arts Collective
- Macquarie Bank
- Diversity Arts Australia
- Sydney Opera House
- Community Refugee Welcome Centre
- CuriousWorks
- Art Gallery of NSW
- The University of Sydney
- 1 Elizabeth
Recent highlights
A six-week series of music workshops forming an ensemble of HSP artists, combining skill-sharing, professional guidance, and connection. The program culminated in a live performance during Refugee Week.
An 8-week program offering visual storytelling sessions led by by the gallery staff including a First Nations educator. It supported 25 refugee artists to develop creative skills while enhancing cultural learning and professional development.
Curated exhibitions and events at the Art Gallery of NSW, Ministry of Health, and Spirit of Welcome Festival celebrated refugee artists and explored identity, resilience, and cultural expression. Panels and events fostered dialogue and visibility within the arts and public health sectors.
Eight recently arrived refugee artists from Palestine, Syria, Burma, and Iran collaborated to create new music and cultural expression. The program culminated in a live performance at Bankstown Arts Centre.
In partnership with Macquarie Group Foundation, 16 refugee-background artists transformed the 1 Elizabeth Concourse shop into a dynamic gallery. Between December 2024 and July 2025, 31 artworks sold, generating over $25,000 in direct revenue for artists.
Future directions
Since forming in 2023, Creative Compass started as a small project and has grown into a pioneering, comprehensive program supporting artists to rebuild their creative lives and share their talents with Australian audiences. This is just the beginning. Future directions include:
- Promote Creative Compass artists to showcase and perform nationally
- Developing programs for refugee children and youth
- Establishing a dedicated art hub for rehearsals, exhibitions, and events
- Extending regional outreach and conducting long-term research into wellbeing and career outcomes
- Building a replicable model for culturally responsive arts programs
Get involved
Creative Compass is a growing movement of artists, mentors, and supporters.
If you’d like more information, if you’re a cultural institution wanting to collaborate, or a stakeholder interested in partnership opportunities — we’d love to hear from you.
Email: creativecompass@ssi.org.au
Ghasan Saaid