Program Delivery
We work with people, place, and purpose to co-design change.
Soft Systems Lab plans, produces, and delivers participatory arts programs that bring people together through inclusive, place-based creative experiences. Our projects are grounded in culturally safe, interdisciplinary practice, engaging diverse communities through arts-led approaches to health, belonging, and resilience.
Program Areas
We deliver socially-engaged creative programs tailored to people, place, and purpose.
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Participatory arts projects that support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
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Programs that build bridges across age and culture through shared creative process.
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Co-designed cultural activation in public and community spaces.
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Creative projects that support communities in response to trauma, disaster, or disruption.
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Programs that amplify community voice and strengthen participation in civic life through artistic expression.
Projects
REVELLING
Cardinia Shire Council, Cardinia Cultural Centre, 2024-2025
REVELLING is an intergenerational and intercultural dance and film project that brought together over fifty participants across three local government areas. Through workshops developed with artists Vivienne Rogis and Sara Di Segna, participants took part in creative development and site-specific performance-making at Mount Cannibal (Garfield North, Victoria), exploring connection, identity, and belonging through movement.
The project culminated in a live performance at HillsceneLIVE Festival in the Yarra Ranges (2024) and a month-long public film screening at the Art After Dark program at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren (2025)
Gama-dji
Yarra Ranges Council, Belgrave, 2026-27
Gama-dji is a collaborative songwriting project that brings together community singers, artists, and Wurundjeri knowledge holders to create new songs in Woiwurrung and English. Developed in partnership with Wurundjeri Traditional Custodian Mandy Nicholson and Music Director Dalys Hill, the project will deliver significant outcomes in language revitalisation and cultural exchange. The songs will be shared with choirs and communities across the Yarra Ranges, creating opportunities for learning, participation, and deepening connection to Country through collective singing.
Queer Art Collective (QAC)
VicHealth & Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey, 2022-2024
A socially engaged arts and health initiative supporting LGBTQIA+ communities across Melbourne's South-East. Through youth-led co-design, creative events, intergenerational exchange, and the creation of new public art, the project fostered connection, visibility, and wellbeing while strengthening relationships between the LGBTQIA+ community, community organisations, and health services.
The resulting public artwork, ‘Carabiner Bench, Nature found no fault with me’ by Tay Haggarty and QAC Collaborators, was shortlisted for the Art for Social Change category of the Incinerator Art Award 2025.
Resounding - A singing thing
Cardinia Shire Council, Tonimbuk, 2019-2021
A creative recovery initiative supporting communities affected by the Bunyip Complex Bushfires. Developed with artists Stephen Taberner and Roderick Price, this project was delivered in partnership with the Creative Recovery Network and Lifeline Australia. Supporting communities across Cardinia Shire, the project used singing, songwriting, and storytelling to create opportunities for connection, reflection, and recovery.
This project combined trauma-informed consultation with place-based creative workshops for adults and children, live performance events, and the production of an album featuring original songs.
We work with partners to design and deliver community-based arts projects that foster wellbeing, cultural expression, and social connection.
Juliet - REVELLING participant
“It all came together like a flower coming into bloom. I thought that the entire experience was amazing.
Jane - Resounding - A Singing Thing participant
“It was comforting and confronting to see how much we are all still impacted by the fires, but it also resonated how important it is to come together as a community and share these beautiful and powerful moments.”
Queer Art Collective young participant
“The Queer Art Collective provided a space where we could leave societal expectations at the door, feel comfortable, and embrace exploring sometimes hard themes within our art. The levels of vulnerability fostered within QAC sessions helped me reach the point where I needed to let myself feel seen.”
Queer Art Collective young participant
“I think that connecting different generations of queer people has been invaluable... young people... see people like themselves at different stages of life, and older queer folk see the social progress helping queer youth thrive.”
Queer Art Collective young participant
“The veneration and celebration of the Queer Temporary Public Artwork helped me feel more rooted within the community. My involvement has helped me feel like there's a space for me.”
Queer Art Collective - Guest Artist Sarah Ward
“Thanks so much for inviting us to be a part of QAC… You really make everyone feel like they matter.”
Queer Art Collective young participant
“QAC has helped me feel driven to connect more with my queer identity and seek other queer connections and experiences. It has shown me that success can manifest through my queerness, not despite, and shown me the power we have to create our own spaces.
It allowed me to express myself in a way I hadn’t before, more openly & freely. I believe it gave me more confidence... allowing me to be open with my sexuality has positively impacted my mental health.”
Ann-Maree - REVELLING participant