In response to COVID-19 racism, Diversity Arts Australia commissioned new developments by 68 Asian artists from all creative practice areas, including visual artists, writing, poetry, performance, screen, audio-visual, music, illustrations, and more.
With our partner 4A, we held the first project exhibition and several events as part of the Acute Actions: responses to I am Not a Virus exhibition (Part 1).
Acute Actions Part 2 opened on Thursday 3 June 2021 and ran until Sunday 4 July 2021. Information about Acute Actions can be found here.
In 2021 we commissioned an additional 10 works by 10 artists in partnership with Inner West Council NSW.
Keep up to date with past and upcoming events through the section below:
News and updates
- Project Update – 2025: DARTS receives funding for I Am Not A Virus development
- 10 October – 19 November 2025 at the Australian Design Centre, NSW: No Friends But The Ghost (Ceng Beng) Exhibition
- 9-25 March 2023 at Thirning Villa, Ashfield, NSW: Rituals of Resistance: Inner West Artists Respond To I Am Not A Virus Exhibition
- I Am Not A Virus Website shortlisted for two web awards – the CSS Design Awards and Awwwards
- December 2021 Reclaiming Narratives: Melbourne artists respond to I Am Not A Virus Exhibition opens at St Albans Community Centre (STACC)
- November 2021 #IAmNotAVirus Showcase: Five screenworks respond to COVID-related racism (event)
- November 2021 Reclaiming Narratives: Melbourne artists respond to I Am Not A Virus Exhibition opens at RMIT Gallery
- November 2021 Reclaiming Narratives: Melbourne artists respond to I Am Not A Virus online launch (event)
- July 2021 Rituals of Resistance: Inner West Artists’ response to I Am Not A Virus opens.
- July 2021 Off The Page: Design, illustration and authorship in contemporary comics (Acute Actions Closing) for Acute Actions: Responses to I Am Not a Virus (Part 2)
- June 2021 Acute Actions: responses to I am Not a Virus exhibition (Part 2) opens.
- May 2021 Panel x Performance // Let’s unpack acute acts (event) for Acute Actions: Responses to I Am Not a Virus (Part 1)
- May 2021 Art, craft, collective solidarity and fandom culture: Sophia Cai (event) for Acute Actions: Responses to I Am Not a Virus (Part 1)
- 2021 Final Slate of Artists Announced for I Am Not a Virus
- 2021 Call-out for Inner-West Sydney based artists. Applications close 15 February 2021
- 2020 Announcement of selected artists for Round 1 national call-out.
Peril Magazine
As part of I Am Not A Virus, Diversity Arts partnered with Asian-Australian literary magazine Peril to commission writing that challenged the xenophobia of the pandemic with powerful counter-narratives and heartfelt truths.
Peril’s special edition features ten written works by Eunice Andrada, Priyanka Bromhead, Matcho Cassidy, Tina Huang, Kelly Huynh, Eric Jiang, Christine Lai, Jacqueline Mohr, Huyen Hac Helen Tran and Tien Tran.
Preview of the new works
Sneak preview of some works:
qi – Amy Zhang + Maggz
Operation Kung Flu – Maria Tran
Laksa – Joe Lui & Deborah Ong
Project Update – 2025
DARTS receives funding for I Am Not A Virus development
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) has received funding through the Visions of Australia program, an initiative of the Australian Government, to support the development of the I Am Not A Virus project. This funding supports a focused period of research, partnership building, and strategic planning to strengthen how the project will be delivered and expanded nationally.
Learn more about the program here:
About the project
I Am Not A Virus is an artist-led initiative responding to anti-Asian racism that intensified during COVID-19. The project centres Asian Australian voices and uses contemporary art as a platform to explore race, identity, representation, and belonging. Through exhibitions and public programs, it brings together artists and audiences to engage with lived experiences and challenge dominant narratives in the cultural sector.
Since its initial presentations, the project has built a strong network of artists, collaborators, and audiences. It has demonstrated the role of the arts in creating space for dialogue, reflection, and collective understanding, particularly in response to racism and exclusion.
Development phase
This development phase is focused on shaping the next stage of the project with greater clarity and reach. DARTS will work closely with artists, curators, and community stakeholders to refine the curatorial framework and strengthen the overall program design. The process includes building partnerships with arts organisations, identifying suitable venues and presentation models, and exploring how the work can connect with diverse audiences across different regions.
This phase also allows time to test ideas, respond to local contexts, and align the project with broader sector needs. It is an important step in making sure the next iteration of I Am Not A Virus is grounded, responsive, and sustainable.
Looking ahead
The outcomes of this phase will inform a clear delivery and touring framework for the project, alongside expanded partnerships and a stronger public engagement approach. It positions I Am Not A Virus for future presentations and collaborations across Australia, with the potential to reach wider audiences and deepen its impact.
DARTS will continue working with artists and partners to build a program that reflects lived experience and supports ongoing conversations around race, representation, and belonging in the arts.
Caption: Co-Curator Annie Brockenhuus-Schack (left) visiting venues across Australia during a national scoping trip.
Funded by:
This project is led by Diversity Arts Australia and is a partnership with Asian Australian Alliance, Democracy in Colour, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art with funding from Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW, City of Sydney, City of Parramatta and Inner West Council.