All The Queens Men collaborate with communities of all shapes, sizes, and identities to produce transformative creative experiences that champion equality, social health, and human connection.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, All The Queens Men is an independent arts organisation founded by award-winning performance artists Tristan Meecham and Bec Reid. The two met on the dance floor, immediately shared a tequila shot, and have been collaborating ever since; united in their belief that artistic community collaboration, bound by strong partnerships, can activate positive social change.
Over the past decade, ATQM has built meaningful and extensive relationships throughout the health, arts, and community sectors to create a thrilling body of work, which has been presented at festivals and arts venues globally. This has consolidated the Company’s reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting, community-focused arts organisations.
ATQM started its journey with the riotous, public spectacle, Fun Run, presented as part of the Next Wave festival in Melbourne (2010). Fun Run brought together many elements that define ATQM’s creative practice: a performance event created in collaboration with diverse citizens that reflects the city, community, and context in which it is shared. Since its premiere, Fun Run has been presented around the world – from Ansan to Sydney, Taipei to Kuopio, Hong Kong to Galway. Over 5,000 people have been involved in the making and performing of Fun Run, and it has been seen by an estimated 100,000 people.
As a parent of someone with a disability, I realised how Fun Run valued inclusion. My son was not segregated; the community saw people with disabilities participate, having fun and holding it with the best of them. Fun Run includes everyone! Lisa, Fun Run participant’s parent.
ATQM is a radical organisation where everyone is welcome and space is created for voices less heard to be amplified. The Company is proud of its history of collaborating with diverse communities from the ground up and, over the past decade, has worked with a wide variety of people: rainbow ‘elders’ in dance halls; young people in schools and museums; LGBTI+ communities in city squares and public spaces; culturally diverse communities in parliament and council chambers; and inclusive communities in local halls and arts centres.
ATQM has become a leading creative voice within the LGBTI+ community nationally and internationally, most specifically for championing the rights of LGBTI+ elders. The Company’s practice, expressed through projects such as The Coming Back Out Ball, LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club and Rainbow Reviews, enables LGBTI+ communities improved access, not only to arts experiences, but to broader community health and social services.
There is so much work to be done and we can’t forget our LGBTI+ elderly just because we’re young. Our community was built by those who came before and now they need our support. – Lizzi, LGBTI+ elder.
Committed to supporting health and wellbeing through creative participation and social connection, ATQM consistently partners with peak health bodies, extending reach into communities beyond the arts.
Love + Art + Community has been the driving force behind ATQM for the past decade. It’s a simple but powerful formula – one the Company intends to pursue for years to come.
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ATQM’s vision is for all communities to fearlessly embrace joy, social justice, and their own creativity.
ATQM’s purpose is to collaborate with communities of all shapes, sizes, and identities to produce transformative creative experiences that champion equality, social health, and human connection.
The company values RADICAL OPTIMISM, PRIDE, ACTIVISM, GENEROSITY and RESPECT.
By practising these values, ATQM:
• Supports communities to assert social agency on their own terms. No fear. No discrimination. No shame.
• Respects and reflects the values and practices of the communities it works with. Always listening, learning, and growing.
• Agitates for social change that is relevant, inclusive, and meaningful.• Enhances the creative and artistic power of communities.
• Amplifies the voices of those less heard.
• Forges an optimistic community spirit that will not be contained.
ATQM’s Core Objectives are to:
• Celebrate multiplicity by elevating voices less heard.
• Activate creativity as a tool for social justice and equity.
• Empower communities, by enabling individual and collective agency.
• Nourish relationships, cultivate connections, and expand our reach and impact.
• Strengthen our operational capacity so we can continue to make great things happen.