Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

This paper explores how a transcultural arts collective sustains its practice through non-hierarchical collaboration and prioritising relationships. Company Bad creates performance work bringing together artists from Australia, Korea, and beyond. Rather than focusing on commercial success, the collective’s small-scale and organic way of working nurtures well-being and care for one another. By cycling through creative roles and sharing tasks, the group supports each individual’s strengths while cultivating understanding between diverse cultural backgrounds. Company Bad’s practice enacts a vision of community life valuing diversity, responsive processes, and care over capitalist priorities like productivity and control. Through long-term partnerships crossing borders, the collective activates new works of cultural exchange and storytelling. Their work addresses social agendas by bringing people together in friendship through shared creative adventures. By sustaining this practice through trust and collaboration Company Bad demonstrates how the arts can thrive by living beyond mere survival and flourishing through human connection.