The Museum of Sticks & Stones digs into hate and harm so we can find the humanity in one another.
The Museum of Sticks & Stones is more than an idea - it's a collective action. Join us as a Curator and receive special tools and invitations, and make change in your own community.
Hate is human. But humanity is built on common ground.
The world today feels fractured. 45% of Australians report feeling that the nation is more divided today than in the past, (Edelman Trust Barometer 2023) while 40% of us report experiencing hate and harm online (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) or 53% for teens (eSafety Commission).
Meanwhile, the frequency of social contact between Australians has been declining for decades, and now 1 in 3 of us report feeling regularly lonely. In this age of rage, our focus has become to help build the skills society needs to reduce hate and harm, and find the human in one another.
The Museum of Sticks & Stones is a mental health non-profit dedicated to fostering common ground in society, through the arts, play, history, and education. We believe hate is human, but humanity's success depends on understanding, kindness, and community.
We are a DGR-1 non-profit that began back in 2011 as a mental health charity focused on reducing the suicide rate in Australia. We’ve produced some of the world's most innovative mental health campaigns, from Soften the Fck Up to global data project How is the World Feeling?
Since launching our resources in 2022, we have reached more than 1 million people, and our tools have been used by more than 20,000 people. As of December 2024, we had more than 2,500 people participate in our in person programs, and trained almost 200 community leaders.
In 2024, we were nominated by the Australian Human Rights Commissioner for the UNESCO Mandanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.
OUR TEAM
Meet the team
We're a small but mighty bunch working towards a more human internet, reducing hate, and building empathy and peace in all aspects of society.
Co-Founder, Executive Director
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He/Him
William Smith-Stubbs
Chief Business Officer
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She/Her
Feda Adra
Creative and Community Lead
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She/Her
Urusaro Rwagaju
Marketing Specialist
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She/Her
Vivian Vu
Wellbeing Designer
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She/Her
Dr. Priyanka Naidu
Executive Assistant
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She/Her
Susie Lee
Financial Officer
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He/Him
Benjamin Moriarty
Chief Pats Officer
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He/Him
Zinger
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
Our other award-winning work
We're a small but mighty bunch, making change since 2011, and dedicated to improving mental wellbeing, reducing hate, and improving social connections.
Our mission is to foster common ground for all, and equip everyday people to see the human in one another.
Humanity
Humanity is deeply rooted in empathy and storytelling. It grows when nuance and perspective is appreciated. It delicately balances human imperfection with accountability.
Humanness is a prerequisite for each of the other values.
Frankness
Frankness speaks truth to power and holds up a mirror to the world. Frankness isn’t brash—rather it confidently crosses divides to foster conversations that might otherwise go unsaid. Frankness is an instigator of openness and change—and never takes itself too seriously.
Trust
Trust is created through connection, transparency, safety, and vulnerability. With trust, political divides soften—conversations more understanding.Trust narrows the gap that frankness seeks to cross.
Impact
The project must demonstrably improve people’s lives through reducing harm produced and experienced.
Impact is created through a clear focus on outcomes, clear measurement, and an understanding that the desired change is human behaviour.
OUR COLLABORATORS
We've partnered with some amazing teams
OUR SUPPORTERS
And received financial support from
ENTER THE VOID
Sometimes all we need is an outlet. Time and space to vent.
