ABORIGINAL CULTURAL SUPPORT PROGRAM

Arts North West Aboriginal Cultural Support Program works with individuals and organisations to build and improve opportunities for Aboriginal arts and communities in our region.

Extensive community consultation and strategic partnerships guide the development of programs and partnerships designed to foster and develop paid opportunities for Aboriginal artists, and build cultural safety and competency throughout all Arts North West initiatives.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Funding is to support and foster Aboriginal artists in the New England North West. Arts North West has engaged three First Nations contractors to deliver a myriad of programs and projects throughout the North West to diversify and increase opportunities for Indigenous creatives.

view the ARTS NORTH WEST ABORIGINAL ARTS & Cultural STRATEGY 2024 - 2028 (pdf, 2.3 MB)

Image: 7 Sisters Project. Photo by Suzie Wicks.

Are you looking to take your art to the next level?

Arts North West is looking for two people to attend the sixth National Indigenous Arts Fair under the guidance of previous attendees. The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centers from across Australia. NIAF 2025 follows the successful 2024 event which attracted 22,000 visitors over two days.

The markets are from Saturday 05 to Sunday 06 July, 2025 with Professional and Creative development sessions held prior from Wednesday 02 July to Friday 04 July, 2025 on the Gadigal Land in The Rocks, Sydney, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Mentors and mentees will have all expenses paid including travel, accommodation, and meals with all income from sales at the Arts Fair returning to the artists.

This opportunity has been made possible through the Australian Government’s IVAIS Grant Fund.

Apply now for the NIAF Mentee Program

MyALL CREEK memorial events 2024

‘MYALL CREEK memorial EXHIBITION’ + ‘Gather & Trade: Aborginal Artisan Micro Markets’

In 2024 Arts North West is partnering with Ceramic Break Sculpture Park in Warialda to deliver the ‘Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition’ and ‘Gather and Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’ as part of the Myall Creek Commemoration events.

The Myall Creek Massacre is a dark chapter for the town and for Australia's history. It is day for solemn remembrance of the massacre of approx. 30 Wirrayaraay people that occurred on 10 June 1838 and subsequent trials and hangings of 7 settlers for their roles in this tragedy.

The memorial events pay tribute to the strength and resilience of First Nations people in the face of devastating colonial actions. While this event is an amazing opportunity for communities to recover, reconcile, and share works and art, we do ask that all participants please research the history of the event and be aware of the serious nature of this day. Please refer to www.myallcreek.org for further information on the history.

If you would like to be part of this historical event:

‘Gather and Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’

Register as a Stallholder for the ‘Gather and Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’ complete the stallholder application below by 5.00pm Thursday 6 June, 2024.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ‘GATHER & TRADE: ABORIGINAL ARTISAN MICRO MARKETS’ REGISTRATION

Saturday 8 June, 2024

📌 8.00am - 10.00am - Market Stall Bump-in

📌10.00am - 3.00pm - Market Stalls and entertainment

📌3.00pm - 6.00pm - Market Stall Bump -out

If you would like to host a workshop or perform as part of this event:

CLICK HERE FOR THE EOI FOR WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES

More Information:

Each year Arts North West hosts a series of ‘Gather & Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’ throughout the New England North West in 2023. ANW invites First Nations artists, craftspeople, and cultural artisans to submit an expression of interest to have a stall and be part of each event. This was great opportunity for local Aboriginal creatives to sell their art and products, and reach a wider audience to promote their goods and practices.

Myall Creek memorial exhibition

⭐Register your artwork to be part of the ‘Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition’ complete the submission form by Thursday 23 May, 2024.

CLICK HERE FOR ‘MYALL CREEK MEMORIAL EXHIBITION’ REGISTRATION

📌 Artwork Drop-off 12.00pm Sunday 26 May, 2024 at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, 2535 Allan Cunningham Road, Warialda NSW

📌Official Opening 11.00am Saturday 8 June, 2024 and the exhibition continues until July, 2024 - Gold Coin Donation required.

More Information:

Every year the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park invites established and emerging Aboriginal Artists to contribute works as part of the ‘Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition’. An exhibition that showcases contemporary and traditional arts practices as well as shares the journey, connection and stories of our First Nations people on Country. Artists from throughout NSW can submit artworks as part of the exhibition.

National Indigenous Art Fair 2024

Arts North West is taking four First Nations people to National Indigenous Art Fair in 2024. The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. NIAF 2024 follows the successful 2023 event which attracted 22,000 visitors over two days.

The Markets are from Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 June, 2024 with Professional and Creative development sessions held prior from Tuesday 25 June to Friday 28 June, 2024 on the Gadigal Land in The Rocks, Sydney, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Mentors and mentees will have all expenses paid including travel, accommodation, and meals with all income from sales at the Arts Fair returning to the artists. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that has been funded by IVAIS and Create NSW.

Aboriginal arts steering committee

Arts North West supports the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to celebrate and practise their cultures and to fulfil creative and cultural aspirations. Furthermore, we recognise and respect that Aboriginal people have a right to self-determination particularly in respect to cultural matters. This includes making decisions about preserving and sharing their traditional and contemporary cultural knowledge and practices.

Arts North West, through the Aboriginal Cultural Support Program, provides dedicated, cohesive, and regionally-based support for Aboriginal arts and cultural development which will allow our community greater access to opportunities to strengthen culture through arts practice, projects and career development.

The NENW Aboriginal Arts Steering Committee supports Arts North West with cultural guidance and decision-making, strategic planning, advice and feedback and will be developing respectful and sustainable relationships based on trust and respect for our cultural values and our histories. The NENW Aboriginal Arts Steering Committee is comprised of two Aboriginal volunteer representatives from each of the contributing LGAs in our region.