A MAJOR gathering bringing together aspiring and existing leaders in Aboriginal Arts and Culture will take place in the New England North West centre of Armidale in late April, the result of a long-term collaboration between Arts North West, 2 Rivers and the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place.
The New England North West Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Leadership Symposium will be held at Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place from April 26 to 28.
Lorrayne Fishenden, 2 Rivers managing director, said the organisation is thrilled to bring together a group of inspiring and talented Aboriginal arts worders and cultural leaders from across the state.
“The program is jam-packed with wonderful opportunities for Aboriginal artists and arts workers from our region to broaden their skills, be inspired and create new networks,” she said.
Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said the organisation is pleased to partner on the event.
“We are constantly striving to further develop and build on our relationships with cultural organisations, community and creatives in our region and this symposium will only enhance this further, giving us a greater understanding to deliver of the needs of our New England North West Aboriginal arts community,” she said.
Designed for emerging, mid-career and established Aboriginal artists and arts workers in the New England North West, the symposium is aimed at those who identify as or aspire to be Arts leaders.
It will also bring together leaders from the region, NSW and nationally to provide a platform to facilitate a strong, resilient and vibrant sector and will explore the issues and challenges faced by Aboriginal regional artists and arts workers.
Key topics include: cultural leadership, collaboration and exchange, diversity, ethics and globalisation, emotional and social Intelligence, creativity and innovation, and self care.
Date: April 26 – 28, 2021
Venue: Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place
Registration: $100 includes access to the full program including networking events, entertainment and meals.
Bookings: bit.ly/3doUaFM
Included in the speakers program:
Bibi Barba
Bibi Barba was born in 1968 in Roma, located in the Mandandanji tribal area of Queensland. She was raised in Sydney, NSW. She is a talented artist and very passionate about her art and her Aboriginal heritage. She paints her mother and grandmother's dreamings.
Bibi is an art teacher and as she tells the story: “One day I had a phone call and they asked me to go and educate a mystery client and her children about Australian Indigenous art and culture and teach them painting. Later I found out that she was the actress and director Angelina Jolie.”
Buddy Hippi
Buddy Hippi is from Winangali Infusion, a family-owned-and-operated Edu-cultural Healing Service.
They pride themselves on delivering a high standard of engaging Gamilaraay Edu-cultural Healing Practices to many educational departments, organisations and communities across the country and on international platforms.
Winangali Infusion emphasise the ancient art of storytelling, art, language song and dance as well as nurturing all aspects of traditional culture to maintain community health and wellbeing foremost.
The New England North West Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Leadership Symposium is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.