Bully Beef Stew – a fearless theatrical exploration of Aboriginal manhood devised and performed by Sonny Dallas Law, Colin Kinchela and Bjorn Stewart Director Andrea James, Photo: Cat Jones
Aboriginal arts and cultural expression is a vital part of contemporary Aboriginal society and is an important element of the social fabric of Aboriginal people and communities throughout Australia.
NSW has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia and a unique contemporary Aboriginal arts and cultural sector. The sector plays an important role in maintaining, enhancing and transmitting culture as Aboriginal artists seek to develop their own practice and find inspiration through their culture.
Funding Opportunities in 2013 for Aboriginal artists and organisations
- 2013 Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund
- Quick Response Grants: Aboriginal Arts and Creative Industries
- Strategic Support
Aboriginal projects that have received funding from Arts NSW
Arts NSW allocated over $2 million for strategic Aboriginal arts and cultural projects and programs in 2011-12. Specific programs and project highlights include:
- Triennial funding towards Bangarra Dance Theatre Indigenous Employment Program (2011-2013).
- Bangarra Dance Theatre also received funding to develop a professional development program for NSW Aboriginal dancers as part of the NSW Aboriginal Dance Initiative.
- Program funding to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place at Armidale.
- Strategic support for the Dhiiyaan Centre Moree through the leadership of the State Library NSW.
- Support for ten regional Aboriginal arts and cultural projects.
- Funding towards Message Sticks Festival Sydney Opera House 2012.
- Three leadership programs for Aboriginal curators and arts workers. One at the Australian Museum plus one at the 2012 Biennale of Sydney in partnership with the Office for the Arts, and one at Carriageworks in Redfern. In addition, funding towards the ACCELERATE Indigenous Australian Leadership Program.
- Funding to Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation for the Birpai (Birripi) men`s Group – watercraft culture and history project.
- Funding towards a Business Manager position for Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Initiative.
- Funding towards a series of workshops for local Aboriginal women to create a woven public art work “Warrambool dreaming” for an exhibition at Lightning Ridge.
- Quick response Aboriginal Arts and Creative Industries.
- Strategic Support for NSW Artists and art workers.
- Partnership funding with Health NSW to Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) for the Youth Drug and Alcohol- Aboriginal Art and Community Education Project.
- Funding for Youth Programs: Dance Camp with National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA Gosford) for up to 40 students in 2012 at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NICE) Redfern).
- Partnership funding for the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize.
NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy 2010-14
Full list of past funding recipients
The NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy was released in October 2010 and comprises four directions:
- Artists – increased participation of NSW Aboriginal people in arts and cultural activity
- Visibility – recognition and appreciation of NSW Aboriginal arts and cultural practice
- Community – Aboriginal arts and culture to assist in Closing the Gap
- Jobs – Aboriginal jobs and enterprises within the creative industries.
Download the NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy
More information
For more information on funding opportunities for NSW Aboriginal artists please contact Liza-Mare Syron, Senior Aboriginal Cultural Development Officer, or Michael Geia Administrative Officer, Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Support, on 9218 2222.
Other useful links
Aboriginal Arts Cultural Strategy Consultation Report
Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy – Key Issues paper
Aboriginal Arts and Culture Snapshot
Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy
