Increased support for Aboriginal Art Centres

Aboriginal Art Directory | 29.05.08

Australia’s Indigenous arts industry will be strengthened thanks to $1.6 million worth of additional funding announced today by Arts Minister, Peter Garrett.

Delivering on a 2007 election commitment to boost support to Aboriginal art centres, 32 organisations have been funded to carry out 37 projects, many of them involving urgently-required infrastructure work.

The $1.6 million in additional 2007–08 NACIS funding will support infrastructure, professional development, marketing and governance projects around the nation, including:

In South Australia: $138 500 to assist Tjala Arts at Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands to construct a new art centre;
In Western Australia: $50 000 for Martumili Artists in the East Pilbara to upgrade its art centre by providing essential staff accommodation;
In the Northern Territory: $250 000 for the Ikuntji Community Inc at Haast’s Bluff to extend and improve the infrastructure of their growing arts centre;
In Queensland: $65 000 for the Bynoe Community Advancement Cooperative in Normanton to build work space for an extra 25 artists;
In New South Wales: $25 000 to Arts Northern Rivers, Alstonville to upgrade arts facilities for local Indigenous artists; and
In Victoria: $25,000 to enable East Gippsland Aboriginal Art Cooperative, Bairnsdale to deliver governance training and professional development for artists.

”Indigenous arts and crafts practice has developed into an internationally renowned industry,” Mr Garret said.

“Strong art centres, and the industry organisations that support them, play a crucial role in maintaining culture as well as generating income and employment opportunities.”

“The Australian Government is strongly committed to initiatives that provide the sector with the support and infrastructure they need to create and market their work.”

Mr Garrett said the planned introduction of a resale royalty scheme would further support the Indigenous arts community and provide artists with proper recognition of their ongoing rights in their work.

The $1.6 million funding is part of the Government’s $7.6 million election commitment to strengthen the Indigenous arts industry which is being delivered through the National Arts and Craft Industry Support (NACIS) program. The funding increases support through NACIS, the Indigenous visual arts Special Initiative and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy in 2007–08 to $8.7 million.

Visit www.arts.gov.au/indig for information on projects supported in this funding round and in coming months to view the details of the successful applicants for 2008–09 NACIS funding.

URL: http://www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/national_arts_and_crafts_industry_support/_indigenous_visual_arts_special_initiative_2007-08

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