HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABORIGINAL ARTS IN THE NSW REGIONAL ARTS NETWORK

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Frederick Stanley
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1 HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABORIGINAL ARTS IN THE NSW REGIONAL ARTS NETWORK The past ten years have seen a remarkable growth in Aboriginal arts activity within and across the network of 14 Regional Arts Boards (RABs) in NSW. Because the RABs are independent organisations that determine and deliver regional arts programs according to regional needs, priorities and resources, the approach to and level of Aboriginal arts activity across the state has varied considerably and followed different journeys. All regional arts programs support all arts activity, but there has been a steady increase in the number of RABs that have secured funding from sources other than core funding assistance from the NSW state government and local councils, so that Aboriginal arts activity could be supported through a more strategic and sustainable approach. In the early 2000 s, the approach to nurturing Aboriginal arts activity in regional NSW was fragmented. At the time a Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer was employed at Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) and a Regional Indigenous Development Cultural Officer (RICDO) employed by Outback Arts to work across councils in the Far West region. These positions lapsed after a period of time and no doubt was a function of the difficulties in covering such a vast area where little groundwork had been done. From 2005 several RABs embarked on a more visionary, long-term and strategic path. Arts Northern convened a meeting of Indigenous artists which led to the establishment of a Regional Indigenous Artists Advisory Group and subsequently the employment of two positions dedicated to Indigenous arts in the region and the development of the 3 Aboriginal Art Space in Lismore which offered artist workshop space and a focal point for connecting artists and conducting arts business training. In the Far West, the Regional Indigenous Strategy emerged from a consultancy commissioned by Outback Arts involving consultations across the entire region. One of the outcomes of this Strategy was the re-instating of the RICDO position in 2009 but restructured with a different RICDO appointed for one day a week in each of the towns: Warren, Cobar, Bourke, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Coonamble. In the mid north coast, the Foundations of our Future Strategy emerged from Arts Mid North s extensive consultation with 300 artists and cultural practitioners across the region in 2007/2008. This was a five-year Strategic Plan to overcome the barriers to individual and community development by establishing regional and community structures around arts and cultural practices. An Alliance of nine Local Aboriginal Land Councils was established to monitor the delivery of strategies aimed at broadening the income generation possibilities for Indigenous arts and cultural practitioners with an emphasis on maintaining core cultural ideals whilst encouraging sustainability in the modern world. A Regional Aboriginal Cultural Development Officer was employed in 2008, initially by Arts Mid North and then by the Alliance after it became incorporated as the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance. Saltwater Freshwater has since become a key Aboriginal organisation in the region. In 2009 Regional Arts NSW conducted two research projects on Aboriginal Arts in NSW. The first project mapped Aboriginal arts activity in NSW and was an invaluable resource not only to highlight the level of activity across the state but also to support proposals for future development on a statewide and regional level and to determine areas that required more assistance and support. The second project researched the training and professional needs of Aboriginal artists and arts organisations. History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

2 From 2010 a number of other regions continued to build on their groundwork of successful Aboriginal arts projects and subsequent upsurge in activity with the appointment of Aboriginal Arts Officers at Arts OutWest (Central West) in 2010, Arts North West, West Darling Arts and South East Arts in 2012, Orana Arts in 2013 and Murray Arts (Albury/Wodonga) in As of the beginning of 2014 there are 12 Aboriginal Arts Officers employed by eight RABs within the network, with seven on triennial agreements ( to ) with the federal government s Ministry for the Arts (five through the Indigenous Culture Support Program and two through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support) and one position through core funding from Arts NSW. After ten years without an Aboriginal Arts Officer but with a growing network of Aboriginal Arts Officers (AAO), RANSW received an increase in its core funding in 2012 to employ an Aboriginal Arts Development Officer. Until this time RANSW had conducted research on Aboriginal arts in regional NSW, undertaken small targeted projects, held regular teleconferences and annual face-to-face meetings with regional AAOs (from February 2011) and provided relevant information and professional development to the network. The securing of a position dedicated to this work however opened up many more opportunities to the entire Aboriginal arts sector including professional development targeted to their needs as well as a broadening of markets and showcasing of work through establishing links with Sydney organisations. ACRONYMS (used in table below) RANSW DCITA DEHWA DEEWR OFTA MFTA ICS NACIS IVAIS RICDO AAO AADO IADO RAF FaHCSIA Regional Arts NSW Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts Department of Environment Heritage Water and the Arts Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations Office for the Arts Ministry for the Arts Indigenous Culture Support Program National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (changed to IVAIS) Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer Aboriginal Arts Officer Aboriginal Arts Development Officer Indigenous Arts Development Officer Regional Arts Fund Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (now Department of Social Services) History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

3 ABORIGINAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT IN REGIONAL ARTS NSW NETWORK - Timeline Year Region Aboriginal Arts activity Notes 2000 Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer employed in July 3 year program funded through NSW Ministry for the Arts with first year joint support through Community Arts Association 2002 RANSW Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer resigned in June 2001 Outback Arts Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer (RICDO) employed 2004 Outback Arts RICDO ceased employment Not replaced 2005 Arts Northern Regional Indigenous Arts Advisory Group established 2006 West Darling Arts Wilcannia Arts Artist-in-Residence Project year one NSW Regional Indigenous Cultural Strategy developed Not replaced and unexpended funds disbursed to 3 regional Indigenous programs in the Mid North, Far West and West Darling. Funding through NSW Ministry for the Arts. Fulltime position. Assistance to artists in the Far West region Emerged out of a meeting organised by ANR attended by 30 artists from the region. 3 year project funded through Regional Arts Fund 3 extended residencies per year of different artforms held at the Wilcannia Arts Centre. Lino print, drawing and sculpture and found objects held in Group exhibition held at Broken Hill Regional Gallery end of each year Outback Arts Regional Indigenous Strategy developed Consultants Jalay employed to develop in consultation with Far West communities 2006 Outback Arts Living Arts and Culture portal launched Portal for Aboriginal artists to market their profile and works 2007 West Darling Arts Wilcannia Arts Artist-in-Residence Project year two 2007/2008 Arts Mid North Foundations of our Future Strategy developed 5 year Strategic Plan Alliance of 9 Local Aboriginal Land Councils established 2 nd year of 3 year project. Residencies in Drawing and Painting, Art-Door Murals and Paakantji Art. Exhibition held. Consultation with 300 artists in region working towards overcoming the barriers to individual and community development by establishing regional and community structures around arts and cultural practices. Led to appointment of officers as well as nurturing the development of Arts Centres in Kempsey, Forster and Coffs Harbour and has been instrumental in developing the Aboriginal Design Courses through North TAFE RANSW Jambama Art Shed, Casino - Mentoring project Six month project in partnership with Arts Northern and Richmond Valley Council to provide professional development and support with business and marketing development of new gallery. Funded through Regional Arts Fund Recipient Initiated Project History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

4 2007 RANSW Research project developing more culturally sensitive and appropriate grant processes 2007 West Darling Arts Wilcannia Arts Artist-in-Residence Project year Arts Northern Indigenous Arts Development Officer (IADO)employed 2008 Arts Mid North Regional Aboriginal Cultural Development Officer employed 2009 Arts Mid North Aboriginal Project Officer employed 2009 RANSW Research Mapping Aboriginal Arts activity in regional NSW Conducted in partnership with Boolarng Nangamai Art and Culture Studio on Gerringong. Joint presentation at National RAA Conference in Alice Springs in rd year of 3 year project. Residencies in Printmaking, Basket Weaving and Textile Art. Exhibition held. Joint funding DCITA/DEWHA and DEEWR. Position assists artists to develop their professional art practice and provides outreach support for artists in remote communities. Funding through ICS program of DEWHA. Funding through ICS program of DEWHA Funded through EIEI (Emerging Indigenous Entrepreneurs Initiative) of DEEWR (Dept Education Employment and Workplace Relations). Research formed basis for Network proposal West Darling Arts Wilcannia Arts Mentorship Program year one Two year RAF-funded project developing specific artistic disciplines and the creation of a 'Wilcannia Style' that embodies the Paakantji Culture and Land Arts Northern IADO position funded for another 3 years Indigenous Arts Business Manager (IABM)employed Establishment of 3 Aboriginal Art Space in Lismore 2009 Outback Arts RICDO program re-stated and RICDOs appointed 2010 RANSW Completion of research Training and Education Needs in the NSW Aboriginal Visual Arts Sector 3 year IADO funding through DEWHA. IABM position funded for one year through DEEWR to provide business support, marketing and sales services to artists and arts enterprises in the region as well as manage and build a sustainable business model includes establishment of Art Space RICDO appointed for one day a week in each of towns: Bourke, Cobar, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Warren and Coonamble. Funding for position through Federal Government NACIS (now IVAIS) and ICS programs of Office for the Arts. Funded by Arts NSW. Research conducted from July to December 2009 identifying training and professional development needs of Aboriginal artists in NSW RANSW Appointment of Indigenous rep on RANSW Board 2010 West Darling Arts Wilcannia Arts Mentorship Program year two Two year RAF-funded project developing specific artistic disciplines and the creation of a 'Wilcannia Style' that embodies the Paakantji Culture and Land West Darling Arts Exhibition in Sydney Work of Wilcannia artists from previous projects at Wilcannia Arts. History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

5 2010 Arts Northern Indigenous Advisory group incorporated as the of Art Aboriginal Corporation 2010 Outback Arts Connecting Marks and Country project RAF project re-connecting Aboriginal people with their heritage through material (artefacts) sourced from Powerhouse Museum and Australian Museum marks specific to Aboriginal people in this region and found near Cobar and Bourke. Artistin-residence workshops held in Far West communities (Cobar, Warren, Coonamble, Gulargambone, Bourke, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga) to re-produce traditional marks in contemporary form through printmaking. Subsequently Warren group artists exhibited their work in Sydney Arts Mid North A new incorporated entity emerged from the Foundations of our Future Strategy as Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance 2010 Arts Mid North Saltwater Freshwater Alliance weaving workshops 2010 Arts OutWest Aboriginal Arts Development Officer and Aboriginal Trainee employed. Alliance of 9 (now 10) Local Aboriginal Land Councils development of regional cultural identity through the Saltwater Freshwater brand. Hold annual Festival on Australia Day first in RAF funded project. Workshops by Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Arts and Culture Studio Joint funding through OFTA s NACIS and ICS programs annual funding. This position covered Dubbo as well as Central West region RANSW 1 st AAO Network meeting in Sydney Hosted by RANSW 10 AAOs attended networking and pd 2011 Arts OutWest Marramarra event in Bathurst Showcase of work produced in visual arts (Parkes, Cowra, Dubbo, Lake Cargelligo), dance (Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Cowra, Bathurst) and filmmaking and hip hop music (Orange, Condobolin, Wellington) workshops 2012 Arts Northern IADO funded for another year Funded by IVAIS (Office for the Arts). Role becomes more outreach with closure of Arts Business Centre in Lismore Arts OutWest Marramarra Bulla event in Parkes Showcase of work produced in visual arts and dance workshops 2012 Arts OutWest Aboriginal Arts Development Officer re-funded Joint funding through OFTA s IVAIS and ICS programs annual funding. This position covered Dubbo as well as Central West region. 2012/2013 Outback Arts Weaving across the Outback project Weaving workshops conducted by Boolarng Nangamai Art and Culture Studio in Bourke, Gulargambone, Coonamble, Cobar, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Warren in the first year and masterclasses in the second. The latter was funded through the Australian Government s Regional Fund and some of the work exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in the String Theory Exhibition and is now on tour nationally. History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

6 2012 Arts North West Aboriginal Arts Officer employed (part-time) Funding through ICS program of OFTA 2012 RANSW Aboriginal Arts Development Officer employed (part-time) 2012 South East Arts Aboriginal Creative and Cultural Engagement Officer employed (part-time) Funded through Arts NSW for three years One year funding through Arts NSW Regional Partnerships Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Action Plan, developed Based in Wilcannia. Funded through FaHCSIA West Darling Arts Aboriginal Arts and Enterprise Development Officer employed 2013 RANSW 2 nd AAO Network meeting in Sydney Hosted by RANSW 7 AAOs attended networking and pd 2013 RANSW Indigenous Engagement Project commenced Regional Arts Fund National Strategic Project (NSP) 4 year until 2015/2016 Aboriginal Arts professional development program 2013 MCA, Corroboree Festival and Outback Arts project 2013 Arts North West Aboriginal Arts Officer s position re-funded for 3 years (part-time) 2013 Orana Arts Aboriginal Arts Officer s position funded for 3 years (part-time) 2013 Outback Arts Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer s position re-funded for 3 years 2013 South East Arts Aboriginal Creative and Cultural Engagement Officer s position re-funded for 3 years (parttime) 2013 West Darling Arts Aboriginal Arts Officer s position funded for 3 years 2013 Arts OutWest Central West Aboriginal Arts Officer s position re-funded for 3 years Triennial funding 2013/14 to 2015/16 through IVAIS program of 2013 Arts Northern Indigenous Arts Development Officer s position re-funded for 3 years Triennial funding 2013/14 to 2015/16 through IVAIS program of 2013 Murray Arts Aboriginal Arts Officer employed (part-time) Funded through core funding of Arts NSW 2013 RANSW Potential Aboriginal Arts Officer s position in Eastern Riverina and Albury Discussions with Ministry for the Arts, Eastern Riverina Arts, RANSW and Wagga Wagga City Council 2013 RANSW/ RABs Black Arts Market, Corroboree AAOs participated funded through RANSW NSP project 2013 Arts Northern IADO, Anthony Walker selected for Wesfarmers Held at National Gallery, Canberra, December 2013 Arts Indigenous Leadership Program 2013 Arts OutWest Central West AAO, Aleshia Lonsdale, selected for Wesfarmers Arts Indigenous Leadership Program Held at National Gallery, Canberra, December 2013 History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

7 2013 Arts OutWest United Kingdom Exchange Group of Aboriginal artists travelled to UK with other Central West artists to participate in Wirksworth Festival in rural Derbyshire set up an Australian Pavilion, ran workshops, involved in local projects Orana Arts Left Field Project 3 emerging Aboriginal artists from the region mentored by wellknown contemporary artists funded through ICS program of MFTA 2013 Arts North West Art Relay - Pass it On! Mentoring project for Visual Artists 2013 Outback Arts NSW Parliament Aboriginal Art Prize exhibited in Coonamble. Seminar by winner, Karla Dickens RAF-funded mentoring project for emerging and mid career Aboriginal visual artists in the New England North West region mentors are professional Aboriginal arts practitioners. 17 artists from region attended seminar. Funded through RAF National Strategic Project RANSW 3 rd AAO Network meeting in Sydney Hosted by RANSW 10 AAOs attended networking and pd 2014 Outback Arts Living Arts and Culture website re-developed and goes live Funded through ICS program of OFTA promotes Aboriginal art and artists in Far West region 2014 Arts North West Art Relay - Pass it On! Mentoring project for Performing Artists RAF-funded mentoring project for emerging and mid career Aboriginal Performing artists in the New England North West region mentors are professional Aboriginal performing arts practitioners. History of Aboriginal Arts Development in the NSW Regional Arts Network,

HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABORIGINAL ARTS IN THE NSW REGIONAL ARTS NETWORK

HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABORIGINAL ARTS IN THE NSW REGIONAL ARTS NETWORK The past 15 years have seen a remarkable growth in Aboriginal arts activity within and across the network of 14 Regional Boards