First Nations Arts and Culture

Mary Katatjuku Pan from Amata (SA) with Punu Kutjara. 2016. Image by Rhett Hammerton. Copyright Tjanpi Desert Weavers, NPY Women’s Council

First Nations Arts and Culture are a rich contribution to the world’s culture, and to Australia’s diverse contemporary culture and national identity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts include classical, traditional and contemporary practice, including all new forms of cultural expression. This is applied across all art forms and in urban, regional and remote areas.

The Australia Council for the Arts regards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as living forces with their own strengths and influences, not as remnants of the past. We aim to make these cultural expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a source of pride for all Australians.

The value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts activity to individuals, families and communities is significant culturally, socially and economically, and its potential is significant in all communities. Research by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and the Telstra Foundation about the role of Indigenous festivals highlighted not only the economic benefits but improved well-being, as people reported that they had an increase in cultural pride and self-esteem stemming from a sense of inclusion and cultural identity.

Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts.

First published in 2002 and revised in 2007, this protocol guide endorses the rights of Indigenous people to their cultural heritage and supports Indigenous creative practice. This protocol guide encourages self-determination and helps build a strong and diverse Indigenous arts sector. These are key goals and priority areas of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Creative practitioners who work with Indigenous artists or engage with Indigenous cultural heritage in projects, and are funded by Australia Council for the Arts grant assessment panels are required to comply with this protocol guide as a condition of funding.

Over the years, the principles and protocols contained in this protocol guide have also been applied nationally and internationally – educating readers and users on Indigenous Australian cultural heritage, and encouraging meaningful collaborations with Indigenous artists and creators.

DOWNLOAD THE PROTOCOLS
Funding

Funding is dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, groups and organisations. This funding is assessed wholly by Indigenous peers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, groups and organisations are welcome to make applications for activities with vibrancy in artistic and cultural expressions.

Need help with your application? Contact a Grants Officer now

Impacts of COVID-19 on First Nations arts and culture

This paper outlines the immediate and longer term needs, concerns and potentially catastrophic impacts for First Nations arts and culture in light of COVID-19. This includes potential for the most significant loss of arts, culture and language since the arrival of the First Fleet. Drawing on research and sector intelligence, the paper highlights opportunities for First Nations arts specific support and cross-portfolio advocacy and engagement.

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Closing the Gap

The Australia Council’s submission to the Closing the Gap Refresh advocates for increased investment in First Nations arts and cultural expression, cultural maintenance, and First Nations-led culturally based solutions across portfolios. It draws on the growing body of evidence showing participation in arts and culture supports outcomes across the Closing the Gap framework.

Our submission was developed in collaboration with our First Nations stakeholders. First Nations peoples’ indivisible rights to culture and self-determination are central in our submission. For decades, First Nations peoples have advocated for the critical role of culture – as a necessary part of the solution to Indigenous disadvantage, and for the healing and strengthening of individuals and communities. However, culture has been the missing element from the Closing the Gap framework to date. Funding for First Nations culture made up just 1% of total direct government expenditure for Indigenous Australians in 2015–16, and cultural outcomes have not featured in the measurement framework.

Now is the moment to invest in the inherent value and foundational role of strong culture in the Closing the Gap agenda.

Click here to read more.


Mary Katatjuku Pan from Amata (SA) with Punu Kutjara. 2016. Image by Rhett Hammerton. Copyright Tjanpi Desert Weavers

Opportunities for First Nations Artists

Closing soon

Australia-Singapore Digital Residencies

Closing Date:

Tue November 9, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

The Australia Council for the Arts and the National Arts Council Singapore will jointly deliver the third iteration of a program of four digital residencies between Australia and Singapore, two for each country.

View opportunity
Closing soon

All The Things We Couldn’t Say: Digital Theatremakers Program

Closing Date:

Tue November 9, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

All The Things We Couldn’t Say is a three-year collaboration between Salamanca Arts Centre in Australia, and Checkpoint Theatre in Singapore.

View opportunity
Closing soon

International Engagement Fund

Closing Date:

Tue November 9, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

This pilot fund supports the Australian arts, cultural and creative sectors to explore opportunities
to engage internationally, in the wake of unprecedented global change and disruption. Our vision is for Australian arts, culture and creativity to be thriving and to be known globally for its innovation, sustainability, complexity and diversity. This fund prioritises remote, online and hybrid modes of cross-border engagement while international travel is restricted.

View opportunity
Open

Digital Transformation for the Creative Industries

Closing Date:

Tue November 16, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

Digital Transformation for the Creative Industries is an online short course designed specifically for artists and arts and creative workers.

Developed in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, this six week course will equip you with the skills, tools and techniques to meet tomorrow’s challenges in this new digitally-enabled world.

View opportunity
Open

Digital Fellowship Program

Closing Date:

Tue November 30, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

This fellowship program brings practitioners based in Australia and New Zealand together to co-develop their digital practice and set directions for the future of the arts in our region.

View opportunity
Open

Digital Strategist-in-Residence

Closing Date:

Tue December 7, 2021 3:00 pm (AEDT)

The Digital Strategist-in-Residence will connect and collaborate with key members of your team. The program will involve facilitated sessions and self-directed tasks. This residency is a hybrid program, involving both in-person and online sessions.

View opportunity
Closed

Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP) Residency

Founded in 1998, Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP) is the largest international residency centre in the Nordic and Baltic region. Every year up to 90 arts professionals from around the world are offered a working period of one to three months. The studios are located on Suomenlinna Island, a World Heritage site, and in the Cable Factory cultural complex in central Helsinki.

View opportunity
Closed

Australian Pavilion Invigilation Program – Venice Biennale 2022

CEST closing time: 3pm, 19 October 2021. For the Venice Biennale 2022, the Australia Council is inviting applications for invigilators of the exhibition in the Australian Pavilion. Marco Fusinato is the artist commissioned for Australia’s national representation at the Venice Biennale 2022. The exhibition is curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor.

View opportunity

View
Closing soon

Australia-Singapore Digital Residencies

The Australia Council for the Arts and the National Arts Council Singapore will jointly deliver the third iteration of a program of four digital residencies between Australia and Singapore, two for each country.
Closing soon

All The Things We Couldn’t Say: Digital Theatremakers Program

All The Things We Couldn’t Say is a three-year collaboration between Salamanca Arts Centre in Australia, and Checkpoint Theatre in Singapore.
Closing soon

International Engagement Fund

This pilot fund supports the Australian arts, cultural and creative sectors to explore opportunities to engage internationally, in the wake of unprecedented global change and disruption. Our vision is for Australian arts, culture and creativity to be thriving and to be known globally for its innovation, sustainability, complexity and diversity. This fund prioritises remote, online and hybrid modes of cross-border engagement while international travel is restricted.
Open

Digital Transformation for the Creative Industries

Digital Transformation for the Creative Industries is an online short course designed specifically for artists and arts and creative workers. Developed in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, this six week course will equip you with the skills, tools and techniques to meet tomorrow’s challenges in this new digitally-enabled world.
Open

Digital Fellowship Program

This fellowship program brings practitioners based in Australia and New Zealand together to co-develop their digital practice and set directions for the future of the arts in our region.
Open

Digital Strategist-in-Residence

The Digital Strategist-in-Residence will connect and collaborate with key members of your team. The program will involve facilitated sessions and self-directed tasks. This residency is a hybrid program, involving both in-person and online sessions.
Closed

Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP) Residency

Founded in 1998, Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP) is the largest international residency centre in the Nordic and Baltic region. Every year up to 90 arts professionals from around the world are offered a working period of one to three months. The studios are located on Suomenlinna Island, a World Heritage site, and in the Cable Factory cultural complex in central Helsinki.
Closed

Australian Pavilion Invigilation Program – Venice Biennale 2022

CEST closing time: 3pm, 19 October 2021. For the Venice Biennale 2022, the Australia Council is inviting applications for invigilators of the exhibition in the Australian Pavilion. Marco Fusinato is the artist commissioned for Australia’s national representation at the Venice Biennale 2022. The exhibition is curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor.