First Nations Roundtable: Advocating Arts
for arts and creative independents and organisations
First Nations’ Roundtables: Roundtable 6
Join us at the next roundtable forum.
Topic: Advocating Arts
Date: Friday 24 April 2020
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Join Chair of the First Nations Arts Strategy Panel, Wesley Enoch AM and Deputy Chair of The Australia Council for the Arts, Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin for this roundtable forum in an ongoing series of updates and discussions.
Guest speakers
- Jimblah: Hip Hop artist, Industry development, First Nations Music Carclew
- Janina Harding: Artistic Director Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
- Nardi Simpson: Musician, Multidisciplinary artist
About the series
The Australia Council for the Arts is hosting a series of First Nations’ Roundtables for arts and creative independents, and organisations, to discuss the current situation that affects us all in relation to COVID-19.
Watch the webinar recording
Contact us
Please contact Michael Hutchings directly if you require further information.
Phone: Michael Hutchings, Project Manager First Nations 0490 299 493

Jimblah: Hip Hop artist, Industry development, First Nations Music Carclew
A triple threat in his own lane, Jimblah is a producer, MC and vocalist hailing from Larrakia Nation in Top End Northern Territory. An important and powerful voice, Jimblah’s music speaks to decolonisation, challenging listeners to consider their privilege and responsibility.
The most striking thing about Jimblah is not his ability to sing, rap and produce beats, it’s the eyebrow-raising fact he does them all so well. His flow alone outshines most MCs, but his tone and singing style are so memorable, so drenched in soul, it’s music for the heart. Then consider his signature dusty, chopped-up melodic productions and you begin to understand Jimblah is truly a special talent.

Nardi Simpson: Musician, multidisciplinary artist
From the Yuwaalaraay people with roots in Sydney’s inner west and country NSW, Nardi Simpson is a musician, songwriter, writer and performer. Nardi is a founding member of Indigenous duo Stiff Gins, a Gamilaraay language teacher, and cultural knowledge practitioner of the Sydney and Yuwaalaraay communities She is heavily involved in sharing and growing Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices in communities throughout NSW with her work with sound, story, language, writing, theatre making, performance and community development. Finally, Nardi is currently completing her debut novel ‘Song of the Crocodile,’ a story of connection to the people, place and stories of her ngurrambaa- homelands.
Featured Section
Impacts of COVID-19 on First Nations arts and culture: Download the paper
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.
ExploreJobKeeper and the cultural and creative industries
This paper outlines the immediate and longer term needs of the cultural and creative industries pertaining to the JobKeeper program. While JobKeeper will have a significant benefit, in its current form it will not support a large proportion of the creative workforce.
ExploreWatch Previous Webinars
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.
We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations Peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions.
We recognise that our office is located on Gadigal Land.
We are privileged to gather on this Country and through this website to share knowledge, culture and art now, and with future generations.
First Nations Peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have died.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.
We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations Peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions.
We recognise that our office is located on Gadigal Land.
We are privileged to gather on this Country and through this website to share knowledge, culture and art now, and with future generations.
First Nations Peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have died.
- Advocacy
& research - Investment
& development- Find a grant or opportunity
- Individual artists, groups and organisations
- Multi-year investment
- International engagement
- Digital Culture Strategy
- Sector Recovery Initiatives
- Re-imagine: What Next?
- Assessment at the Australia Council
- Leadership Programs
- Awarded grants
- Protocols and resources
- Online resources
- Partner with us
- First Nations
arts & culture - News and media
- About us