- Seven regional Aboriginal arts and cultural
groups get funding boost
- More than $600,000 investment for regional
Aboriginal arts and cultural organisations
- Part of the WA Government's Regional Arts and
Cultural Investment Program
Western Australia's
Aboriginal stories and culture will be strengthened through new performances
and storytelling projects, thanks to more than $600,000 in WA Government
funding.
Seven arts and culture
groups from Western Australia will receive funding to develop significant new
Aboriginal art works or to support their capacity and business development, as
part of the Regional Aboriginal Arts Development program.
The program invests in
regional Aboriginal-led projects that showcase the unique stories of Western
Australia's Aboriginal peoples and supports their long-term skills development
goals.
The WA Government is
proud to support Juluwarlu Group for Ngurra Nyujunggamu - When the World Was
Soft, which has also received support from the Australian Government's
Creative Futures Fund. This work is a major new roaming performance and outdoor
large-scale projection work telling Yindjibarndi creation stories.
Recipients for Round 2 of
the Regional Aboriginal Arts Development program include:
- Bunbury Regional Art Gallery - $72,675 for Noongar
Arts Fashion, where First Nations stories are translated into wearable art
pieces, culminating in a 2026 fashion show;
- Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange -
$49,289 for Strong Foundations Story Exchange, which will support the
development of an operations manual for arts workers;
- Mara Arts Aboriginal Corporation - $50,000 for
the creation of a 5-year Mid West Aboriginal Arts Industry strategy;
- Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation -
$149,500 for Ngurra Nyujunggamu - When the World Was Soft, a large-scale
street performance through puppetry and projections;
- Goolarri Media Enterprises - $149,983 for the final
development and presentation of Because We're Blak, a new Aboriginal
theatre work in Broome;
- Ardyaloon Art and Culture Centre Aboriginal
Corporation - $50,000 for the establishment of a new professional training and
development program in business mentorship and studio development
- Fremantle Biennale - $111,281 for the
commissioned artwork Wodoi and Jungun by Worrorra artist, Leah Umbagai.
This funding forms part
of the WA Government's commitment to regional arts through the Regional Arts
and Cultural Investment Program.
Comments attributed to Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"Aboriginal art is at the
heart of Western Australia's cultural identity, and this funding ensures those
stories continue to be told in powerful, authentic ways.
"The WA Government is
proud to back Aboriginal-led arts initiatives that share culture and create
economic opportunities for communities.
"The Regional Aboriginal
Arts Development supports regional artists to share knowledge, develop skills
and showcase their work to the world - while ensuring cultural traditions are
carried forward with pride."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Regional communities are rich with Aboriginal culture and creativity,
and this investment ensures those voices are celebrated and supported where
they live and work.
"By backing Aboriginal-led arts organisations, we are strengthening
cultural identity while also creating jobs and opportunities across our
regions.
"This funding is about more than the arts - it's about building capacity
in regional Aboriginal organisations, supporting skills development, and
creating pathways for young people to stay connected to culture while
contributing to their local economies."
