The City of Casey has recognised the contribution that local resident Kuichiang (Kush) Tut Kuiy has made to the arts in Casey, announcing her as the recipient of the 2021 Lindsay King Arts Award last week.
Established in 2007, this annual arts award was named in memory of Cranbourne resident Lindsay King, whose vigorous commitment to the arts and passion for local history, tourism and culture made a positive impact on the Casey community.
Ms Tut Kuiy is a multi-disciplinary artist and multifaceted creative producer, who has produced several multi-artwork events in the south-east including the Bunjil Place creative development project Bridging Differences and Blaxcellence, which is a regular event that centres on Afro-Diaspora and the First Nation's creative practice.
She is also a founding member of the Way Over There Collective, a group of artist, producers and programmers in Melbourne's south-east, and in conjunction with Nostalgic Events, holds the annual Rise of South Sudan concert at Bunjil Place.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM congratulated Ms Tut Kuiy on winning the prestigious award and acknowledged the challenges faced by the broader arts community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We know the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on local artists and the broader creative sector, and we applaud the local arts community who have continued to create and find innovative ways to share their work during this challenging time," Ms Duff said.
"Ms Tut Kuiy is a passionate, creative producer and coordinator of events in Melbourne's south-east, who has worked hard to build and empower her local community and is a deserving winner of Casey's most prestigious arts award," Ms Duff said.
"As our community spaces once again re-open, I'm sure we are all eager to see what our vibrant arts community will continue deliver into the future."
