The Morrison Government has announced $20.81 million to support around 80 Indigenous art centres, as well as a number of art fairs, service organisations and regional hubs, providing new opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, most living in remote communities.
This funding, through the 2019-20 Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program, sees a total of 94 organisations supported, of which 85 per cent are Indigenous-owned enterprises.
Visiting the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair today, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the funding plays a vital role in providing professional opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the country.
"This year the program will see more than 6,000 artists supported in producing some of Australia's most dynamic visual art, and around 300 Indigenous arts workers employed to assist with the day-to-day running of art centres," Minister Fletcher said.
The 2019-20 funding includes:
- $40,000 for Tangentyere Arts in the Northern Territory to support Yarrenyty Arltere Artists to develop a wearable textile range that will build on their internationally recognised embroidered soft sculptures.
- $30,765 for Waringarri Arts in Western Australia to expand its studio facilities to include production length tables for textile screen printing, as well as a new ceramics kiln.
- $35,000 for Walkatjara Arts in the Northern Territory to engage its first part-time Indigenous arts worker to assist with running its busy studio and gallery at the cultural centre in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
"In 2017-18, the 6,000 artists supported through the program participated in over 800 exhibitions and events both nationally and internationally. Together, funded organisations contributed around $70 million to the Australian economy," said Minister Fletcher.
The IVAIS program provides annual funding through an open competitive grants program and through targeted funding opportunities. For more information about the IVAIS program and the full list of funding recipients visit: www.arts.gov.au/IVAIS
