The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
New funding to strengthen Indigenous art industry
Production and marketing of Indigenous art has been strengthened through the Coalition Government’s new $4 million initiative by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, said today.
Senator Kemp announced the first instalment of $1 million under the initiative to be allocated to seven Indigenous art centres across four states to support the growing strength of Indigenous art production.
“Indigenous art has been attracting an increasing share of critical acclaim and market sales in Australia and internationally,” Senator Kemp said.
“This funding is recognition of the central role Indigenous art centres and artists are playing in communities, generating employment, bringing in income and maintaining culture.
“The Government is now delivering on the commitment we made during last year’s election to increase its support to Indigenous artists and art centres.
“This first instalment of funding will assist the seven art centres to upgrade basic facilities so they can continue to produce works of artistic excellence.” Senator Kemp said.
The Australian Government has promised to increase government support for the production and promotion of Indigenous art by providing $4 million over four years.
The funding will be provided to assist in the training of young and emerging Indigenous artists and art centre workers, to upgrade facilities and to support specific marketing initiatives.
The government is already providing $4.28 million annually for the operation of a network of Indigenous arts and craft centres around Australia, through the Department for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts’ National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) Program.
**The seven Indigenous organisations and projects to receive funding are outlined below**
Art centres and projects to be funded
In the Northern Territory:
Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation ($29,700)
The project involves the repair and maintenance of Bula’bula Arts, a well established Art Centre in Central Arnhem Land. The centre supports nationally and internationally renowned artists of the Ramingining community and outstations.
Keringke Arts ($38,500)
The project will extend the operations of the highly successful Keringke Arts centre, which is owned and administered by the Aboriginal artists of Eastern Arrernte, south east of Alice Springs. The refurbishment will create a studio for men and boys who now have no gender identified space to work.
YBE (2) Arts Centre ($7,500)
This project will contribute towards an upgrade of the YBE (2) Art Centre gallery which is located in North East Arnhem Land. The gallery is an important venue for showcasing the work of artists from 25 local clans to local, national and international audiences.
In Western Australia
Warmun Art Centre ($440,300)
The project will contribute to the construction of an urgently needed new building for the Warmun Art Centre, which is an increasingly successful support agency for artists of the Kimberly region.
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation ($229,000)
This project will contribute to the construction and development of a new multi-purpose centre for art, culture and tourist activities in the Mowanjum community near Derby.
In South Australia
Minymaku Arts – Minymaku Aboriginal Corporation ($240,000)
The project is to provide adequate staff housing for workers at the Minymaku Arts Centre in the Amata community in the far north of South Australia on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal Lands. The aim is to assist the centre attract and retain professional staff.
In New South Wales
Boomalli Art Centre ($15,000)
The project is to upgrade the Boomalli Art Centre gallery’s lighting system and provide storage and display equipment. This centre supports urban and rural based artists and provides a retail outlet and gallery space for Indigenous art nationally.
3 June 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo, Minister’s Office, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 040 276