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.
Promoting Indigenous artistic achievement
Australia ’s internationally renowned Indigenous visual arts industry will continue to grow as a result of the Australian Government’s commitment to the sector, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, said today.
“There has recently been further evidence of the enormous interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art as overseas collectors bid strongly at auction against local institutions to set benchmark prices for prized works,” Senator Kemp said.
“The Government’s $4.4 million National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program is an investment in Australia’s cultural standing. It provides support for Indigenous artists through regional art centres and national initiatives that promote awareness of the Indigenous arts sector.
“The success of NACIS is reflected in the vigour and innovation demonstrated by the sector and its artists and the sustained demand for development and seed funding.”
NACIS funding in 2005–06 will support 49 organisations in undertaking 51 activities. This includes many Indigenous art centres in extremely remote localities where both jobs and independent means of generating income are scarce.
“Through the centres, hundreds of established and developing Indigenous artists are able to produce art, develop skills and have their work promoted, marketed and sold,” Senator Kemp said.
“Importantly, the work of these artists tells communities about themselves, increasing cultural strength and identity.”
|
State/Territory |
Activities |
NACIS expenditure 2005–06 ($) |
|---|---|---|
|
NT |
23 |
2,135,338 |
|
WA |
9 |
652,535 |
|
SA |
8 |
566,628 |
|
Qld |
8 |
516,987 |
|
NSW |
2 |
195,650 |
|
Vic |
1 |
100,000 |
Examples of NACIS activities in 2005–06 are detailed below.
The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts took over responsibility for NACIS on 1 July 2004 in line with the new arrangements for a whole-of-government approach to Indigenous service delivery. See www.dcita.gov.au/indig for further information.
National Arts and Crafts Industry Support program 2005–06
Sample activities
NT — Alice Springs
$191,500 for Desart Incorporated to provide advocacy support to Indigenous artists in the central and western desert regions and carry out visual arts industry development activities.
Qld — Lockhart River
$66,872 for Lockhart River Aboriginal Community Arts and Cultural Centre Incorporated to deliver a range of artist support services including assisting artists to increase their income through the sale of artwork.
Vic — Melbourne
$100,000 for Koorie Heritage Trust Inc to provide a range of support and promotional services to Indigenous artists around Victoria.
WA — Halls Creek
$75,000 for Yaruman Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation to support the development, marketing, distribution and sale of artworks by the Yaruman group of artists based at Ringers Soak.
NSW — Leichhardt
$100,000 for Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative Ltd to provide a range of support services for creators of contemporary Indigenous visual arts and crafts.
SA — Fregon
$166,300 for Ananguku Arts and Culture Aboriginal Corporation (Ku Arts) to provide a range of support services to communities in the far west of Anangu Pitjantjatjarra Yunkatjatjarra (APY) lands to improve the economic status of practising artists, facilitate industry development to improve income for artists, increase viability of art centres and enhance community capacity across the APY lands.
14 September 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo on 0409 040276 or 03 9650 7274