The City of Adelaide has partnered with Arts South Australia to deliver new artistic grants to support the professional development of First Nations creatives.
A total of $100,000 will support six different groups and individuals as part of the First Nations Creative Career Grants, with each successful applicant to receive up to $20,000.
In addition to funding, recipients will receive support through mentorships to help develop leadership and career pathways.
The program is designed to increase participation and engagement from First Nations people in the city and establish new pathways for employment in the arts and cultural sector.
The evaluation process was led by First Nations leaders, who provided valuable cultural knowledge that will ensure funding outcomes are maximised for the community.
The six grant recipients chosen from 14 applications are:
• Adelaide Contemporary Experimental will employ three emerging South Australian First Nations artists to be mentored by queer Ngarigo Elder Peter Waples-Crowe as part of “Pride”, a Tarnanthi 2023 exhibition.
• Uniting Communities Inc. will enable emerging artist Raquel Larkin of Kokatha, Dieri, Arabana and Narungga descent to support First Nations artists from Uniting Communities’ Aboriginal drug and alcohol program and residential services to access the U City Art Studio to be part of community exhibitions.
• The Mill Incorporated will employ Kaurna, Narrunga and Ngarrindjeri dancer/producer Caleena Sansbury to deliver The Mill’s First Nations Dance Program in partnership with BlakDance (QLD) and Australian Dance Theatre (SA).
• Open Space Contemporary Arts will employ Narungga, Kaurna, Adnyamathana and Wirangu artist Jay Milera as their inaugural First Nations artist in residence.
• Edoardo Crismani, a South Australian based Wiradjuri writer, will receive support towards the 2023 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship. Edoardo will be mentored by Wiradjuri writer, and Miles Franklin Literary Award–winning author, Tara June Winch.
• Gina Rings, a Kokatha multi-disciplinary performance artist will undertake professional development to advance her career as an emerging composer and sound designer.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax Smith said this grant program was an important way to create jobs and strengthen career pathways for First Nations artists in the city.
“Through this program, council will be providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to continue to develop new work and grow careers in the arts,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This grant program was created to encourage First Nations led opportunities for professional development, intergenerational learning and employment opportunities in the arts sector.
“We hope it will expand the visibility of First Nations arts and cultural practices in the community and increase their participation in Adelaide’s thriving art scene and city life.”
The grants are joint funded by the City of Adelaide and Arts South Australia.
Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels said the Malinauskas Government was committed to supporting emerging South Australian First Nations artists.
“South Australia is renowned for its incredible artists, festivals and performances and it’s programs like this that support emerging artists to create new works, develop their skills and put on exhibitions and performances in the early stages of their careers.
“We have unique stories to tell here in South Australia and this program has been designed to shine a spotlight on our remarkable First Nations artists and display their work in the heart of our city.”
The First Nations Creative Career Grants has provided a total of $190,640 in funding for 12 different programs since 2020.
