Ind igenous Arts and Cul ture

Act ion Plan 2012-2014

Government of Western AustraliaDepartment of Culture and the Arts

Western Australia’s Indigenous arts and cultures form an important part of our

diverse identity.

Martumilli Artists’ baskets at Revealed: Emerging Aboriginal Artists from Western Australia Showcase. Photo by Tim Acker.

Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-20143

Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014

Western Australia’s Indigenous arts and cultures form an important part of our diverse identity.

A growing number of Indigenous artists are sharing their significant stories through artistic mediums. The Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) supports this sector as part of its vision for a community enriched by unique and transforming arts and cultural experiences.

Cover Image: Dancers at Mowanjum Festival, presented by Mowanjum Artist Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation. Photo by Mathew Scurfield.

Introduction

In 2004, DCA launched the Indigenous Arts Development Policy, ‘Creative Cultures: Supporting and Respecting Indigenous Cultural Expressions’. The policy reflected the WA Government priority on Indigenous arts and culture and provided guiding principles to support individual artists while strengthening the capacity of communities to develop arts infrastructure.

Since 2004, the Indigenous arts and cultural sector has significantly changed and the Department has reviewed its processes in this area.

This process included consultation with the Department’s Indigenous Arts Panel and WA Indigenous and non-Indigenous arts organisations. It has also included strategic support for initiatives such as the ‘Indigenous Storytellers’ Forum’, the WA Indigenous Art Award, and ‘Revealed: Emerging Aboriginal Artists from Western Australia’.

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DCA previously commissioned consultant Tim Acker to write a report on ‘Art Centre Perspectives on Indigenous Arts Policy’. This report outlined priority issues and strategic directions for the Indigenous arts sector as identified by art centres in WA’s regional and remote communities.

DCA also commissioned playwright and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s founding Artistic Director David Milroy to write a discussion paper on pathways and opportunities for Indigenous artists.

More recently DCA reviewed its Indigenous Contemporary Music Strategy to evaluate the achievements of its investment in the sector and identify future needs. The review included a sector survey, an industry focus group and an internal report.

The findings of these reports, contributions from numerous Indigenous artists and arts organisations, and outcomes of the initiatives above have identified future directions and models for support, which the Department will continue to progress through its revised policy framework ‘Creating Value: An Arts and Culture Policy Framework 2010-2014’ and through the ‘Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014’.

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Author Terrizita Corpus and illustrator Maggie Prewett with their childrens’ book, The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper.

Photo by Simon Penn.

Underlying the development of Indigenous arts and cultural initiatives is the principle

of reconciliation, which acknowledges the need for mutual respect between

Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

An Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan

The ‘Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014’ will drive the Department’s Indigenous arts and cultural initiatives over the next two years. The action plan will be complemented by projects and programs from other areas of the Department and partnerships with arts organisations and other government agencies. Significant support for the Indigenous arts sector has been delivered over the past four years, for example, through the Department’s Indigenous Arts Panel and the Looking Forward Fund.

Key partnerships in the development of future initiatives will continue between the Department of Indigenous Affairs, the Commonwealth Office for the Arts and the Australia Council for the Arts. DCA acknowledges the significant infrastructure and program support provided to Indigenous arts organisations through Royalties for Regions and will continue to collaborate with the Department of Regional Development and Lands.

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The action plan is positioned within a wider policy context which includes the Australia Council’s national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Policy and the Council of Australian Government’s agenda to ‘close the gap’ in Indigenous disadvantage. Underlying the development of Indigenous arts and cultural initiatives is the principle of reconciliation, which acknowledges the need for mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Within an international context, the action plan supports Article 31 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Article 31 refers to the development, maintenance, control and protection of Indigenous peoples’ traditional cultural expressions, heritage and knowledge.

The action plan contributes to the Department’s delivery of ‘Creating Value’, which outlines the principles, outcomes and strategies that will guide activities over the next three years. At the core of ‘Creating Value’ is the concept of ‘public value’; in this context referring to the social and economic benefits created by arts and culture for the WA community. Underpinning the delivery of the Department’s public value outcomes are the two core principles of creativity and engagement.

For further information on ‘Creating Value: An Arts and Culture Sector Policy Framework 2010-2014’, visit www.dca.wa.gov.au/About-US/our-policies/creating-value/

Respect and acknowledge the fundamental connections of Indigenous arts to Indigenous culture, heritage, country and

community, and recognise that Indigenous culture includes both contemporary and traditional artistic expression.

Jake and the Cowboys. Photo by Sarah Selman.

Indigenous Arts Principles

In addition to ‘Creating Value’s’ Core Principles of creativity and engagement, two additional principles will be observed and considered in delivering the ‘Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014’.

1. Respect and acknowledge:

• Indigenous peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of Australia and its Territories

• the fundamental connection of Indigenous arts to Indigenous culture, heritage, country and community

• the importance of Indigenous Australians expressing their spirituality, stories, identity and history

• Indigenous cultural diversity

• the importance of appropriate consultative process in the

development of new initiatives in Indigenous arts and culture.

2. Recognise:

• Indigenous Australians determine cultural priorities, maintain cultural protocols and ensure cultural integrity is observed and maintained in all areas of the arts

• Indigenous Australians own and control their cultural and intellectual property and use of traditional symbols and motifs

• regional and remote communities have particular challenges in accessing arts services

• Indigenous culture includes both contemporary and traditional artistic expression.

Indigenous cultures form an integral part of the State’s identity and are

recognised as a major contributor to the richness and diversity of WA.

Trevor Jamieson and Ursula Yovich in Waltzing the Wilarra, presented by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company. Photo by Jon Green.

8 9Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014

Scope

The action plan aims to support creativity and engagement of Indigenous artists and organisations in WA.

The purpose of the action plan is to:

• maximise opportunities for Indigenous artists and organisations to share culture, create quality artworks and establish sustainable arts practice with cultural integrity

• ensure Indigenous cultures form an integral part of the State’s identity and are recognised as a major contributor to the richness and diversity of WA.

Reporting

Progress in delivering this action plan will be incorporated into reporting on ‘Creating Value’ and summarised in the Department’s annual reports.

The Actions 2012-2014

The action plan priorities are grouped under the four outcomes areas identified in ‘Creating Value’: Creative People, Creative Communities, Creative Economies and Creative Environments.

Each action aims to address one or more of the priorities identified in ‘Creating Value’, and will be delivered through one or more of a combination of the following strategies: Funding, Partnerships, Infrastructure Support and Sector Development.

The Indigenous arts program area will also contribute to the Department’s broader priority projects for 2012-2014. These projects include the Funding Process Review, Ecology Mapping Project, Public Value Measurement Framework and Cultural Infrastructure Directions.

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Promote initiatives and funding opportunities that assist Indigenous communities, including regional and remote,

to better access and participate in the arts.

Dalisa Pigram in Burning Daylight, presented by Marrugeku. Photo by Rod Hartvigsen.

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Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014

Creative People

Action

1. Continue to support opportunities for Indigenous artists to explore contemporary and traditional culture and arts practice through the Indigenous Arts Funding Program. X X

2. Promote cultural integrity and self-determination through the Indigenous Arts Panel peer assessment process. X X

3. Increase access to opportunities across all DCA funding programs for Indigenous artists and arts workers, particularly Young People and the Arts, Arts Development, Creative Development Fellowships, Contemporary Music and Connect – Community Collections. X X

4. Support opportunities for professional development, networking and showcasing through the ‘Revealed Emerging Aboriginal Artists Showcase’. X X X

5. Support tailored professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers. X X X

6. Support up to two music marketing and/or music management mentorships to promote Indigenous musicians into the mainstream. X

Creative Communities

Action

1. Promote initiatives and funding opportunities that assist Indigenous communities, including regional and remote, to better access and participate in the arts. X X

2. Partner with ArtsEdge (an arts in education strategic partnership between DCA and the Department of Education) to present a professional learning session for educators and Indigenous artists on Indigenous education. X X

3. Partner with ArtsEdge to promote inclusion of Indigenous artists in schools through the Artist-In-Residence Grants Program. X X

4. Continue to support the Western Australian Museum to return Indigenous ancestral remains and secret sacred objects to their communities of origin. X X X

5. Support the multi-disciplinary team of the Western Desert Kidney Health Project to deliver outcomes for Indigenous communities through the arts. X X X

6. Support up to two music marketing and/or music management mentorships to promote Indigenous musicians into the mainstream. X

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Maitland Schnaars and Katya Shevtsov in If I Drown I Can Swim, presented by Corazon de Vaca. Photo by Mia Holton.

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Creative Economies

Support opportunities for market and business development through ‘Revealed Emerging Aboriginal Artists from Western Australia’. X X X

2. Continue to partner with the Commonwealth Office for the Arts to ensure a coordinated approach to Indigenous art centre infrastructure and economic development. X X X

3. Promote national initiatives and business resources such as Solid Arts on the Arts Law website and the Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct. X

4. Support and strengthen skills development for Indigenous music managers. X X X

5. Collaborate with state and national music industry organisations to support career pathways for Indigenous musicians. X X

6. Continue to support business, governance and operational sustainability of key Indigenous arts organisations. X X X

Action

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Support tailored professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers.

Creative Environments

Action

1. Support festivals as an important focus for cultural maintenance, inter-generational sharing, community identity and/or the development of new work. X X

2. Encourage regional Indigenous cultural organisations to access funding for facilities, storage, rehearsal and studio space through Royalties for Regions. X X

3. Support networking and development of industry benchmarks for Indigenous contemporary music. X X

4. Increase the representation and involvement of Indigenous groups and individuals in the delivery of the Western Australian State Government Percent for Art Scheme. X X

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A priority action under Creative Communities is to continue to support the multi-disciplinary team of the Western Desert Kidney Health Project to deliver outcomes for Indigenous communities

through the arts.

Shenice Harris participating in a Western Desert Kidney Health Project residency in Leonora. Photo by Poppy Van Oorde Grainger.

Indigenous Arts and Culture Action Plan 2012-2014

Contact

If you would like to know more about the action plan please contact:

Project Officer, Indigenous Arts or Senior Policy Officer, Cultural Programs

(08) 6552 7300

1800 199 090 (toll free country WA only)

indigenousart@dca.wa.gov.au

www.dca.wa.gov.au/DCA-Initiatives/indigenous/

Assistance for People with Disabilities

The Department is committed to supporting people with disabilities.

This document can be provided in alternative formats (large print, electronic or Braille) upon request.

Interpreting Assistance in Languages

Other Than English

Contact the Department if you have difficulty understanding this booklet or would prefer to discuss it in your first language. Alternatively, you can telephone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 during business hours (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) for the cost of a local call. Indicate which language you wish to use and ask to speak to a Project Officer, relevant to your art form on (08) 6552 7300.

Government of Western AustraliaDepartment of Culture and the Arts

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