Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair secures funding into 2022

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair has secured funding for 2022 as part of the federal government’s Indigenous visual arts industry support program.

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair has secured funding until 2022. Picture: Supplied

THE Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair has secured funding for 2022 as part of the federal government’s Indigenous visual arts industry support program.

Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the fair would share in $700,000 to be doled out between it and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair to help the organisations put on next year’s shows.

“Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair were two events forced to go online in 2020,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This $700,000 in regional arts tourism events funding will enable both fairs to continue to attract visitors online and plan for their 2022 events.”

Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt said Indigenous visual art was integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ identities and was vitally important to Australia and all Australians.

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“Indigenous visual art sustains and strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is an important way to express culture, and provides opportunities for employment, skills development and income,” he said.

“Investment in Indigenous cultures and building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled arts sector is a priority for the Morrison government.

“The Indigenous visual arts sector in Australia is a thriving and vibrant industry, and provides significant economic, social and cultural benefits.”

Mr Wyatt said investment under the Indigenous visual arts industry support program would ensure long-term sustainability for the sector and will strengthen cultural practice safeguards.

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will share in $700,000 of federal funding. Pictured is the One Mob Different Country dance troupe performing at the fair back in 2018. Picture: Michael Franchi

Other Territory Indigenous arts organisations to receive funding include the Ngukurr Art Aboriginal Corporation and Papunya Tjupi Art Centre Aboriginal Corporation, which are each set to receive $1.225m between now and 2026.

Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Incorporated in Yirrkala is set to pocket $1.88m over the same period.

The funding will support the organisations in providing visual arts services to artists based in the community and engage Indigenous arts workers. The 2021 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will once again be held online between August 6 and 11.

The fair provides a unique opportunity to purchase artworks direct from more than 70 Indigenous-owned art centres, while being immersed in an exciting digital program of workshops, artists’ talks, film and fashion.

The national funding package also includes cash to provide support for artists with a disability at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island as well as support programs throughout the rest of the nation.