First Nations voices are integral to shaping the future of arts and culture in Australia, as highlighted in a recent landmark national report released by First Nations Arts at Creative Australia. The report, titled “First Nations First – What We Heard,” encapsulates insights gathered from over 1,400 First Nations artists, cultural workers, and communities during national consultations conducted between November 2023 and March 2024.
This significant report, facilitated by the First Nations team at Creative Australia in collaboration with a consortium of First Nations consultants led by atticusnow, and guided by Creative Australia’s First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy Panel, emphasizes the importance of long-term investment, enhanced support for cultural preservation, intergenerational knowledge sharing, skills development, career pathways, and infrastructure upgrades within the arts sector.
Franchesca Cubillo, the Executive Director of First Nations Arts and Culture at Creative Australia, expressed that this report marks the initial step in honoring the voices of Elders, youth, d/Deaf and disabled creatives, and First Nations artists and organizations across diverse regions and disciplines. The insights gathered from the consultations will play a pivotal role in shaping future investments, capacity-building efforts, and the integration of First Nations perspectives across Creative Australia and beyond.
The key themes emerging from the report include a resounding call for sustained investment and multi-year funding pathways, a focus on cultural preservation and improved infrastructure, particularly in regional and remote areas, support for career development and leadership opportunities for emerging artists and youth, the necessity for more inclusive and accessible funding processes, increased visibility for d/Deaf and disabled First Nations creatives, and the paramount importance of First Nations control, cultural safety, and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protection.
These findings will not only shape Creative Australia’s investment and leadership initiatives over the next three years but will also support the endeavors of the First Nations Board established within Creative Australia in late 2024. The “What We Heard” report serves as a foundational component in fulfilling the objectives outlined in the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, which places a strong emphasis on centering First Nations perspectives in cultural discourse and practice.
In conclusion, the insights gleaned from this comprehensive report underscore the critical role that First Nations voices play in shaping the cultural landscape of Australia, paving the way for more inclusive, sustainable, and culturally rich artistic practices and initiatives.
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