Aboriginal arts and culture

Proudly showcasing and supporting some of the best First Nations artists and organisations contributing to our NSW Creative Industries.

 

Image: Bennelong, Bangarra Dance Theatre at Sydney Coliseum. Photo: Daniel Boud

First nations dancers on stage filled with smoke, holding and covered in Australian native bush and white markings.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the Aboriginal peoples and traditional owners of the land we now call New South Wales, and we celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised this website may contain images, voices, videos and names of people who have passed on.

Aboriginal arts and culture protocols

First Nations People on this continent are the custodians of the longest living culture in the world. Aboriginal people have been sharing their unique cultures for thousands of generations.

Through guidance from cultural authorities, such as Elders and cultural knowledge keepers, a wide range of protocols help guide cultural business practices.

 

Learn more
decorative publication cover

Find funding and support for mob

Search our grants finder for all opportunities available now for artists and cultural organisations. 

 

Find support

Image: Brook Garru Andrew, 'DIWIL', 2021, Installation View, Murray Art Museum Albury. Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

Resources

Group of performers looking up to left. Image: Katina Olsen, Luke Carroll, Tuuli Narkle, Jacqueline Compton and Kyle Shilling, in Sunshine Super Girl, Sydney Festival, January 2021. Photo Credits: Brett Boardman 2021.

Creative Koori projects

Overhead of the fountain in the Fountain Court

First Nations Public Art EOI

Aboriginal public art opportunities

decorative publication cover

Creating new income toolkit

A intricately woven piece, up close and held in a pair of hands.

Aboriginal arts and culture webinars

10:09

Create Connects 2023/24: Creative Koori Projects for Aboriginal Individuals, Groups & Organisations

Support and contact

Create NSW commits to inclusion and diversity and continues to help applicants wishing to apply.

Contact Create NSW arts funding team for help with:

  • understanding the guidelines for this grant
  • submitting an application in a way that is accessible to you
  • arranging an interpreting service for people applying in a language other than English
  • arranging an Auslan interpreter service
  • arranging a National Relay call.

Phone: (02) 9228 4578
Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
Online meeting: schedule a time to speak to Create staff through Picktime.

 

Image: BakerBoy River Sounds Festival Bellingen 2022 photo And The Trees Photography

BakerBoy performing on stage lit with pink lighting and his name in the background.

Celebrating First Nations creatives

Image of glass art installation by Aboriginal artists, Leanne Tobin

Creative Koori spotlight: Ngalwan We live, we remain, the call of Ngurra (Country).

Tyson Perkins 2022 AACTA Awards

Interview with award-winning director of photography Tyson Perkins

head shot

Wiradyuri artist Amala Groom awarded First Nations creative fellowship

Thalia Skopellas sitting on the ground wearing an orange jersey and a purple headband

Ellatronix making waves in the tropical house music scene

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft in front of her art studio

Q&A with Dr Bronwyn Bancroft

Headshot of Emma Donovan

Q&A with Emma Donovan

Current projects

Group of representatives from 4 different Aboriginal keeping places

Aboriginal-led cultural digitisation project to preserve local collections

Four NSW Aboriginal cultural centres and keeping places will lead the way as cultural collection digital champions thanks to an $800,000 Creative Captial investment by the NSW Government.

6 performers from different backgrounds on a dark stage with red lighting, and the front performer has her arms spread wide to the audience.

Shaping policy for the arts and cultural sector

NSW needs an inclusive, sustainable and ambitious approach to arts and culture. The Federal Government's National Cultural Policy Revive, provides an ideal starting point, and they want to hear from you.

Art studio displaying various art forms of aboriginal art.

A new look at culture - First Nations consultation forum

The NSW Government is working towards the Ssate’s first Arts, Culture & Creative Industries policy, and we want to hear from you.

9 August 2023

Follow Create NSW

Create NSW

Top of page