FIRST STORIES PROGRAM

Arts North West First Stories Program works with individuals and organisations to build and improve opportunities for Aboriginal arts and communities in our region.

Extensive community consultation and strategic partnerships guide the development of programs and partnerships designed to foster and develop paid opportunities for Aboriginal artists, and build cultural safety and competency throughout all Arts North West initiatives.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Funding is to support and foster Aboriginal artists in the New England North West. Arts North West has engaged three First Nations contractors to deliver a myriad of programs and projects throughout the North West to diversify and increase opportunities for Indigenous creatives.

view the ARTS NORTH WEST ABORIGINAL ARTS & Cultural STRATEGY 2024 - 2028 (pdf, 2.3 MB)

Image: 7 Sisters Project. Photo by Suzie Wicks.

This Saturday: First Nations Arts Market – A Celebration of Culture + Creativity

This Saturday, Arts North West will bring together culture, creativity and community in a vibrant First Nations Arts Market — and you’re invited to be part of it!

The market will showcase an exciting range of original works by First Nations artists, makers and cultural practitioners from across the New England North West. From handmade jewellery and artworks to bush foods, textiles, weaving and more, the market will be a true celebration of talent and cultural knowledge.

🖤 Celebrate Culture
The market will honour and highlight the depth and richness of First Nations culture through art, music, storytelling and craft. You’ll have the chance to meet artists, hear their stories, and support their work directly.

🎨 Shop Local, Support Community
Stallholders will offer unique, handcrafted items made with care and cultural significance. It's the perfect opportunity to find meaningful gifts, discover new artists, and invest in the local creative economy.

🌞 A Day of Connection
With live music, demonstrations, and a warm community atmosphere, this market promises to be a joyful, family-friendly event filled with creativity and connection.

📅 When: This Saturday, 31st May 2025
📍 Where: The Art Shack @ Wilgabah, Wallabadah
🕒 Time: 11am - 3pm

Bring your friends and family and experience a market day like no other—on Country, with community, for culture.

Let’s come together to celebrate and support First Nations artists this Saturday!

Myall Creek Gather and Trade Event

7 th June, 2025 at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, Fossickers Way, Warialda Rail NSW 2402

Bump In for each event starts at 8.00am *

Events times 10.00am - 1.00pm *

Bump Out for each event starts 2.00pm *

*Attendees will be informed of any changes to schedules prior to events

Forms that are not completed will not be accepted. Original work by the nominated artist(s) must make up 75% of the presented product.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ‘GATHER & TRADE: ABORIGINAL ARTISAN MICRO MARKETS’ REGISTRATION

Each year Arts North West hosts a series of ‘Gather & Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’ throughout the New England North West in 2023. ANW invites First Nations artists, craftspeople, and cultural artisans to submit an expression of interest to have a stall and be part of each event. This was great opportunity for local Aboriginal creatives to sell their art and products, and reach a wider audience to promote their goods and practices.

Myall Creek memorial exhibition

CLICK HERE FOR ‘MYALL CREEK MEMORIAL EXHIBITION’ REGISTRATION

Please complete all relevant fields for the 2025 Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition

The Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition Officially Open 11.00am 7 June, 2025 and continues until July, 2025. Arts North West will be collecting works from Tamworth Regional Gallery 02 June 2025. Arts North West will not be part of the return of artworks. For assistance or more information please contact Barbara on 02 6729 4147 or via email kerry@cbreaksculpturepark.com.au.

More Information:

Every year the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park invites established and emerging Aboriginal Artists to contribute works as part of the ‘Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition’. An exhibition that showcases contemporary and traditional arts practices as well as shares the journey, connection and stories of our First Nations people on Country. Artists from throughout NSW can submit artworks as part of the exhibition.

The Myall Creek Massacre is a dark chapter for the town and for Australia's history. It is day for solemn remembrance of the massacre of approx. 30 Wirrayaraay people that occurred on 10 June 1838 and subsequent trials and hangings of 7 settlers for their roles in this tragedy. While this event is an amazing opportunity for communities to recover, reconcile, and share works and art, we do ask that all participants please research the history of the event and be aware of the serious nature of this day. Please refer to www.myallcreek.org for further information on the history.

MyALL CREEK memorial events 2024

‘MYALL CREEK memorial EXHIBITION’ + ‘Gather & Trade: Aborginal Artisan Micro Markets’

In 2024 Arts North West is partnering with Ceramic Break Sculpture Park in Warialda to deliver the ‘Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition’ and ‘Gather and Trade: Aboriginal Artisan Micro Markets’ as part of the Myall Creek Commemoration events.

The memorial events pay tribute to the strength and resilience of First Nations people in the face of devastating colonial actions. While this event is an amazing opportunity for communities to recover, reconcile, and share works and art, we do ask that all participants please research the history of the event and be aware of the serious nature of this day. Please refer to www.myallcreek.org for further information on the history.

If you would like to be part of this historical event:

National Indigenous Art Fair 2024

Arts North West is taking four First Nations people to National Indigenous Art Fair in 2024. The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. NIAF 2024 follows the successful 2023 event which attracted 22,000 visitors over two days.

The Markets are from Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 June, 2024 with Professional and Creative development sessions held prior from Tuesday 25 June to Friday 28 June, 2024 on the Gadigal Land in The Rocks, Sydney, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Mentors and mentees will have all expenses paid including travel, accommodation, and meals with all income from sales at the Arts Fair returning to the artists. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that has been funded by IVAIS and Create NSW.

Aboriginal arts steering committee

Arts North West supports the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to celebrate and practise their cultures and to fulfil creative and cultural aspirations. Furthermore, we recognise and respect that Aboriginal people have a right to self-determination particularly in respect to cultural matters. This includes making decisions about preserving and sharing their traditional and contemporary cultural knowledge and practices.

Arts North West, through the Aboriginal Cultural Support Program, provides dedicated, cohesive, and regionally-based support for Aboriginal arts and cultural development which will allow our community greater access to opportunities to strengthen culture through arts practice, projects and career development.

The NENW Aboriginal Arts Steering Committee supports Arts North West with cultural guidance and decision-making, strategic planning, advice and feedback and will be developing respectful and sustainable relationships based on trust and respect for our cultural values and our histories. The NENW Aboriginal Arts Steering Committee is comprised of two Aboriginal volunteer representatives from each of the contributing LGAs in our region.