First Nations First is pillar one of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.
From 2024, Revive establishes a dedicated First Nations-led Board to:
- invest in, create and produce, First Nations works of scale, with priorities and funding decisions determined by First Nations leaders
- develop a First Nations Creative Workforce Development Strategy
- promote best practice cultural protocols, self-determination and cultural safety training across arts and cultural organisations.
First Nations First recognises and respects the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia’s arts and culture.
Since 1973 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have brought a guiding voice on matters relating to First Nations arts and culture and to the broader arts and cultural sector through Creative Australia’s (formerly the Australia Council for the Arts) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board.
We build upon the wonderful legacy of those who have come before us, and invite you to participate in the First Nations First community engagement and consultation.
How to have your say
The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback from First Nations people who work within the arts and culture sector on the establishment of Creative Australia’s new First Nations-led Board, and how it should implement, invest, and deliver on its role and responsibilities.
For our colleagues in the arts and culture sector who are not First Nations, we invite you to complete the survey, make a submission in writing, or request a meeting directly with Creative Australia staff.
Online workshops are scheduled for Mob with disability/ies, blind and low vision community, d/Deaf and hard of hearing community, and also a special workshop session designed for youth. Register under ‘Join an online workshop’ below.
We encourage all First Nations people to share your thoughts and aspirations for your community and sector.
There are a number of ways for you to engage with the consultation and provide your feedback:
1. Read the discussion paper
To begin, we have developed a discussion paper with background and context, along with some questions to help you prepare your feedback. It also provides an overview of next steps. View the PDF here.
2. Complete the online survey
This will take approximately 10 minutes. Responses will be treated in confidence and no individual data will be published. Begin now.
3. Join an online workshop
The below online workshops have been scheduled specifically for creatives of all abilities and for youth:
Workshop designed for: | Area | Date | Time | Registration |
d/Deaf and hard of hearing community | Nation-wide | Tuesday 6 February 2024 | 12pm-1.45pm AEDT | Completed |
Blind and low vision community | Nation-wide | Tuesday 6 February 2024 | 2.30pm-4.15pm AEDT | Completed |
Mob with disability/ies | Nation-wide | Wednesday 7 February 2024 | 12pm-1.45pm AEDT | Completed |
Youth | Nation-wide | Thursday 14 March 2024 | 1.30pm-3.30pm AEDT | Completed |
The below sessions were facilitated by First Nations consultants, and held on:
- Monday 20 November @ 2pm-4pm AEDT
- Tuesday 21 November @ 10am-12pm AEDT
- Wednesday 22 November @ 12pm-2pm AEDT
4. Attend an in-person community forum
These gatherings will allow space and time for open discussion and public feedback, and will be held in every state and territory. Check back soon, we’ll be listing the additional dates as they are confirmed:
State | Area | Date | Registration |
ACT | Canberra | February 2024 | Completed |
NSW
|
Sydney | February 2024 | Completed |
Dubbo | February 2024 | Completed | |
Tweeds Heads | February 2024 | Completed | |
Wollongong | February 2024 | Completed | |
NT
|
Alice Springs | Friday 1 March 2024 | Completed |
Darwin | Friday 2 February 2024 | Completed | |
Gove | Monday 29 January 2024 | Completed | |
Katherine | Tuesday 30 January 2024 | Completed | |
Tennant Creek | Monday 4 March-Friday 15 March | Completed | |
QLD
|
Brisbane | February 2024 | Completed |
Cairns | February 2024 | Completed | |
Cherbourg | February 2024 | Completed | |
Rockhampton | February 2024 | Completed | |
SA
|
Adelaide | December 2023 | Completed |
Adelaide | January 2024 | Completed | |
APY lands (and Mutitjulu) | Monday February 19 – Thursday February 22 | Completed | |
Ceduna | December 2023 | Completed | |
Port Augusta | Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Completed | |
Port Lincoln | Thursday 30 November 2023 | Completed | |
Torres Strait Islands
|
Badu | Monday 4 March 2024 | Completed |
Erub/Darnley | Monday 26 February 2024 | Completed | |
Moa, Kubin | Friday 1 March 2024 | Completed | |
Moa, St Paul’s | Thursday 29 February 2024 | Completed | |
Thursday Island | Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Completed | |
TAS
|
Launceston | Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Completed |
Hobart | Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Completed | |
VIC
|
Melbourne | December 2023 | Completed |
Albury | Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Completed | |
Lakes Entrance | Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Completed | |
Mildura | Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Completed | |
Shepparton | Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Completed | |
WA
|
Perth | November 2023 | Completed |
Albany | Thursday 15 February 2024 | Completed | |
Broome | Tuesday 5 March | Completed | |
Fitzroy Crossing | Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Completed | |
Kalgoorlie | Monday 5 February 2024 | Completed | |
Karratha | Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Completed |
5. Make a submission in writing
Submissions are now closed.
The questions in the discussion paper are a guide for making submissions. You can respond to all or just what is relevant to you. Submissions are:
-
- ideally no more than 5 pages
(video and audio files are welcome too) - welcome in all languages
- can contain images, thoughts, facts, opinions and responses to the questions centred around the discussion paper.
- ideally no more than 5 pages
You can send your submission via:
Email: firstnationsarts@creative.gov.au
Post:
First Nations team c/o Creative Australia
PO Box 576, Pyrmont, NSW 2009