Pam Luke
Stories from the Studio: Pam Luke This week at Stories from the Studio, we meet Pam Luke, a Southern Highlands artist known for her vibrant
First Nations Arts and Culture
STA works to promote and support First Nations artists, cultural organisations and communities. We connect to Aboriginal creatives, colleagues and communities to share, create, live & work. On this page you will find First Nation programs and oppotunites conducted by STA as well as stories, oppotunites, resources and programs gathered from across the country.
Wherever you are in Australia you are on the lands and waters of Australia’s First Peoples. There are many language groups who live and meet across the region where STA operates. Main groups include; Wiradjuri Country coming in from the west, across the north is Gundungurra and Tharawal Country, the south is Ngunnawal Country, and the east is Yuin Country. For more info on those country you are on you can consult the AIATSIS Map (1994) which attempts to represent the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia.
STA respectfully acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land, sky & waters where we live and their continuing cultural, spiritual customs and practices.
Aunty Enid Clarke, Wiradjuri Elder and Senior Knowledge Holder living in Young is the inaugural STA Elder in Residence . Find out more
Mob in Focus: Time to Exhale
Online showcase of recent work by Aboriginal Artists from across the STA region. View Now
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORKS
Wingecarribee. Links and information for
support organisations, service providers and community
groups for Aboriginal People.
The Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance Advocacy, support & opportunities for Aboriginal Artists and Communities in Regional NSW.
STA is proud to work with ARAA.
Belonging, Possum Skin Blanket
Made in Queanbeyan with Aunty Matilda House
Woven Together
First Nations weaving workshops with Mob and schools.Find out more.
Always Will Be! by Djon Mundine. Statement dressing!
Young creatives bring First Nations art and culture to Goulburn hospital – STA is proud to be part of the amazing project
NADA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DESIGN AGENCY – creating and managing the partnerships between Aboriginal artists and clients.
First Nations Exhibition at the STA Gallery online
Includes paintings, drawings, prints and objects. An STA Gallery exhibition.
STA Acknowledgment of Country Commission
STA worked with Jodie Munday to create our First Nations acknowledgment screen when you arrive at our site using Jodie’s work One Nation – Many People.
This work is a representation of our land and our people. The Magenta background is symbolic of our rich soils and our rich history. The large waterhole in the background connects life and land to water which both need to survive and thrive. The black and white circles in the centre of the image represent our ancestors. Spreading out across the work are many orange circles which represent different people and different mobs. These circles are joined across many paths to each other and our ancestors.
This work tells the story that no matter how far we travel or what path we take in life we are always connected to our ancestors and we travel our journey with their knowledge, strength and guidance always by our sides and in our hearts.
Jodie Munday
PAINT THE CAR Commission
The STA car has had a deadly makeover with a wrap created from an original work title ‘Travelling arts’ by Jess Plumb.
My digital artwork represents the travelling arts from a First Nations perspective. The Southern Tablelands Arts logo colours have been incorporated alongside others, to reflect the different areas that southern tablelands art covers and to show their support and collaboration with local artists…
Stories from the Studio – First Nations Artists
Warwick Keen
Stories from the Studio: Warick Keen Today STA were lucky to meet Warwick Keen inside his exhibition MINDMAPS and other fragments before it opens to the
Jess Plumb
Stories from the Studio: Jess Plumb This week at Stories from the Studio we are delighted to catch up with Jess Plumb. Jess is a
Monica Bridge
Stories from the Studio: Monica Bridge A very special Stories from the Studio this week with Monica Bridge! Monica is a contemporary Aboriginal artist, and
Jerikye Williams
Jerikye Williams: Stories from the Studio This week STA had the pleasure of catching up with Jerikye Williams, who is the Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown
Djon Mundine
Djon Mundine OAM: Stories from the Studio STA caught up with Djon Mundine OAM for a trip through The Dingo Project, an exhibition he curated
Creative Directory – First Nations
First Nations artists, designers, creatives and cultural organisations right across the Southern Tablelands and Highlands of NSW.
Search the full Creative Directory here.
Ricky Khan
Ricky Khan of Bundjalung origin & nation Northern Rivers (Grafton NSW). Welcomed & residing on Gundungurra Country (Mittagong) Southern Highlands. Member of the Robinson, Daley,
Jess Plumb (Boney)
Jess is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and a Contemporary Aboriginal Artist with a strong connection to Culture and Country, living in Crookwell NSW. Jess describes
Jerikye Williams
Jerikye Williams is a Wiradjuri man, born in Cowra and living in Queanbeyan on Ngambri/Ngunnawal land. Jerikye is said to have been born with a guitar
Dashanti Carr
Dashanti is a 17-year-old 4th generation Aboriginal artist living in Berrima.
Caitlin Sheedy
Cat Sheedy is a young First Nations woman from the Hilltops Shire, currently residing in Young after spending much of her childhood and early teens
Alfie Walker
Alfie is a Wiradjuri Gibir, Yuin man & local Aboriginal story teller. Alfie is sharing his stories through Contemporary Aboriginal rock painting
Djon Mundine
Djon Mundine OAM is a proud Bandjalung man. Mundine is a curator, writer, artist and activist and is celebrated as a foundational figure in the criticism
P & J Design
Aboriginal family (3 generations) We paint a wide range of upcycled & usable art
Jenny Johnson
Jenny is a member of the Wiradjuri Tribe and she has a strong cultural link to the Wiradjuri lands through her mother and has adopted
Judith Nangala Crispin
Indigenous Artist on on unceded Ngambri-Ngunnawal Country.
Culture on the Move
Ronnie Jordan. Cultural knowledge workshops for preschool, Schools, Government, Corporate and Communities.
Jodie Munday | Cr8tive Art
I have been studying art and building my skills for most of my life. My passion for Visual Arts really took hold during my high
Monica Bridge Contemporary Aboriginal Artist
A proud Muruwari woman and Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, with a strong connection to her culture and family. Monica’s works include painting, drawing and sculpture. She
Nations Resources Funding Resources and Opportunites
22 Dec 2024 – LIFECYCLE: Touring Grants Supports national touring activities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music creators, supporting growth and fostering a vibrant, visible and inclusive music landscape.
5 Jan – the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance Cultural Connections Workshop Fund 2025 is now open for applications. This initiative offers 10 facilitation fees of $1,000 to support Aboriginal cultural practitioners in delivering creative workshops across regional and remote NSW between February and May 2025.
4 Feb 2025 – Creative Australia – Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund supports First Nations media organisations and individuals in creating and sharing culturally significant arts and cultural content. This includes community-based radio and television broadcasting, cultural recordings, community storytelling, and technical media training. The initiative amplifies First Nations voices, fosters cultural preservation, and broadens audience participation through enhanced media production.
14 Feb – Screen Australia – Proper Loved Up Initiative This program aims to upskill and develop screen practitioners, giving them vital screen credits
21 Mar 2025 – Cultural Grants Program Supports Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.
First Nations Arts oppotunities through Creative Australia
First Nations funding opportunities currently on offer through Grant Connect.
Creative Koori Projects aims to build support for a strong, resilient and exciting Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW.
Indigenous Contemporary Music program professional industry-based opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands.
Aboriginal Benefits Foundation Grants Assist Aboriginal communities and individuals.
Wesfarmers Indigenous Arts Leadership Program at the NGA in Canberra
Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs for Indigenous Australians.
NADA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DESIGN AGENCY – creating and managing the partnerships between Aboriginal artists and clients.
First Nations Resources and Links
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people.
Gambay: a map of Australia’s first languages. Explore the first languages of our nation, with stories, videos, talks and much more.
NADA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DESIGN AGENCY – creating and managing the partnerships between Aboriginal artists and clients.
Know Your Country information on acknowledging the Traditional Custodians / Owners of the land you are on, resources, educational support and more.
Reconciliation Australia. Lead body for reconciliation in Australia, to promote and facilitate reconciliation.
First Languages Australia Encourages communication between communities, the government. Resources, projects and information.
NAIDOC WEEK is the first week of July each year. A time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA) serves and represents artists, individuals and organisations that produce, promote, protect culture
Real Futures
Building community capacity through job readiness, training services and employment for Mob across Austraila.
Supply Nation
Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses: search by business name, product, service, area, or category.
Indigenous Business Australia
Assist and enhance the economic development opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia
Connect with Indigenous business women, to share knowledge in navigating the path less trodden. Wherever you are in your business journey, you have wisdom to share.
13YARN – First Nations crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping
Local Land Councils and Organisations
Ngambri LALC
Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council
Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre
1 Rainbow Road, Mittagong P. 02 4871 3290
Mulwaree Aboriginal Community Inc.
Goulburn NSW 2580 0408 788 391
Onerwal LALC
11 Adele St, Yass, NSW 2582 02 6226 5349
Tharawal LALC
220 West Parade, Thirlmere, NSW 2571 02 4681 0059
Young LALC
247 Boorowa St, NSW 2594 02 6382 5669
Pejar LALC
80 Combermere St Goulburn NSW 2580 (02) 4822 3552
STA First Nations Commitment
STA works to promote and support First Nations peoples to achieve creative and cultural outcomes.
We work respectfully and effectively with First Nations peoples, families and communities.
STA is committed to being a culturally safe and competent organisation. Working to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations stakeholders and organisations, using our sphere of influence to feature First Nations culture, enhance employment and opportunities to creatively express and practice culture.
We promise to learn slowly, listen often and respect the sovereignty of First Nations people.
Cecilia McKenzie is the STA Aboriginal Arts Officer Proud Wiradjuri woman, singer and community worker.
Email Cecilia
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[email protected]
0427 938 110
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PO Box 1323 Goulburn 2580
ABN 67 208 214 681
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands where we create, live & work.
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