Nganampa Anwernekenhe:

The proposal for a National Indigenous Art & Culture Centre

Information Brochure

Nganampa Anwernekenhe: The proposal for a National Indigenous Art & Culture Centre

The National Indigenous Art & Culture Centre (The Centre) will provide a dynamic space where people come together to learn, collaborate, celebrate and share the knowledge of our Indigenous history and culture. The Centre aims to establish a long lasting footprint in the following three areas:

Culture: to celebrate the contribution of Indigenous culture and people to the NationThe Centre will rid Australia of its cultural cringe and reinforce the importance of Indigenous culture in the national psyche to form a shared National identity; creating a cohesive link from the world’s oldest continuous cultures to contemporary lives of today.

Education: to bring people together and create opportunities for learning, reconciliation and interactionThe Centre will be the leading place for cultural collaboration, knowledge sharing and respecting; a Centre that looks at our past and heritage to provide us with the tools to interpret the future and prosper as a Nation.

Arts: to be a national Indigenous Museum for indigenous art and historical collectionsThe Centre will bring to life Indigenous art and historical collections dating back tens of thousands of years from Indigenous groups from across Australia, in a central and respectful place. Displays will celebrate and promote acceptance of diversity, link the past and the present with the future and bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together.

The Case for Action

“To continue to prosper as a Nation, we need to understand and respect the contribution of Indigenous culture.”

Australia has many museums, art galleries and education facilities offering limited insight into indigenous history and culture. Despite the numerous regional and metropolitan based facilities, each of them offering their own contribution to the bigger picture of Indigenous Australia, it is glaringly obvious that Australia lacks a cohesive and comprehensive centre which is all encompassing of the arts, history and culture of Indigenous Australia. There is an urgent need to rectify this oversight through the creation of a living, breathing, dynamic centre for Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborations for sharing knowledge and utilising new technologies.

Overseas visitors to Australia, and Australians themselves, often express a strong need and desire to experi-ence and connect directly with Aboriginal culture. Research demonstrates a gap between expectations and realisation.

The Centre aims not only to fill that gap but assist in creating new opportunities for learning, reconciliation and interaction, together with allowing for social and economic development.

Nganampa Anwernekenhe: The proposal for a National Indigenous Art & Culture Centre

The Benefits “A Centre driven by Indigenous people for the benefit of Indigenous community.”

Community Engagement and Collaboration Alice Springs, the heart of Aboriginal AustraliaThe Centre will enable the Community to work together in new ways, with the opportunity to engage and express themselves and be recognised nationally and internationally as a cohesive, distinct and positive community. The Centre will foster collaboration with existing Indigenous orgnisations and cultural centres, linking them together to tell the National story. The Centre will also provide opportunities for partnerships between performing art groups and facilitate intercultural exchanges for schools, universities, business, government and the public through forums, events, conferences, exhibitions and workshops in Alice Springs and online resources.

A Stronger Economy The Centre will value add to current activities and build a stronger economy Increased engagement by organisations, agencies and others collaborating in the Centre will create its own economy. Principles of modern social enterprise which is underpinned by commercial best practice will be at the very heart of the Centre, guiding its operations to maximise positive outcomes and ensure long term sustainability. The Centre will value add to current activities in Alice Springs and promote Alice Springs as a destination not to be missed. The Centre will enable and attract increased spending by locals and visitors, operating as both a key destination attractor and motivator for longer stays.

Aboriginal Employment Aboriginal people from Central Australia will need to be at the forefront of this engagement

The Centre’s concept is primarily based on the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and the partnerships created by these linkages locally, nationally and internationally. Aboriginal people will be engaged and employed at all levels of the Centre’s operations. Employment-led training will be undertaken on-site with partner organisations to maximise learning outcomes and skill development, which in turn will build self confidence and future employability.

Improved Cultural Identities Strengthening cultural identities, strengthening people

The Centre enables personal, organisational and community capacity building through governance, knowledge sharing, interpersonal and organisational collaboration and understanding. These are positive outcomes supported by national and international research that asserts strong respect for culture and identities improves social and economic outcomes. The Centre will be located in Alice Springs

GovernanceStage 1:

A volunteer Working Group of 6 members will oversee the effective establishment of the Centre. The Working Group will be supported by a project team that brings the skills and expertise to implement the project. The Working Group includes:

Harold Furber, Interim Chair of the Working Group, is the current Chairman of the Desert Peoples Centre (a joint Bachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education-Centre for Appropriate Technology venture), Harold has held the positions of Deputy Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia and board member of the Desert Knowledge Co-operative Research Centre. Harold has extensive experience within both public and private sector.

Scott McConnell is currently employed as CEO for Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation (Ngurratjuta) and Ingkerreke Outstations Resource Services Aboriginal Corporation (Ingkerreke). Scott has a wealth of experience in working with Aboriginal Corporations, all levels of Government and private industry.

Owen Cole has been a director of Yeperenye Pty Ltd for 25 years and has managed numerous property acquisitions. Owen has vast experience in economic development and commercial property management. He is a director of Centrecorp Aboriginal Investment Corporation and was General Manager of the Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association Corporation (CAAMA) for 9 years, after which he served as Chair of the CAAMA Governing committee, and is currently a member of the board.

Chansey Paech has played active in roles within the community over the past decade which have seen him contribute to the Indigenous health and education sector by building their capacity through improved governance, innovation and strategic planning. Chansey is currently serving his first term on the Alice Springs Town Council.

Philip Watkins has been the Chief Executive Officer of Desart since 2011. Philip worked with the Central Land Council in various roles, prior a return in 2006 to his artistic roots as Artistic and Cultural Director at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide, South Australia. He currently serves as board member on the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct, the Darwin Aboriginal Arts Fair Foundation and the Copyright Agency Limited market advisory board.

Samarra Schwarz is the current Program Manager for the Centralian Girls Academy, which is an initiative of Role Model and Leaders Australia. Samarra is also currently a board member of Yeperenye Pty Ltd.

The Project Team includes:

Amy McArdle, Executive Support. Amy is currently employed as Executive Officer in the Joint Management team for Ngurratjuta and Ingkerreke.

Hannah Ross, Administration Assistant. Hannah has administrative support experience across various organisations in Alice Springs.

CIS, business consultants with expertise in developing collaborative projects and securing infrastructure funds.

Stage 2:The Centre will be a not for profit limited by guarantee company. A for profit company will be established to support commercialisation activities. Once established, the Centre will be governed by a skills based and independent board with a maximum of seven directors. The Board will be supported by sub-committees and end user interests will be represented directly to the board by a Stakeholder Committee.

Securing InvestmentStage 1: Working Group led submissions have been made to the Indigenous Advancement Strategy and the Aboriginal Benefits Account requesting funds for a 12 month project to develop a business plan, investment strategy and design, which will take the project to the ‘shovel-ready’ stage. A major component of the funding will allow the Working Group to undertake a two-stage national consultation process: firstly to engage with a core group of industry experts to set a framework for the second stage, which will be a national roadshow to consult with cultural organisations, stakeholders and the wider community. This two stage national consultation will inform the Centre’s final shape and concept.

Stage 2: Infrastructure investment will be sought during the latter half of 2015 with approaches to all levels of government, corporations and philanthropists. The Centre is expected to require in the magnitude of $60 to $80 million for construction.

Partner SupportThe Working Group seek in-principle support for the development of the Centre in Alice Springs. Organisations such as Desert Knowledge Australia, Ingkerreke, Yeperenye and CIS have already indicated their support for the next steps and the Working Group will seek to convert this support into real investment in the Centre. Recent delegations to New Zealand and the US also confirmed the potential partnership with internationally known New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Puia in Rotorua, together with support from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Next StepsIf you are interested in supporting us in this initiative please do not hesitate to contact Amy McArdle for further information. Contact details are provided on the last page.

Nganampa Anwernekenhe:The proposal for a National Indigenous Art & Culture Centre

Contact:

Ms Amy McArdleNgurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation

T: 08 8950 2235E: amym@ngur.com.au