 Greetings from the mob at Flying Arts! We would like to welcome you to the first Flying Arts' First Nations Engagement eNews! This eNews is specifically dedicated to spreading awareness of arts activities, events, professional development and funding opportunities for First Nations artists and arts organisations.
We are sending you this first edition of the Flying Arts First Nations eNews as we thought you may be interested. Please accept our apologies if you have received this eNews more than once.
If you’d like to receive the First Nations eNews each month going forward please register here. Flying Arts Alliance acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and seas on which we work, live, and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and emerging leaders. We recognise that out office is located on the lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera People.
We are privileged to gather on this Country and through this eNews hope to share knowledge, celebrate culture, and promote artists for current and future generations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised this eNews may contain names, images and artworks by people who are now deceased.   Hello, I'm Nathaniel! Hi there! My name is Nathaniel Andrew and I belong to the Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri tribes with blood ties to the Ngarrindjeri, Wadi Wadi and Wiradjuri nations of Australia, and have South Sea Islander ancestry from Lacon Island and Ambae Island. I possess over 20 years’ experience as a freelance musician and music teacher and have had the opportunity to teach in many tertiary and vocational educational institutions across the country.
I work as the First Nations Engagement Lead and Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Lead at Flying Arts Alliance. In my role, I support cross-disciplinary arts activities throughout Queensland through leading the Regional Arts Fund. My aim is to increase the economic, social, and cultural impact of artists in regional Queensland, with a particular focus on First Nation’s creatives. One of our goals for this year is to create a First Nations Artist Directory.
My position and this project is supported through the Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost, a program of the Australian Government as part of the Relief and Recovery Fund.
If you would like to catch up for a yarn to learn more about me or Flying Arts services and support, please feel free to contact me at rafengagement@nullflyingarts.org.au
If you know anyone who would be interested in this email, please feel free to forward this and and ask them to subscribe by selecting the First Nations eNews option here. The Flying Arts First Nations Artist Directory
In 2022 Flying Arts Alliance is preparing to launch a First Nations Artist Directory. The online directory will function as a promotional platform for Queensland based First Nations artists from all artforms to connect with other artists, organisations and councils statewide. Since August 2021 we have conducted 40 community consultations with leading First Nations and non-First Nations artists, arts workers, and arts organisations around the state to identify the needs of the directory for artists, artsworkers and their communities.  Meet some of our 2021 QRAA Finalists The Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) is Flying Arts Alliance’s annual visual arts prize and exhibition for established and emerging artists living in regional and remote Queensland. The program aims to provide a platform for further professional development. The QRAA initiative is built on the multitude of art classes and practice conducted by Flying Arts tutors around the state since 1971.
First Nations winners and finalists in 2021 include Stolen by Darren Blackman, My Country by Netta Loogatha and Sandbeach Songlines by Samantha Hobson.  Photographer: Mornington Island Art MIART Remote Artist Award – Winner Netta Loogatha Birrmuyingathi Maali Born: circa 1942 Origin: Dulkawalne – Bentinck Island Language: Kayardild
"It's good to make artworks, learn from each other. We learned all about our country and story places from our old people. Now we are painting and drawing them so our grandchildren will learn all about them. Our Aunty Sally Gabori showed us the way, to learn from her and follow in her footsteps. We have our own paintings and drawings now of our homelands and sacred places, where we were born, oyster reefs and waterholes or camping spots. I am happy to show other people my country and culture through my art. It brings a smile to my face when I finish an artwork and see a part of me on it.
I was born on Bentinck Island at a place on the Northern side called Bilmee. We lived in humpies then – no clothes nothing at all. I learnt to hunt from an early age, how to fish and collect shellfish, how to gather foods from the bush. I was young when the Europeans came in 1946 to take us away from our home and forced us to live on Mornington Island in the dormitory in the mission there.
My father was King Alfred, he had six wives. When he died, his brother Percy took over the family and took care of us. When I grew up I went to the mainland and worked as a housemaid like a lot of the young girls from the island. I enjoyed this time being young and having fun. I returned to Mornington and became strongly involved in Land Rights and my people's wish to return to our homeland. I was a grandmother by the time we returned to our homeland and I used to live there most of the year, only returning to Mornington for the wet season. Now I am getting too old to live there. I cry for an opportunity to set my foot on my homeland again. My artworks have become even more important to me to keep my memories of my home and culture ever strong."  Photographer: Louis Lim First Nations Artist Award Darren Blackman
A Gureng Gureng/ Gangalu man, Darren grew up in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, where he studied art at High School before finishing a plumbing trade. He left the region to work in Western Queensland, Cape York, and the Torres Strait. From those years working in communities, Blackman’s observations of First Nations people’s struggle to retain culture and autonomy would inform his arts practice of the institutionalised oppression imposed on Indigenous people.
Settling in Cairns, Blackman took the opportunity to complete a Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Cultural Arts, at the renowned Cairns TAFE arts studio which was responsible for the Far North QLD cultural arts movement producing many acclaimed Indigenous artists. On completion of the Diploma, he attained a Trainer and Assessor Certificate allowing him to work as a trainer and studio facilitator throughout Cape York, refining his own skills in multiple disciplines. Blackman’s practice as a cultural artist is of stories from his own clan documenting a post-colonial history. Darren is currently studying his bachelor's degree in Contemporary Indigenous Australian Art at Griffith Queensland College of Art.  Photographer: Mick Richards Finalist Samantha Hobson Born: 1981 Lockhart River QLD
Samantha Hobson is one of the founding members of the Lockhart River ‘Art Gang’ established in 1995. Many of the surrounding areas such as Claudie River, Quintell Beach, Chilli Beach, Temple Bay and the Great Barrier Reef are reflected in her painting. Although Samantha was based in Cairns for many years, she is now living back on country in Lockhart River. She regularly travels to Brisbane for workshops developing new bodies of artwork for exhibitions and commissions.
A feature of Samantha’s largely ‘expressionist’ painting practice is the use of coloured pigments with estapol. Samantha’s rich bodies of work feature the layering of bright marine and rainforest colours alongside distinctive (white) sand beach compositions. The artist has exhibited nationally and internationally with major works in the National Gallery of Victoria; QAGOMA alongside other Public and University institutions.  Want to learn more about the Queensland Regional Art Awards?
View the virtual exhibition as part of our 50th Anniversary project, Flying Arts: Paint the Town by scanning the QR link! FUNDING SPOTLIGHT  CULTURAL TOURISM ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program is a 5-million-dollar targeted measure announced by the Australian Government as part of the Regional Arts Tourism package, which will enable arts organisations to promote and develop cultural events for tourists across regional Australia. The program will increase tourism visitation in regional, rural, and remote communities across Australia by providing financial support for arts and cultural activity.
Grants are available between 2500 dollars and 15,000 dollars with a maximum available of 25,000 dollars (for two complimentary applications). The program is relevant to all organisations offering activity of interest to tourists and applying is an easy process.
UPDATE – NEW ROUND AND EXTENDED CLOSING DATE ANNOUNCED
In response to the impacts of recent extreme weather events (cyclones Seth and Tiffany) and changing COVID-19 conditions and restrictions in Queensland, Flying Arts has announced an extension to the Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program, which was due to close for applications on 25 January 2022.
To give individuals and organisations in arts, culture and tourism sectors more time to submit applications, a new closing date of 5pm on Monday 21 February 2022 will now apply to all currently open Cultural Tourism Accelerator funding streams. We are also pleased to announce a second round of the Flash Marketing Campaign program, which will open on Tuesday 18 January 2022, and will also close at 5pm, Monday 21 February 2022.
For more information on the Cultural Tourism Accelerator program click here or email my colleague Nigel Lavender, at tourism@nullflyingarts.org.au  Gympie Single Launch – Underdog by Aspy Jones | image by Leeroy Todd September 2021 Quick Response Round Recipient – Aspy Jones Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants – February 2022 Round
Opens 1 February and closes 28 February 2022
The first round of Quick Response Grants for 2022 will be open for applications from 1 – 28 February. Quick Response Grants aim to support small arts or cultural projects that cannot be funded by other means because of their nature or timing.
Successful Quick Response Grant recipients from the November 2021 round can be found here.
Learn More  We still Here by Dylan Sarra | Image by Wezzy Cruze Round 1 2021 Project Grant – Wrapt in Mugal – Moogal Enterprises, Regional Arts Fund Project Grants – 2022 Round One
Opens 1 February and closes 14 March 2022 2022 Round 1 of RAF Project Grants open on 1 February and close on 14 March 2022. Project Grants provide major funding for high-quality arts projects benefiting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences, and communities.
Upcoming Flying Arts Events  Opening Night – Paint the Town 6pm-7:30pm, 25 February, The Court House, Cairns
Get ready to Paint the Town, Cairns! Join the judges and prize winning artists of the 2021 Queensland Regional Art Awards: Paint the Town for the exhibition opening weekend at the newly-opened The Court House Gallery in Cairns.
 Exhibition – Paint the Town 18 February to 23 April 2022, The Court House, Cairns
The Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) is an annual visual arts prize and exhibition for established and emerging artists living in regional and remote Queensland. Paint the Town is the exhibition outcome of the 2021 QRAA.
Panel – Connecting Art with Indigenous Knowledge Systems 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 27 February, Cairns/Online
This panel discussion facilitated by Michelle Tuahine will discuss methods of connecting First Nations art with Indigenous knowledge systems to ensure cultural sustainability in the classroom. This in-person workshop will be filmed at Cairns Court House Gallery and made available on the Flying Arts website.
 Creative Consultations with Carol McGregor 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Online – 26 February
Discuss your career or practice one-on-one with a respected arts industry professional. Dr Carol McGregor is currently the Program Director of the Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art unit at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University. She can provide career advice for artists and arts workers, those intending to study or work in academia to support an artistic career. Meet the Artist In Meet the Artist will be introducing different practicing artists from around the state. As we develop our directory, we will be sharing more information about our artists so watch this space.  Aaron (DHURIL) Blades
My name is Aaron (DHURIL) Blades, I am a proud Mandandanji man from the Balonne River in South Western Queensland, I have been painting since I was 14 years old and over that time, I have utilised my paintings to tell my stories and heal. Throughout my life I have had the privilege to travel and learn from other nations about their country and their waterways. My paintings allow me to give an insight into our beautiful culture while also providing me the ability to heal my spirit through my connection to my old people.
Check out Dhuril's work on instagram @dhurilulirruarts Industry News and Opportunities  Belonging / Stories from Far North Queensland Slated to become the seminal text on contemporary Indigenous artmaking in Far North Queensland, the publication is an important companion to the exhibition as well as a significant standalone legacy document and vital record of recent history of Queensland art centres and the Belonging/Northern Disclosure arts development project.
 Public Art Opportunities Are you or someone you know an aspiring Kabi Kabi public art artist? Amazing opportunity to work with a mentor, fabricators and project managers to bring your artistic vision to life!
 Local Giants Local Giants is a national program delivered in partnership between performing Lines, PAC Australia and Regional Arts Australia. EOI’s are now open, closing 27 February 2022, for the Local Giants inaugural Regional Producers Platform.  AMaGA What steps can you take to encourage respect, understanding and acknowledgement of First Nations culture and history? The Roadmap was developed for the museums and galleries sector, in consultation with the sector. The Roadmap is committed to improving Indigenous engagement and employment. Current Funding Opportunities Arts Queensland
Australia Council for the Arts
Public Galleries Queensland
State Library of Queensland
Gambling Community Benefit Fund
Australian Government Department for the Arts
 Flying Arts Alliance is listed in the Registration of Cultural Organisations, and has Deductible Gift Recipient and Tax Charity Concession status.
All donations above two dollars are tax deductible and will directly support programs and activities in schools and communities in regional and remote areas.
Flying Arts Alliance Inc acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and seas on which we work, live and create. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the unending connection of First Nations peoples to this country. We support the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Voice, Treaty and Truth. We value the contributions of First Nations artists, creatives, artisans, practitioners and communities to the work we do.
Flying Arts Alliance is honoured to acknowledge the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young PSM as our Patron. We also acknowledge Mr Tim Fairfax AC and Mrs Gina Fairfax as our Cultural Patrons.
Flying Arts is a not-for-profit organisation inspiring the appreciation, practice and professional development of the visual and media arts as a lifetime interest or career throughout regional and remote Queensland, supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and corporate partners and benefactors.
Flying Arts is the administrator in Queensland of the Regional Arts Fund (RAF), an Australian Government program provided through Regional Arts Australia.   |
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