The Territory Labor Government is investing $2.5 million towards the transformation of a northeast Arnhem Land art centre as part of its innovative Arts Trail Regional Gallery Extension Program.
Works, including upgraded gallery and multimedia exhibition spaces, will support the Yirrkala community's vision to develop its Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre as a major art and culture destination for visitors and collectors.
The investment will boost the economic potential of the BLMC and provide more opportunities for local artists, visitors and online audiences.
Plans include:
- additional and enhanced gallery spaces to showcase works on a larger scale and to display one of the nation's most significant yidaki (didgeridoo) collections; and
- interactive and immersive multimedia exhibition spaces to enable the centre to increase online audiences and engagement, and diversify revenue streams.
Col Browne Architect has been engaged to develop the project plan and manage the design and construction phases, supported by a project working group that includes representatives from the BLMC management committee and the NT Government.
Consultation is currently underway with local stakeholders to finalise the project plan and seek tenders for the design and construction of the upgrades.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
"The Territory Labor Government is developing leading cultural attractions across the Territory to maximise visitation, develop new and distinctive experiences and firmly position the NT as a cultural destination.
"We are investing in Aboriginal-owned galleries in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Arnhem Land as part of this program with works already underway at some sites.
"Our Government is committed to improving the arts, culture and creative industries in the NT because we know it will increase economic growth in regional areas through job creation and increased tourism as well as contribute to our vision of the Territory as a dynamic arts and culture hub."
Quotes from Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre – Co- Coordinator Will Stubbs:
"This Arts Trail Regional Gallery Extension investment is an exciting opportunity for BLMC to exhibit our larger-scale and multimedia artworks in our own gallery as well as being able to showcase our yidaki collection.
"Visitors to Yirrkala and online audiences will be able to immerse themselves in Yolngu culture, meet the artists and have a greater understanding of how art connects to culture.
"Most importantly, the upgraded centre will also strengthen the sharing of culture within the local community and increase income to artists and arts workers."
