- More than $1 million in funding over four years for the Wirnan Cultural Engagement and Learning Project
- Allows continuation of successful project supporting six art centres across the Kimberley
- Enables sharing of knowledge plus creation of arts programs to meet local needs and support wellbeing
More than $1 million in additional funding over four years has been approved for the successful Wirnan Cultural Engagement and Learning Project involving six art centres in the Kimberley.
Funding of $258,000 will be provided each year through the Arts Strategic Initiative managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts has successfully led the project which also includes Warmun Art, Kira Kiro Artists, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency, Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre, and Warlayirti Artists.
These centres form the Kimberley Aboriginal Artists alliance (KAA), allowing administration to be managed centrally while enabling each art centre to design a program tailored to local needs.
The project supports the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people through involvement in the arts and has been identified as a key project by the Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Governance Group within the Kimberley Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
The project had been funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance as a part of the National Suicide Prevention Trial and was then funded by DLGSC for the first year of a five-year program.
KAA centres work across a range of disciplines which include both contemporary and traditional arts, as well as performance practice aimed at maintaining and strengthening cultural skills and knowledge for future generations.
Participants have been able to take part in trips to country, skills workshops, mentoring, cultural events and creative projects.
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"I am pleased that the Cook Government has made a commitment to support the Wirnan Cultural Engagement and Learning Project for the next four years.
"Wirnan describes the complex idea of cultural exchange or trade from one Aboriginalgroup to another, and that is exactly what this important project is doing to ensure that cultural and artistic knowledge is shared and passed onto the next generation.
"Evaluation of the project has shown participants have not only developed their knowledge and skills but have reported having increased pride, greater connection and improved wellbeing through their involvement.
"I congratulate all involved in this collaborative project. I look forward to seeing the ongoing intergenerational transfer of knowledge and the associated improvements in wellbeing over the next four years."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"I am delighted to hear that this important project has received funding for another four years.
"Cultural engagement is key to social and emotional wellbeing and this program does this so beautifully through the arts."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"Each of the six art centres has created their own unique program as part of this project, ensuring that it is locally appropriate.
"It is a wonderful initiative and I am so pleased to hear that it has received significant funding for the next four years."
