Published 20 January 2025
A landmark partnership between the City of Bunbury, Alcoa Foundation and Gnaala Karla Boodja (GKB) Aboriginal Corporation will see a dedicated Noongar arts space in the heart of Bunbury's City Centre.
The City is proud to have been awarded a transformative grant from the Alcoa Foundation to establish the arts space. This landmark initiative represents a significant milestone in supporting First Nations art and culture in the State, as it is set to become the first space of its kind in the South West region.
The new Noongar arts space will serve as a vibrant hub for the development and dissemination of First Nations art, building on existing support from the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program and the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries.
By empowering First Nations artists to create sustainable livelihoods, the arts space will provide a vital platform for truth-telling and cultural preservation, sharing the stories, histories, and practices of Noongar people with wider audiences.
Regular workshops and annual showcases of Noongar arts will further celebrate the creativity and talent of the community while fostering deeper connections to Noongar cultural heritage.
A part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and GKB, this partnership aligns with the City’s commitment to work alongside First Nations Elders, artists, and community members to celebrate and support Noongar culture.
The implementation of the initiative will be led by the City and will include extensive community consultation, oversight from the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery Aboriginal Advisory Group, and collaboration with GKB to ensure the project reflects the aspirations of local First Nations communities.
To maximise its regional impact, the project will deliver a comprehensive outreach program to engage communities in the upper South West and Peel regions, including Pinjarra, Dwellingup, Jarrahdale, Waroona and Harvey.
This approach is designed to address accessibility challenges and ensure that First Nations artists and community members across the region benefit from opportunities to participate and feel supported in continuing their long-standing cultural practices.