First Nations

The National Gallery is committed to building and maintaining meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples, artists, communities, organisations and cultures. First Nations art, artists and presences have taken an increasingly prominent role within the Gallery’s artistic and learning programs, while our First Nations Engagement portfolio works internally and with the broader arts industry to consolidate ethical engagement at all levels of the arts ecology while strengthening the position of First Nations art, culture and leadership across the nation.

Reconciliation Action Plan

The Gallery launched our Innovate RAP in September 2024. We can't wait to share our progress with you over the next two years.

First Nations Advisory Group

In 2022 the Gallery launched an Advisory Group to help guide and provide feedback and advice on our First Nations programs and on all matters concerning First Nations art and culture across our business.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the continent of Australia for tens of thousands of years. Their art and cultural traditions are among the most enduring in human history and among the most exciting in contemporary society.

The National Gallery is custodian of the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, comprising over 7500 works, which embraces, reflects and amplifies the diversity of First Nations art and culture.

The National Indigenous Art Triennial is the National Gallery’s flagship exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The National Indigenous Art Triennial is made possible through the continued generosity of the National Gallery’s First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters.

Wesfarmers Arts has been the National Gallery’s First Nations Arts Partner since 2009. The partnership actively promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists and inspires audiences through First Nations artistic programming.

Wesfarmers’ support includes championing the National Indigenous Art Triennial and other national and international touring exhibitions. The partnership also works to build capacity within the arts sector by providing professional development and mentorship opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers.

In addition, Wesfarmers Arts supports the acquisition of works of art for the national collection.

The National Gallery is committed to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural rights and engagement through its Cultural Rights Policy.

We understand that excellence shouldn’t only exist in the collection. The Gallery acknowledges that excellence is determined by the pursuit of meaningful and genuine collaboration with artists and their communities.

While we haven’t finalised our Engagement Protocols yet, you can find some templates, guidelines and more in depth information here, developed by the Australia Council for the Arts, and here, developed by the Australian Museums and Galleries Association.

Ethical Purchase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

In many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, art sales are the main source of income. Making sure you always buy ethically and authentically is not just about protecting your investment, it’s about respect for the world’s oldest living culture, ensuring the artists and those around them are paid fairly and securing a sustainable future for Australia’s Indigenous art industry (see Indigenous Art Code).

Developed as part of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony the acknowledgement video shown as visitors open the National Gallery website shows Traditional Custodian Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri (Walgalu), Wallaballooa (Ngunnawal), Pajong (Gundungurra) and Wiradjuri (Erambie) peoples, undertaking the traditional practice of tree scarring in Kamberri/Canberra, where the bark of a eucalypt is carved or removed to create cultural objects such as shields and coolamons.

Paul Girrawah House and Dr Aunty Matilda House’s tree scarring Mulanggari yur-wang (alive and strong) will be permanently featured in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden.