Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program participants announced

15 First Nations art professionals have been selected to participate in the 2024 Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program at the National Gallery of Australia.

Bringing together a group of emerging and established arts professionals with varying backgrounds and areas of expertise, the Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is a chance for participants to enhance their industry knowledge and network and develop new skills. Since 2010, the program has played a leading role in supporting established and emerging First Nations leaders within the arts sector with professional development and mentorship opportunities. A total of 122 First Nations alumni have graduated from the program since its inception.

The National Gallery and Wesfarmers are pleased to announce the participants of the 2024 Program:

The 10-day program has commenced and will see the participants immersed in intensive arts, cultural and leadership development, have exposure to gallery operations through facility tours and speakers, as well as hear from industry specialists and former alumni of the program. Session leaders and speakers include Gallery staff, industry professionals Wesley Enoch, Genevieve Grieves from Shifting Ground, Dan Bourchier from ABC as well as Wesfarmers Leadership program alumni like Paul Girrawah House, Clothilde Bullen, and artist Tony Albert and Helen Carroll from Wesfarmers Arts.

Tina Baum (Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples), Senior Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery: ‘The Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is a unique opportunity for First Nations arts professionals from across the country to come together on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country to engage with the National Gallery and First Nations leaders in the sector. With Wesfarmers Arts’ support, this is an opportunity to engage with industry professionals, and each other, to develop essential leadership skills relevant to the Arts sector.’

The Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the National Gallery’s First Nations Arts Partner, Wesfarmers Arts. The program is a key pillar of the partnership between the National Gallery and Wesfarmers Arts which focuses on supporting, celebrating and sharing First Nations art and culture.

Helen Carroll, Manager Wesfarmers Arts: ‘The Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is at the heart of the partnership between Wesfarmers and the National Gallery. We share a commitment to elevate First Nations art and artists that began with the first iteration of the leadership program over 15 years ago with the aim to increase participation by First Nations people in visual arts management across Australia’s gallery, museum and cultural sectors. We are thrilled that following the 2024 program, 138 First Nations arts professionals will have graduated from the leadership program since its inception.’

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
JESS BARNES
Communications Manager
M | +61 437 986 286
E | jessica.barnes@nga.gov.au or media@nga.gov.au

FIRST NATIONS ARTS PARTNER:

ABOUT THE NAME

Dhiraamalang (pronunciation: Dirra/ma/lung) is a Ngambri/Kamberri, Walgalu & Wiradyuri word meaning leader, spokesman, law giver, teacher. The Gallery collaborated with Leadership alumni and Traditional Custodian Paul Girrawah House to incorporate Ngambri/Kamberri, Walgalu & Wiradyuri language into the program name in 2024.

ABOUT DHIRAAMALANG: WESFARMERS FIRST NATIONS ARTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

A key pillar of the partnership between the National Gallery and Wesfarmers is the Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program. Established in 2010, the program has played a leading role in building capacity within the arts sector through leadership, professional development and mentorship opportunities for First Nations arts professionals. Cultural development is a key component of the leadership program, which has been designed to assist, elevate and instill foundational skills and understanding in a cultural context for our future leaders in the sector. Cultural development focuses on; on-Country experiences, yarning with local Elders in the Community, how to decolonise your work; and cultural competency in the arts sector. The professional development component of this program has been uniquely tailored for First Nations arts professionals in a creative arts context. This initiative has been designed to cultivate leadership skills and deepen understanding of front and back-of-house operations in museums and galleries, ensuring First Nations arts professionals are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of national and international arts institutions. Through a blend of immersive cultural learning experiences, hands-on workshops and mentorship, this program empowers First Nations arts professionals to enhance their strategic and critical thinking, operational expertise and leadership skills.