For decades, the idea of a National Indigenous Arts and Cultural Authority (NIACA) has emerged and re-emerged in recognition of the unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts as the world’s premier continuous cultural tradition and the ongoing responsibilities and obligations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to maintain, control, protect and nurture this inheritance and its myriad contemporary creative expressions.
The First Nations arts and cultural sector has identified a significant gap in existing structures and is working towards agreement to create a NIACA. A NIACA would provide a much needed central peak body for the Indigenous arts and cultural sector, providing First Nations artists and cultural organisations with a national voice across all areas of practice. The body would promote social, cultural and economic development, including important leadership on matters such as the upholding of Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural expression (TCE) and their cultural and intellectual property; arts practice priorities; and emerging issues and opportunities to increase economic returns for First Nations communities through increased participation in the creative industries.
There are a number of ways you can provide input through the consultation process. They include:
writing a submission in response to the discussion paper (opening October 8th)
completing the online survey (opening October 8th)
attending one of the First Nations consultation forums
The input through this consultation will feed into a national gathering on First Nations arts and culture in the second half of 2019. Subscribe to NIACA on their website for further updates www.niaca.com.au