FIRST PEOPLES PERFORMING ARTS LOUNGE

ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY

ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading theatre companies.

We create challenging and inspiring theatre creatively controlled by Indigenous artists. Our stories are provocative and affecting and give voice to our unique cultures. Each year we travel to national, regional and remote locations across Australia and the world.

Born from community, ILBIJERRI has become a spearhead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in telling our stories of what it means to be Indigenous in Australia today. Our work possesses the power to reach out and remind audiences of every person’s need for family, history and heritage.

Our collaborative relationships with communities and artists are at the heart of our creative process and all our work empowers and enlightens our audiences.

YIRRA YAAKIN THEATRE COMPANY

Yirra Yaakin [Yir-raarh Yaarh-kin] which means “Stand Tall” in Noongar language, is based in the heart of the Noongar Nation – a distinct Aboriginal cultural group from the south-west of Western Australia. Yirra Yaakin is one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal-led theatre company and has been producing and presenting an annual program of quality contemporary Aboriginal theatre since 1993.

Over the past twenty-four years Yirra Yaakin has won 30 awards; delivered over 1,000 workshops; performed 900 shows; undertaken 50 tours; commissioned over 50 new Australian works; employed over 400 Aboriginal Arts workers; facilitated 45,000 Workshop Participants; and our shows have been seen by over 400,000 audience members. Internationally Yirra Yaakin has toured to six continents and 13 countries, and has been involved in 31 international events.

Yirra Yaakin’s fundamental purpose is to contribute to the evolution of the Australian performing arts sector by projecting a strong Aboriginal voice through live performance. Our primary ambition is to provide cultural leadership through strengthening and growing our connection to Community and becoming a “Centre of Excellence” in the creation, development and presentation of contemporary Aboriginal theatre and performance.

Through an annual program of contemporary Aboriginal theatre, commissions, development of new Aboriginal writing, educational workshops and employment, mentoring and industry access, we aim to train and nurture the next generation of Aboriginal artists and artsworkers. This will provide opportunities for emerging Aboriginal artists and technicians to deliver our programs, directly meeting the objective of developing professional pathways, mentoring opportunities and encouraging people of talent which contributes towards building greater capacity and adding to the diversity within the Australian performing arts sector.

MOOGAHLIN PERFORMING ARTS

Moogahlin Performing Arts is New South Wales’ leading First Peoples performing arts company. We develop, produce, and present new work, are strongly connected to community, and are committed to nurturing a new generation of First Peoples theatre practitioners locally, regionally, and nationally by building platforms for emerging and established theatre makers.

Moogahlin Performing Arts was formed in Redfern NSW in November 2007, in honour of the late Kevin Smith’s request, and in memory of the founding members of the Black Theatre.

BLAKDANCE AUSTRALIA

BlakDance is the national peak body for Indigenous Dance in Australia. Our membership features hundreds of independent choreographers and community practitioners. BlakDance:

• Is Indigenous led
• Has an innovative and culturally driven governance structure
• Is the trusted source of Indigenous dance advocacy and support in Australia
• Plays a critical role in brokering partnerships between our dance communities and presenters, policy makers, audiences, and stakeholders
• Provides Indigenous dance leadership

Since 2005, BlakDance has consistently delivered generative and transformative sector events, has contributed significantly to the development of an Indigenous small to medium dance sector and spearheaded generations of independent choreographers.

YIRRAMBOI FIRST NATIONS ARTS FESTIVAL

YIRRAMBOI means tomorrow in the shared languages of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nations. YIRRAMBOI Festival is Australia’s premier First Nations arts festival. A biennial celebration of contemporary Indigenous arts from around the world, hosted on Kulin country, Melbourne.

YIRRAMBOI is guided by key principles of Indigenous Leadership, New Work, Visibility & Dialogue and International Collaboration, overseen by the Elder’s Council of Kulin Leaders.

YIRRAMBOI shifts paradigms and perceptions in how we engage with, talk about, and present Indigenous arts, providing a continuous cycle of activity through flagship programs Blak Critics, Dhumba Wiiny and KIN.

YIRRAMBOI is a call to action today, forging a new tomorrow for artists, and art lovers, of all cultures.

Presented by City of Melbourne in partnership with First Peoples and Creative Victoria.

BLACKFULLA PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE

The Blackfulla Performing Arts Alliance (BPAA) exists to advocate for, inform and empower members of the professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Performing Arts sector; Independent Artists, Organisations and Communities.

We aim to review and influence political policy making in regards to Blackfulla Arts and Artists and advocate for respect for cultural importance and practice within the performing arts. We build relationships by developing and supporting Partnerships, collaborations and opportunities between members, institutions and industry. We are empowering the sector by Informing our members of industry events and professional opportunities and supporting new, emerging and independent Blackfulla artists with information; about skills development, funding opportunities and deadlines.

Blackfulla Performing Arts Alliance has a responsibility to empower Indigenous artists to excel and the Arts industry to evolve through inclusion, representation and engagement.

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