What is an Art Centre?
- En Tissu
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Art Centre is a place where community can come together in a safe environment to share culture and stories through creative means and social interaction.
Most Art Centres specialise in teaching and practicing specific arts such as weaving, screen printing, clay work and painting. They are not-for-profit community enterprises, ensuring that any revenue from selling art and artefacts goes straight back into that the art centre and the community, allowing their community to continue to live and connect with country.
Art Centres also offer an opportunity for First Nations communities to learn about business enterprise, career paths and training as well sometimes offering much needed community services such as medical and legal advice. Increasingly art centres are also archiving artworks and preserving information and culture for the future.
By purchasing directly from Art Centres you are helping to support and ensure Indigenous art can continue to be produce and to thrive for the benefit of future generations.
Fun Facts:
*Art Centres can be found all over Australia.
*There are approximately 50 Art Centres present in the Top End of the Northern Territory and Western Australia including Arnhem Land, The Kimberley’s, Darwin, Katherine and the Tiwi Island
*There are about 30 Art Centres located in the Central Desert region of the Northern Territory, the APY Lands, and Ngaanyatjarra country in Western Australia.
*There are approximately 14 Art Centres in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands
*The first Art Centre opened in 1948 in the community of Pukatja in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (known as APY Lands) of North Western South Australia. Still in operation they are known for their weaving, ceramics, painting and batik designs
Fabric and Form purchase First Nations fabrics directly from Art Centres in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland
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