- Minister for Creative Industries
For the first time, Victoria’s First Peoples will have a formalised leadership role when creative and cultural policies are developed, with the appointment of Creative Victoria’s new First Peoples Partnership Group.
Eleven positions on the First Peoples Partnership Group will embed Aboriginal self-determination and community voice throughout the development and delivery of Victoria’s next creative industries strategy from 2020 to 2024.
The creation of the group delivers a key action of the Andrews Labor Government’s First Peoples Action Plan for the Creative Industries, launched by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley in 2018.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now being sought from qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are interested in shaping Victoria’s creative future.
EOIs are invited from First Peoples across Victoria with a connection to creative endeavours such as visual arts, music, design, fashion and screen. The group members will be selected by a First Peoples panel of esteemed peers, including:
- Andrew Jackomos (chair), executive director, Aboriginal Economic Development Branch, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Yorta Yorta/Gunditjmara
- N’arweet Carolyn Briggs AM, elder, Boon Wurrung
- Vicki Couzens, artist and academic, Gunditjmara/Keerray Woorroong
- Deborah Cheetham AO, composer, soprano and Melbourne Recital Centre board member, Yorta Yorta
- Dr Lou Bennett AM, musician, academic and Melbourne International Arts Festival director, Yorta Yorta
- Stacie Piper, curator and Victorian NAIDOC Committee chair, Wurundjeri/Dja Dja Wurrung
Candidates must have at least five years of recent experience related to the creative industries, a passion for strategic and cultural development and must represent the needs of their region and artform, as well as First Peoples and the broader industry.
Expressions of Interest close on Tuesday, 3 December. For more information, visit creative.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“The First Peoples Partnership Group will amplify First Peoples voices and opportunities in the creative industries.”
“It will fundamentally change the way Creative Victoria works with First Peoples and develops policies and strategies for the creative industries.”
As stated by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings
“Victoria’s creative and cultural heritage can be traced back to the artistic works of our First Peoples – it’s only right that they be recognised and included in how our creative future looks.”
As stated by First Peoples senior manager at Creative Victoria Kylie Belling
“This is a significant step towards self-determination of First Peoples within the creative industries of Victoria.”
