A massive $60,000 is being injected into a leading indigenous arts space.
The money, which is coming from the State Government NSW Arts and Cultural Development Program, will enable the Armidale Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place to offer more programs to the public.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced the news to ACCKP director Dr Daisy William and program co-ordinator Bevan Quinlin on Wednesday.
“The Armidale keeping place is one of only 12 such places in this state and it is a significant place for aboriginal art and cultural collections,” Mr Marshall said.
“This funding will allow the centre to continue the work it does with its exhibitions, workshops and public and educational programs, but importantly it will allow them to add some more creative parts to their schedule of events and their operational calendar.
“It is the custodian of some wonderful aboriginal artefacts and a centre of rich local and regional art works of national value.”
Mr Quinlin has been working at the centre for six months and said he hoped the money would help him to further community connections.
“It’s good to receive the funding,” he said.
“The programs I run are working with the schools... they come and do activities like boomerang throwing and bush tucker walk and a tour of the centre.
“I tell them a bit about the artifacts that we have and I also organise the exhibitions that we have every two months.
“I love my culture and that’s what made me want to get involved and do more.”
I love my culture and that’s what made me want to get involved and do more.
- Bevan Quinlin
Ms William said the money would be reinvested back into the community by allowing the ACCKP team to bring more activities to school students and residents.
“We have about 18 to 20 exhibitions every year,” Ms William said.
“We run workshops throughout the year and we have about 2000 school children come in for these workshops annually.
“We run school holiday programs and a black and white photography group that meets once a month.
“The money will go towards Bevan’s salary and he will run most of the programs.
“It’s not disconnected with the community because it’s what the community wants.”
Mr Quinlin will also be investing his time in a new men’s group for the community connections program at the centre.
The men’s group is designed to reach out to more males in the Armidale region and connect them with each other for some engaging cultural activities.
