Carriageworks appoints Jacob Boehme to new role of Director, First Nations Programs

Sydney multi-arts precinct, Carriageworks, has today announced the appointment of Narangga and Kaurna man Jacob Boehme as Director, First Nations Programs - a new role within Carriageworks focused on leading the development of First Nations artistic and cultural strategies

Carriageworks Chief Executive, Blair French welcomed Boehme to the role advising "Jacob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, which he will draw upon to develop and deliver programs of First Nations work across multiple artforms as well as fostering professional and community relationships."

A graduate of NAISDA and of the Victorian College of the Arts and an alumni of the British Council and Australia Council ACCELERATE Indigenous Leaders Program, Boehme has more than 20 years’ experience as a performer, choreographer, writer, producer and artistic director, as well as a long history of teaching in different contexts, and is currently within the cultural leadership program at NIDA. He was the founding Creative Director of Yirramboi Festival, City of Melbourne 2016-2019 and is currently artistic director for the Wild Dog project through Country Arts SA and Art Gallery of South Australia premiering at the upcoming Tarnanthi Festival.

Boehme’s solo work Blood on the Dance Floor received the 2017 Green Room Award Best Independent Production and he was recipient of the 2018 Australia Council for the Arts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship.

Boehme added “I am honoured to be joining the team at Carriageworks as Director, First Nations Programs. As the arts and cultural sector, its artists and organisations navigate this time of transition and change, it is as much an exciting opportunity as it is challenging to reimagine what our futures might look like. I look forward to working alongside my communities, Elders and colleagues to develop and deliver a new era of First Nations arts and cultural programs at Carriageworks.”

A commitment to First Nations art practices, culture and perspectives sits at the core of the Carriageworks program. This is highlighted by the Solid Ground initiative established in 2015 by Carriageworks and Blacktown Arts Centre that provides education and training pathways for First Nations young people into the arts and cultural industries. Carriageworks supports First Nations performance and arts through work with its resident companies and commissions through ongoing projects such as The National: New Australian Art, Klub Koori and SouthEast Aboriginal Arts Market.