First Nations organisation to lead major Western Australia arts event

The Western Australian Government has awarded $930,000 to the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA) to deliver the Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists showcase.

It marks the first time a First Nations organisation has taken the lead role in delivering the major WA arts event.

AACHWA is a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation offering programs and services to assist WA Aboriginal art centres to operate sustainably, improve skills of their staff and artists, and reach wider markets for their work.

Since its inception in 2008, the Revealed program of events has attracted Aboriginal artists from across WA and showcased their unique works to a growing audience. The program of events includes professional development sessions, an art market and exhibition.

Last year's exhibition featured more than 100 artists from remote, regional, and metropolitan areas displaying work from a wide range of artistic media including painting, textiles, printmaking, sculpture, animation, and multimedia.

The Fremantle Arts Centre has been home to the art market and exhibition for the past eight years, and will stay on as an event partner to support AACHWA in 2024.

WA Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman shared "Congratulations to the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia on their successful proposal to run the Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists Exhibition from 2024 to 2026.

"As an Aboriginal-led and governed body, AACHWA provides a genuine and deeply rooted perspective on the art sector across Western Australia.

"They have a vision of creating not just an exhibition and market, but a festival-style event celebrating Aboriginal art, culture, community, and diversity, and I look forward to seeing this vision come to life.

"I thank the Fremantle Arts Centre for their previous curation of the event, and for their ongoing commitment to making Revealed WA's biggest Aboriginal art market."

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti added "The works showcased in the Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists exhibition reflect country and culture, so it is wonderful to have a First Nations organisation leading the event.

"The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia has a strong connection to Aboriginal art centres and artists, and a demonstrated commitment to promoting and empowering their work.

"This event not only supports artists but provides a valuable opportunity for them to share their creativity and stories with a wide audience, and to celebrate our State's diverse Aboriginal cultures and history."