First Nations Arts and Culture

STA works to promote and support First Nations artists, cultural organisations and communities. We connect to Aboriginal creatives, colleagues and communities to share, create, live & work. On this page you will find First Nation programs and opportunites conducted by STA as well as stories, oppotunites, resources and programs gathered from across the country.

Wherever you are in Australia you are on the lands and waters of Australia’s First Peoples. There are many language groups who live and meet across the region where STA operates. Main groups include; Wiradjuri Country coming in from the west, across the north is Gundungurra and Tharawal Country, the south is Ngunnawal & Nambri Country, and the east is Yuin Country.  For more info on those country you are on you can consult the AIATSIS Map (1994) which attempts to represent the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia. 

STA respectfully acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land, sky & waters where we live and their continuing cultural, spiritual customs and practices. 

10 October 2026 – Arts Alive Festival.

2pm -9pm A fabulous stall with First Nations creatives from across the Southern Tablelands Regions with a wide selection of pieces available to purchase. 

Want to be involved contact our Aboriginal Arts Officer today.

[email protected]

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The Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance Advocacy, support & opportunities for Aboriginal Artists and Communities in Regional NSW. STA is proud to work with ARAA.
ARAA runs regular events & workshops – SEE WHATS on OFFER

Mob in Focus: Holding Space

A very special platform for local Aboriginal Creatives for NAIDOC 2026.
FIND OUT MORE

Djon Mundine OAM is the STA Elder in Residence for 2026-27 . Deadly 🙂

Find Out More

ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORKS
Wingecarribee. Links and information for
support organisations, service providers and community
groups for Aboriginal People.

Belonging, Possum Skin Blanket Made in Queanbeyan with Aunty Matilda House

First Nations Exhibition at the STA Gallery online
Includes paintings, drawings, prints and objects. An STA Gallery exhibition.

 Mob in Focus: Time to Exhale
Online showcase of work by Aboriginal Artists from across the STA region.
View Now

First Nations, Funding Resources and Opportunities

4 Oct – M16 Art Space Drawing Prize  Prizes across multiple categories including First Nations and Youth Awards.

5 Oct – Kilgour Art Prize Non aquisitive figurative or portrait prize.

22nd Oct – Lakehouse Residency Four funded residencies and mutliple self funded residencies now open for 2027-2028

16 Nov – CIAF EOI Dancers and Performers 2027 Program Cairns Indigenous Art Fair now calling for musicians, dancers and poerformers for the 2027 Program.

16 Nov- CAIF EOI Artisian Showcase  EOI now open for 2027 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair for Artisian Showcase.

16 Nov – CIAF EOI Art Fair Showcase EOI now open for stallholders for 2027 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

16 Nov – CIAF EOI Workshop facilitators, Public Programming Opportunities EOI now open for multiple public program opportunities at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2027

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Jodie Munday 'One Nation - Many People' 2021

STA Acknowledgment of Country Commission

STA worked with Jodie Munday to create our First Nations acknowledgment screen when you arrive at our site using Jodie’s work One Nation – Many People. 
This work is a representation of our land and our people. The Magenta background is symbolic of our rich soils and our rich history. The large waterhole in the background connects life and land to water which both need to survive and thrive. The black and white circles in the centre of the image represent our ancestors. Spreading out across the work are many orange circles which represent different people and different mobs. These circles are joined across many paths to each other and our ancestors. 
This work tells the story that no matter how far we travel or what path we take in life we are always connected to our ancestors and we travel our journey with their knowledge, strength and guidance always by our sides and in our hearts. 
Jodie Munday

Jess Plumb ‘Travelling Arts’ 2022
Jess Plumb ‘Travelling Arts’ 22

PAINT THE CAR Commission
The STA car has had a deadly makeover with a wrap created from an original work title ‘Travelling arts’ by Jess Plumb. 
My digital artwork represents the travelling arts from a First Nations perspective. The Southern Tablelands Arts logo colours have been incorporated alongside others, to reflect the different areas that southern tablelands art covers and to show their support and collaboration with local artists…

Watch the full story and see the fab merch.

Jess and Cecelia with the car
Jess Plumb with Cecilia McKenzie in Crookwell

Stories from the Studio – First Nations Artists

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Brag

Stories From the Studio: Braidwood Regional Arts Centre It’s a special one for us tonight as we visit the Braidwood Regional Arts Centre, a volunteer run

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Axel Willings

Stories From the Studio: Axel Wellings This week STA were excited to visit Axel Wellings, a Wiradjuri singer-songwriter, musician and performer from Goulburn. We met with

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Leah Reeves

Stories From the Studio: Leah Reeves Leah Reeves is a proud Gamilaraay woman, devoted wife and mother who lives with her family on Wiradjuri Country

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Jodie Munday Mob In Focus

Stories From the Studio: Jodie Munday – Mob In Focus Southern Tablelands Arts is shining a spotlight on Aboriginal creativity through the Mob in Focus

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Judith Nangala Crispin

Stories from the Studio: Judith Nangala Crispin On the eve of World Poetry Day STA had the honour of visiting Judith Nangala Crispin at her

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Djon Mundine

Djon Mundine OAM: Stories from the Studio The STA Region boasts several nationally established creatives, and we are truly fortunate to include Bandjalung man, Djon

Creative Directory – First Nations

First Nations artists, designers, creatives and cultural organisations right across the Southern Tablelands and Highlands of NSW.
Search the full Creative Directory here.

Jerikye Williams

Jerikye Williams is a Wiradjuri man, born in Cowra and living in Queanbeyan on Ngambri/Ngunnawal land. Jerikye is said to have been born with a guitar

Pam Luke

Southern Highlands artist known for her vibrant contemporary Aboriginal art that reflects her Daruk heritage and deep connections within the Indigenous community. Pam’s creative process

Susan Buret

Susan Buret at Blackhouse Studio, is a ceramicist, painter and installation artist whose works are inspired by the colours and forms of indigenous and exotic

Warwick Keen

Warwick has been a practicing artist for over 40 years and an Art Teacher since 1995. During his time as a teacher he has been

Stewart James

Stewart is a Wiradjuri man, born and raised in Narrandera and now residing in Young NSW.  “My art has given me opportunities that I did

P & J Design

Aboriginal family (3 generations) We paint a wide range of upcycled & usable art

Dashanti Carr

Dashanti is a 17-year-old 4th generation Aboriginal artist living in Berrima.

Delise Freeman

Aboriginal Designed and Hand painted Wooden Cheese Boards. I have a variety of Items available – Wooden Cheese Boards and Coasters, Wooden Spoons and Clocks.

Jess Plumb (Boney)

Jess is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and a Contemporary Aboriginal Artist with a strong connection to Culture and Country, living in Crookwell NSW. Jess describes

Mulwaree Aboriginal Community Inc.

Mulwaree Aboriginal Community is an inclusive organisation for people living in Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan LGA’s. We work collaboratively with other organisations to provide

Djon Mundine

Djon Mundine OAM is a proud Bandjalung man. Mundine is a curator, writer, artist and activist and is celebrated as a foundational figure in the criticism

Ricky Khan

Ricky Khan of Bundjalung origin & nation Northern Rivers (Grafton NSW). Member of the Robinson, Daley, Khan & Roach families. Welcomed & residing on Gundungurra Country

Jodie Munday | Cr8ive Art

I have been studying art and building my skills for most of my life. My passion for Visual Arts really took hold during my high

Alfie Walker

Alfie is a Wiradjuri Gibir, Yuin man & local Aboriginal story teller. Alfie is sharing his stories through Contemporary Aboriginal rock painting

First Nations Arts oppotunities through Creative Australia

First Nations funding opportunities currently on offer through Grant Connect.

Creative Koori Projects aims to build support for a strong, resilient and exciting Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW.

Indigenous Contemporary Music program professional industry-based opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands.

Aboriginal Benefits Foundation Grants Assist Aboriginal communities and individuals.

Indigenous Advancement Strategy  (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs for Indigenous Australians.

NADA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DESIGN AGENCY – creating and managing the partnerships between Aboriginal artists and clients.

First Nations Resources and Links

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people.

Gambay: a map of Australia’s first languages. Explore the first languages of our nation, with stories, videos, talks and much more.

NADA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DESIGN AGENCY – creating and managing the partnerships between Aboriginal artists and clients.

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Know Your Country information on acknowledging the Traditional Custodians / Owners of the land you are on, resources, educational support and more.

Reconciliation Australia. Lead body for reconciliation in Australia, to promote and facilitate reconciliation.

First Languages Australia Encourages communication between communities, the government. Resources, projects and information.

NAIDOC WEEK is the first week of July each year. A time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA) serves and represents artists, individuals and organisations that produce, promote, protect culture

Real Futures
Building community capacity through job readiness, training services and employment for Mob across Austraila.

Supply Nation
Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses: search by business name, product, service, area, or category.

Indigenous Business Australia
Assist and enhance the economic development opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia

Connect with Indigenous business women, to share knowledge in navigating the path less trodden. Wherever you are in your business journey, you have wisdom to share.

13YARN – First Nations crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping

Local Aboriginal Land Councils

STA First Nations Commitment

STA works to promote and support First Nations peoples to achieve creative and cultural outcomes.

We work respectfully and effectively with First Nations peoples, families and communities.

STA is committed to being a culturally safe and competent organisation. Working to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations stakeholders and organisations, using our sphere of influence to feature First Nations culture, enhance employment and opportunities to creatively express and practice culture.

We promise to learn slowly, listen often and respect the sovereignty of First Nations people.

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Jodie Munday
Aboriginal Arts Officer
Lives in Goulburn Mulwaree. Artist & educator

We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands where we create, live & work. 

© 2026 Southern Tablelands Arts. All Rights Reserved