Skip to main content

First Nations support

On this page you can find a directory of organisations and guilds that support First Nations artists, arts workers and arts organisations in Australia.

Share page
graphic artowork

13YARN

‍13YARN is a crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander that is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide 24 hour crisis support. 

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76  — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Go to 13YARN

Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia

Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA) is the peak body for Aboriginal art centres, an independent not-for-profit organisation that supports art centre staff, boards, and artists in Western Australia. They support their members with advocacy, training, and support. AACHWA helps art centres to run smoothly, improve skills, reach more buyers, and work together more effectively. Free health resources and publications are available on their website, and they run an annual Aboriginal Arts Centre Forum and Aboriginal Arts Worker Training Program.

Go to AACHWA

Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists

Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists (ANKA) Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit group that supports Aboriginal artists and Art Centres in the Top End of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. ANKA helps art centres and Aboriginal artists by offering services like advice, training, and networking. Aboriginal artists and art centres can join for free, but membership must be approved by the ANKA board.

Go to ANKA

Artback NT

Artback NT works with artists from around the Northern Territory to develop and tour their work to local, national and international audiences. They identify and assist with funding opportunities, establish and coordinate local, national and international tours of artistic work and design public programs and marketing materials. They accept expressions of interests through their website from visual artists, performers, and other creatives to produce exhibitions and productions.

Go to Artback NT

Ausdance Queensland

Ausdance Queensland is the peak industry association for all dance in QLD. It is part of the Ausdance national network. Prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities, Ausdance QLD work to improve dance accessibility,  inclusivity and diversity through professional development, resources, training and business advisory services. They provide advocacy and leadership for the Queensland dance sector, drives sector development, capability and sustainability. Members are individuals, small businesses, companies, organisations, schools and institutions and have access to paid and free services/resources.

Go to Ausdance Queensland

BlakDance

BlakDance is a national industry organisation for First Nation contemporary dancers and choreographers. They are a self-determined, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. They engage with contemporary First Nations dancers, choreographers, small-to-medium companies, their communities and arts industry partners through events, performances, gatherings and programs.

Go to BlakDance

Country Arts SA

Country Arts SA provides access to the arts in regional South Australia for artists and communities. With a focus of First Nations first and a community lens they commission new work, present shows, exhibitions, film, workshops and events at their four regional arts centres and at community-owned venues and gallery spaces across South Australia. They offer grants for regional artists and community groups and professional development programs for regional artists.

Go to Country Arts SA

Brother to Brother crisis line

The Brother to Brother crisis line provides phone support for Aboriginal men who need someone to talk to about relationship issues, family violence, parenting, drug and alcohol issues or who are struggling to cope for other reasons. The line is staffed by Aboriginal men, including Elders, who have a lived experience in the issues that the line offers support for. 

Call 1800 435 799 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Go to Brother to Brother

Desart

Desart is the peak body for Aboriginal arts and crafts centres in Central Australia with over 30 member centres. Desart is dedicated to supporting these centres, ensuring they provide autonomy, growth, and stability for Aboriginal communities in Central Australia. Desart supports Aboriginal art workers to learn, build skills and acquire knowledge relevant to working in an art centre business. They also support art centres to acquire and maintain infrastructure and resources.

Go to Desart

Diversity Arts Australia

Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is the national voice for ethno-cultural and migrant racial equity in the arts, cultural and creative industries. They offer a range of tailored diversity and inclusion services including training programs, events, projects and resources.

Go to DARTS

Indigenous Art Code Ltd

Indigenous Art Code Ltd (IartC) runs a voluntary Code of Conduct to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists make informed choices and get fair deals for their art. Dealers, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, agree to follow the Code’s rules for fair and honest trading. Artists can become a member for free, whereas dealers need to pay an annual fee. By joining as a member, artists and dealers can access guidelines that ensure fairness and honesty in the Indigenous art market.

Go to IartC

Ku Arts

Ku Arts is the South Australian support organisation for Aboriginal artists and art centres. They provide advocacy, free support services, and professional development to artists and arts workers at all stages of their careers. Guided by a First Nations board, Ku Arts focuses on strengthening a diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector that prioritises the self-determination and wellbeing of artists.

Go to Ku Arts

Multicultural Arts Victoria

Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) is a community arts organisation and peak advocacy body for the multicultural arts sector in Victoria. They provide a program of free events and projects, as well as services that link creatives to networking, funding and collaboration opportunities. MAV works to elevate diverse voices and promote the value of multicultural arts in the broader cultural landscape.

Go to MAV

NAISDA

NAISDA Dance College is Australia's leading arts training organisation, offering nationally accredited qualifications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.  They offer paid professional dance training delivered by experienced trainers from diverse Indigenous communities. Training is free for young people from remote, regional, and urban communities across Australia.

Go to NAISDA

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) is an Indigenous-led initiative of APRA AMCOS that serves as the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators. NATSIMO provides resources and connections to advance the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, while promoting best practices and advocating for their rights. They support the growth of songwriters and composers and advocate for a self-determined, thriving music industry.

Go to NATSIMO

Screenwest

Screenwest is a not-for-profit screen funding organisation based in Western Australia. It supports the development, production and promotion of film, television, and digital game projects in Western Australia. It also offers funding to assist diverse and First Nations content makers, provide professional development opportunities for screen practitioners, and promote screen culture in the region.

Go to Screenwest

QLife support and referrals

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ SB peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. They offer connection and a non-judgmental space to share about what is happening for you. 

Call 1800 184 527 — or webchat via their website

Go to QLife

WellMob

Wellmob provides social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Go to WellMob
Image alt text

We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.

We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways, and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions. We are privileged to gather on this Country and to share knowledge, culture and art, now and with future generations.

Art by Jordan Lovegrove