Professional Development: Danjibana Noeleen Lalara, National Gallery of Australia (NGA) Indigenous Arts Leadership Program

31 March – 06 April and 26 May – 02 June 2022 
Wagga Wagga NSW and Canberra ACT 

The Indigenous Arts Leadership Program is a unique, competitive professional and cultural development opportunity. The Program supports First Nations arts workers to deepen their understanding of the creative sectors and build their network of support. This unique opportunity aims to nurture individuals as their careers progress. 

Bringing together a mixed cohort of national First Nations arts workers, the program allows participants to reflect and build on their skills and capabilities, while networking with influential First Nations creatives and industry stakeholders. 

Divided into two intensive residencies, the program is facilitated by an Elder-in-residence, who guides the program to meet the professional and cultural needs of participants. 

The first residency took place in Wagga Wagga on Wiradjuri Country. The program centred around exploring leadership within community though program alumni talks and presentations in addition to on-Country learning with Wiradjuri Elders and community members.  

The second residency, taking place in Canberra on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, focused on more traditional professional artwork development. Participants received hands-on experience with workshops conducted by staff from across the National Gallery and met with program Alumni and industry leaders before formally graduating from the program.  

Together, these two residential approaches provide a unique balance of ‘on Country’, and ‘institutional’ learning on leadership. It encourages participants to consider their individual cultural and institutional leadership styles.  

Congratulations to Danjibana on graduating from the Indigenous Arts Leadership Program!