For twenty-five years Ku Arts has provided advocacy, services and resources, creative skills and professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers across all stages of their careers in support of a strong and dynamic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts sector.
In October 2024, Ku Arts assisted 38 artists in exhibiting their works through the Digital Tarnanthi Art Fair. Our support included managing artwork cataloguing, photographing the pieces and packaging sales. We provide these services free of charge, ensuring that 100% of the profits go directly to the artists.
Read MoreOur open-access art studio in Adelaide CBD offers First Nations Artists an opportunity to access free art materials, a space to work, and 1:1 support relating to any aspect of their art practice.
Read MoreIn August 2024, eight South Australian First Nation artists participated in the Ku Arts Activate Program. The group travelled to Larrakia Country to attend the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, The National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, satellite exhibitions and events, including Country to Couture and Salon De Refuses.
Read MoreKu Arts hosted two impactful cultural camps in collaboration with Ernabella Arts, that brought together artists and community members. At Wamikata Sand dune, participants engaged in traditional practices such as cooking, weaving, painting, and Inma (performing songs and dances), deepening their connection to culture. The Christmas Tree Hill retreat provided a peaceful environment where artists could reflect, rejuvenate, and enhance their creative work.
Read MoreJamfactory jewellery associates hosted a hands-on two-day workshop that aimed to elevate participants’ jewellery designs through hand-made findings, using quality metals to make earring hooks and frames to weave onto.
Read MoreThe 2024 Elevate workshop series was developed to build on our strong connections with independent artists in the Murraylands, Coorong, Fleurieu and surrounding areas. The Elevate Program brings artists together, fostering community connections through diverse artistic practices and skills sharing.
Read MoreThe 2024 Aboriginal Artists in Residencies program is an initiative between Ku Arts and the Department of Correctional Services that brought established Aboriginal artists to six prison and community sites across South Australia to deliver workshops in paintings, carving, ceramics, and textiles.
Read MoreKu Arts supported artists entering the Malka Art Prize by hosting three week-long workshops in Port Augusta in April and May 2024. The workshops were designed in response to requests for support from independent artists seeking to access significant award opportunities
Read MoreKulintja Palya is a professional development program established by Ku Arts for art centre staff and managers to access skills development and training opportunities. This year, Ku Arts partnered with Iwiri to deliver a two-day intensive workshop delivered in Alice Springs focusing on Pitjantjatjara language and Cultural awareness directed at Art Centre Staff.
Read MoreOur Art Centre Program provides comprehensive support to art centres across South Australia. Through both on-site and off-site support, we aim to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of these vital cultural hubs, ensuring they continue to thrive and showcase the rich artistic heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Read MoreFrom April - September 2024, Ku Arts is delivering workshops and wrap-around business administration support at Ngapala Arts. Ku Arts will provide on-the-ground arts worker training and update gallery-related technology to revitalise the gallery presence and sales within community.
Read More"These paintings we created together in Coober Pedy, we are sharing a bit of our Country in this show. Coober Pedy is known for opals, we are showing you something different, these are our landscapes, our creeks, waterholes, our Country. Painting brings us together in a safe, healthy, happy way. We share together, talk together, get advice from each other. Some of us have been painting for a long time, some of us are learning. Creating art makes us strong, painting makes us happy." Jillian Williams, Yankunytjatjara Artist from Coober Pedy.
Read MoreBraving the 40+ degree heat, Ngarrindjeri artist Belinda Wilson, supported by the Ku Arts team, wowed festival goers with her resourceful found-object jewellery and wearable art.
Read MoreIn October 2023, JamFactory presented the an exhibition of works by artists from the Iwiri Wellbeing Centre. This exhibition was the result of workshops delivered by Ku Arts throughout 2022 and 2023.
Read MoreKu Arts oversaw a 4-week intensive skills development program in Ceduna across marine debris weaving techniques to create a large-scale sculpture that was presented at the Tarnanthi Art Fair as the Public Program.
Read MoreIn October 2023, Ku Arts presented a stall for independent artists at the Tarnanthi Art Fair held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. With representation from 50+ Art Centres across Australia, it was an incredibly successful event that provided opportunities for sales and a breadth of professional development.
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