YIRRAMBOI and the City of Melbourne are searching for inspiring creatives keen to take part in Australia’s premier First Nations Arts Festival – YIRRAMBOI 2021.
Expressions of Interest for YIRRAMBOI Commissions are now open for First Nations artists, collectives and creative community groups, with up to $18,000 in grants on offer for selected projects.
Chair of the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, Councillor Rohan Leppert, said the City of Melbourne will support the funding of five live performances at the 2021 event. “YIRRAMBOI is about empowering new generations of First Nations creatives and we’re excited to hear from First Nations communities,” said Cr Leppert.
“Through the YIRRAMBOI Commissions we will provide direct support, resources and advice to emerging and mid-career artists with First Nations backgrounds to create, develop and present new works at the festival.”
In 2019, YIRRAMBOI commissioned four live performances by First Nations creatives, including the sold out shows Daddy by Joel Bray and Night River by Mark Coles Smith; dance piece Blood Quantum by Ngioka Bunda-Heath; and The Honouring by actor Jack Sheppard.
YIRAAMBOI is committed to supporting rising artists in the community to present stories that provide the authority to determine ‘our narratives, presented our way’. Applications are sought across all artistic genres, with projects suitable for presentation in a performance venue in Melbourne.
YIRRAMBOI Creative Director Caroline Martin said the YIRRAMBOI Commissions place First Nations voices first at the festival. “While the cultures belong to First Peoples, it is our shared history, and our chance to create the vision for the future,” she said.
Eligible applicants must identify as First Nations, be a practising artist, arts ensemble or organisation with demonstrated experience applicable to their proposed performance, and be based in Victoria. Applications close at midnight Friday 27 March 2020. For more information on the YIRRAMBOI Commissions, visit: www.yirramboi.net.au for details.
Image: Blood Quantum by Ngioka Bunda-Heath – photo by Jalaru Photography