News

New Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer for the Mid North Coast

Arts Mid North Coast has secured partnership funding for a full-time Indigenous Arts and Cultural Officer for the region, starting in December.

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Many Rivers Regional Council of ATSIC have both contributed funding for the position and it is anticipated that a further contribution will be made by the NSW Ministry for the Arts at the end of this year.

The new officer will join the first Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development Officer to work in regional NSW, Gail Naden, based at Coonamble in the Far West region. The position will also be supported by the state Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer, Charlie Trindall, employed by Regional Arts NSW and based in Armidale.

The Mid North Coast has the highest regional Indigenous population in NSW. Kempsey, at the geographic centre of the region, has the second highest Indigenous population for a regoinal centre in NSW, followed closely by Taree.

The need for this Indigenous position has been identified in a number of planning processes. It is seen as one of the number one priorities by Indigenous communities across the Mid North Coast.

The position will further a self-determined approach to Indigenous arts and cultural development in the Mid North Coast region.

For more information, contact Richard Holloway, RADO, Mid North Coast.