Gunbalanya art centre handed back to artists

Injalak Arts celebrated the return of the organisation back to the artists following a year under special administration, on Friday, February 14.
The Board of Directors joined with the Gunbalanya community to celebrate the ‘Handing Back Ceremony’, which included speeches, a barbecue and bungul.
It was also announced that the Territory Government will contribute a $1 million investment to progress the Territory Arts Trail initiative at Injalak Arts.
As one of the longest running remote Aboriginal art centres in Australia, Injalak Arts will complete a new screen printing workshop as part of the Arts Trail Gallery Extension Program. The workshop will help the centre to promote its artists, their culture and artworks, and complement their guided tours building greater opportunities and creating local jobs.
While attending the handover event, Member for Arafura Lawrence Costa said, “It has been a difficult year for Injalak Arts and Crafts, so it is wonderful to see the centre returned to the Board and the local community after a period of time in Special Administration. This is testament to the strength and tenacity of the art centre and the people of Gunbalanya. Injalak Arts can now look to the future and continue to grow as a critical economic, cultural and social hub for the people of West Arnhem Land.
Injalak Arts & Crafts Aboriginal Corporation Advisory Committee Member, Donna Nadjemerrek said, “We would like to thank both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments for the funding provided to enable Injalak Arts here at Gunbalanya to grow and prosper into the future.
“Our artists and local community are looking forward to the completion of the new screen printing building which will include dedicated spaces for a larger fabric screen printing workshop, archival storage and workspaces for art making which will expand our production and profile and increase employment for the local community.”

Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Eva Lawler said, “The gallery extension works at the Injalak Arts centre will ensure the people of West Arnhem have a workable facility to create new works and engage in the global art economy while providing a place for visitors to experience and purchase authentic Aboriginal art.
“Our Government supports Injalak Arts, a 100% Aboriginal-owned community organisation which delivers positive social, cultural and economic outcomes for the Gunbalanya community and its surrounding outstations.
The Arts Trail Gallery Extension Program is delivering targeted gallery infrastructure and innovative facilities to complement the Territory Arts Trail in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Arnhem Land. The Program will support jobs and economic growth through construction and tourism.