A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art space will be part of the future arts precinct in Kingston. It will occupy the precinct alongside six visual arts organisations (Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Canberra Glassworks, Craft + Design Canberra, M16 Artspace, Megalo Print Studio andphoto access).
The ACT Government made a commitment to facilitate the formation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group who will self-determine the shape of this future organisation.
The Reference Group will guide the design of the dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Space at the Kingston Arts Precinct and prepare for the independent First Nations led operation of the space. They are tasked with establishing the organisation’s critical documents, including the rules or constitution as well as the organisation’s name, vision, strategic plans, and organisational structure.
The Reference Group is appointed through a merit selection process to ensure the required experience and skills, as well as reflecting the diversity of the ACT community and national cultural arts sector. Members come from a diversity of language groups and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, career stages and from across Australia.
artsACT will provide Secretariat support to the Reference Group until such time as the succeeding organisation is formally established to manage the art space.
You can download the full versions of the Terms of Reference here:
Samantha Faulkner – Chairperson
Wuthathi/Yadhaigana peoples and Badu/Moa Islands,Torres Strait Islands
Samantha is a writer, poet and Director of Indigenous Health at the National Health and Medical Research Council. She has previously worked in policy, ethics, and research roles spanning areas related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and arts. Samantha has represented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout her career on local, state, and national boards and advisory committees including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network, Us Mob Writing Group as Treasurer, and ACT Torres Strait Islander Corporation as Treasurer and former Chair. Samantha was a former member of the Minister’s Creative Council.
Tina Baum – Deputy Chairperson
Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples
Tina is Acting Senior Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the National Gallery of Australia, where she has worked since 2005. Tina has over 35 years’ experience working in Museums and Galleries throughout Australia alongside local and international First Nations communities. Tina has contributed her expertise on boards and committees, including for Canberra Contemporary Art Space.
Nancy Bamaga
Samu/Thabu peoples from Saibai Island, Top Western Torres Strait Islands
Nancy is an experienced Creative Producer and Community Development practitioner with a focus on First Nations programming and development. Her business, Bamaga Productions Pty Ltd, specialises in cultural projects and events. Nancy has established networks with individuals and organisations across the sector. Nancy has served as non-executive Board member of Tourism Events Queensland, Queensland Museum Consultative Committee and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art Indigenous Advisory Panel.
Simon Carmichael
Ngugi (Quandamooka) peoples
Simon has a diverse background managing public art, design and creative production, artwork fabrication, event programming and community-led projects. He is currently Artistic Director at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation. He serves on the Indigenous Australians Advisory Committee for the Queensland Music Festival. With extensive experience working alongside First Nations artists, he has had the honour of supporting artists in bringing their visions to life on the national and international stage. Simon is deeply passionate about the power of storytelling and is driven to work on projects that amplify First Nations voices and cultural expression.
Vanessa Elliott
Jaru peoples
Vanessa is Principal Consultant of Vanessa Elliot & Associates. Her skillset spans strategic leadership, Indigenous corporate affairs, government relations and policy, and regional development with extensive experience in government and community roles, and as an independent consultant. Vanessa co-developed the WA Government Aboriginal Art Centre policy and funding program. She has extensive board experience with community organisations and national bodies such as Indigenous Business Australia and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
Juanita Kelly-Mundine
West Bundjalung/Yuin peoples
Juanita (she/they) is a proud West Bundjalung and Yuin woman engaged in First Nations heritage conservation and custodial care. Her practice is focused on creating collection management and conservation strategies that prioritise community access, engagement, and custodianship, as well as the integration of Indigenous languages, knowledges, and systems of care. She has trained and worked in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property law and to contributed to research projects and publications across specialty areas including fine arts, cultural heritage, and the performing arts. Juanita is the First Nations Collections Coordinator at the National Museum of Australia.
Shilo McNamee
Eastern Arrernte/Jaru peoples
Shilo is First Nations Lead at Regional Arts Australia. She was previously Artistic Director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Creative Director of Indigenous Fashion Projects. She has a diverse skillset specialising in arts management, curation, and events. Through her work, Shilo has engaged with artists, arts workers, and organisations from urban and remote communities across Australia. Shilo was selected to attend the Venice Biennale as a part of Creative Australia’s Indigenous Curator program in 2017.
Violet Sheridan
Ngunnawal people
Aunty Violet is a senior Ngunnawal elder and prominent community leader. She is actively engaged in a broad range of advocacy and cultural consultation work in support of reconciliation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and closing the gap. Aunty Violet has served on boards and committees for over a decade, including Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Onerwal Local Aboriginal Lands Council, and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Committee.
Kim Walker
Kim has held senior positions within arts organisations for over 30 years and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of NAISDA, Australia’s national dance training college for First Nations people. As a non-Indigenous man of West Indian and Australian heritage, Kim is closely connected to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, working with First Nations people to strengthen Indigenous outcomes and futures. Kim has extensive governance experience, serving as a member of Create NSW’s Dance and Physical Theatre Board, Ausdance NSW Board, Barang Regional Alliance Board and Creative Australia’s Theatre Board.
An update from Samantha Faulkner, Chair of the Reference Group (August, 2025):
The Reference Group is one year into our three-year term.
We have held the following meetings:
Agenda items have included: ground rules and protocols, governance, design, strategic planning (organisational vision, values and objectives) and program of work.
Two working groups have been established to work out-of-session on governance and design items.
Our next Reference Group meeting for the year will be held on:
Reference Group members at the August 2024 meeting (L-R): Simon Carmichael, Shilo McNamee, Violet Sheridan, Vanessa Elliott, Nancy Bamaga, Juanita Kelly-Mundine, Samantha Faulkner. Not pictured: Tina Baum, Kim Walker.
Reference Group members at the February 2025 meeting (L-R): Shilo McNamee, Nancy Bamaga, Simon Carmichael, Tina Baum, Sam Faulkner, Vanessa Elliot, Kim Walker, Juanita Kelly-Mundine. Not pictured: Violet Sheridan.
