Feast of Indigenous Culture this August

Four favourite Territory events are being joined by a newcomer this year as August turns into a celebration of Indigenous art, fashion, design and music. In a sign of the times, all will be accessible online, showing how the world’s oldest living culture is finding new ways to connect with people.

The new arrival is the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards. Created to provide a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fashion designers, the awards have six categories, including Fashion Design Award and Textile Design Award, with a combined prize value of $60,000. The winners will be revealed on 5 August. Visit www.nifa.com.au.

Salon des Refuses, run by Salon Arts Project, also opens on 5 August, exhibiting works submitted but not accepted into the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA). Part of the SALON20 series, you can view the impressive collection at the Charles Darwin University Art Gallery until 25 September or online. Five other exhibitions at different galleries complete SALON20. Visit www.salonartprojects.com.au.

Next up is the iconic Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. This year, instead of drawing thousands to the Darwin Convention Centre, it will take place online, with more than 50 Art Centres across Australia able to showcase their work to a potential audience of millions. You can buy an exquisite artwork from 6-14 August. Visit www.daaf.com.au.

On 7 August you can view the NATSIAA Ceremony and the incredible finalist artworks online via the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT’s (MAGNT) Instagram and Facebook channels, and at www.natsiaa.com.au. The artworks themselves will also be on display at MAGNT from 8 August.

On 8 August you can also catch the annual National Indigenous Music Awards on TV, radio and online. Billed as one of Australia’s most important music awards, the NIMAs showcase the rich diversity of the nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers. Visit www.nima.musicnt.com.au.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said it was great to partner with the unique events, which provide opportunities for artists to promote their work.

“The inaugural NIFAs are a great addition to the line-up this August, as the Aboriginal fashion design and textiles industry is an exciting developing industry.

The Territory is at the heart of Australia’s Aboriginal culture. We have an incredible pool of talented Aboriginal artists, designers and musicians right here, and the work of many of them will feature in these benchmark events.

Thanks to technology, access to these inspiring events is easier this year than ever before.”