A new arts center will be built on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands – to create jobs for locals and help meet an increasing national and international demand for APY art. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and South Australian Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Jay Weatherill were in Amata to announce the construction of the Tjala Arts Centre with $730,000 in funding from the Australian and State Governments.
Ms Macklin said the center – which will replace an old, inadequate building – would increase the community’s capacity to produce artwork.
“Since 2001, the Tjala Arts Centre has grown by almost 100 per cent as a result of an increase in art sales,” Ms Macklin said.
“This in turn makes a huge contribution to the economy of the community.”
“Many artists working at the center have achieved national and international reputations and the center is now recognized as a provider of high quality work.”
The new center will be bigger than the existing structure, with air conditioning and dust control, outdoor working areas and disability access. It will give established artists the space and scope to work and emerging artists the chance to learn skills and build their talent.
The new center is expected to be finished by the end of 2009. Other programs for the whole community will be run from the center focusing on health and nutrition, finance and money management, the environment and social and emotional well being.
South Australian Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Jay Weatherill said the center was a great example of APY Lands community enterprise.
“People living in remote communities face unique challenges and we need to do what we can to help them support themselves,” Mr Weatherill said.
“A new arts center will give the Amata community the scope and opportunity it needs to maintain and even increase the positive momentum it has gained through its production of a range of art works.”
“I am sure there will be many art enthusiasts in Australia and overseas who will also be happy to hear more APY art work will be soon on the market.”
Source: FaHCSIA
Net News Publisher for World News
