2025 Cultural Keepers Program Application

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is the premier showcase event for contemporary fine art, design and culture of Australia's First Nation Peoples, hosting 75+ Art Centres from across Australia!

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, in partnership with the University of Melbourne, is delighted to present the 2025 Cultural Keepers Program!

Our commitment to ongoing consultation with our Cultural Keepers alumni means that we have built a program that gives back to our sector. At its core, it provides a national meeting place to network, build relationships, and share your experience and knowledge with other First Nations visual art professionals.

The program has two components:

An in person, and online symposium program to encourage and capture active and timely dialogue on important national and international discussions. The symposiums are also a space to present thought pieces, significant projects, stories to inspire, as well as industry challenges. The in person event is a First Nations only space.
Art Centre focused networking and support with remote Art Centres at DAAF. To deepen connections between artists and curators. We will pair you with 2-3 Art Centres who you connect with prior to the Fair. Days 2 and 3 will be about working with them and supporting them in their exhibition booth.

The key details of the 2025 in person program are as follows:

Where: Darwin Convention Centre, Northern Territory

When: 6-8 August 2025

Time: 8.30am – 5.00pm ACST daily

Key Dates

1 February 2025: Applications open
24 February 2025: Applications close
11 March 2025: Applicant's will receive confirmaton of participation in the program
April 2025: Curator and Art Centre introductions will be provided via email
April - July 2025: Online information sessions & symposiums (TBA)
5 August 2025: Country to Couture (show 1 & 2)
6-8 August 2025: Cultural Keepers Program
7 August 2025: DAAF Bump-in and Opening Ceremony
10 August 2025: DAAF closes at 4pm

Prior to DAAF

Curators will be paired with 2-3 Art Centres, to maximise mutual support, networking, and peer learning opportunities. Introductions between curators and Arts Centres will take place via email and video calls, in the lead up to DAAF.

Curators will be provided with an induction pack, and will be encouraged to research the Art Centres they are paired with (eg. key contacts, artist profiles and background)

The DAAF Foundation is proud to present Country to Couture which will showcase 20+ First Nations fashion collections across two shows. As part of participating in the Cultural Keepers Program, we will provide you with a complimentary standing ticket to the shows on Tuesday, 5 August 2025 (5pm and 8pm)

Day 1 (Wednesday, 6 August): Symposium

An opportunity for Arts Workers and curators to share stories, challenges, and projects with their peers. This is a First Nations only space.

Day 2 (Thursday, 7 August): Bump In and DAAF Opening Ceremony

Curators will assist Art Centres, and ensure their artist's works are presented to the highest possible standard at DAAF. DAAF Foundation will also provide you with a complementary ticket to attend the opening ceremony ($75 value).

Day 3 (Friday, 8 August): The Fair!

Provide hands on support for Art Centres in their exhibition booths during the opening day of the Fair.

You are able to apply to deliver a presentation at the symposium (a speaker's fee will be offered), or you can simply register to attend.

In 2025, the DAAF Foundation would also like to offer paid opportunities for curators to help facilitate elements of the DAAF Public Program, during the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. Roles may include assisting with artist workshops, demonstrations and talks.

We now warmly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curators (both independent and from public institutions) and senior Art Centre staff - or as we like to say, "Cultural Keepers", to apply.

Please make sure you have collected your headshot (1-10MB), short biography, and a letter from your workplace approving your participation (see more information below) before starting, and the form should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Applications will close on 24 February 2025, 5pm ACST

Past and new participants are encouraged to apply.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions at claire@daaf.com.au.

Warm Regards,

Claire Summers

DAAF Foundation Executive Director

The Cultural Keepers Program is proudly supported by the Place for Indigenous Art & Culture, University of Melbourne.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

Phone*

Which First Nations Country/Countries are you from?*

Which First Nations Country to you reside on?*

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

About you as a curator and/or senior Art Centre staff member*

Job Title*

Place of Work (e.g. National Gallery of Australia, ABC Art Centre)*

NB: If you are an independent curator, please write "Independent"

Permission to attend

If you are from an institution, please upload a letter or document from your employer that confirms you have permission to travel to Darwin and participate in person at the August event in Darwin 6-8 August 2025.

The DAAF Foundation is very happy to provide a letter of support outlining the professional development opportunity. Please reach out to claire@daaf.com.au if you would like us to provide a letter.

Upload your permission to attend

Browse Files

Please upload a letter or document as a PDF

The DAAF Foundation and the University of Melbourne are very aware that some curators may not have travel expenses covered by their workplace. We are working hard to help find funds to subsidise those who need travel support. Please let us know below what your travel situation is:*

I am an independent curator, and I have to cover my own travel expensesI am from an Art Centre and will be travelling to Darwin for the FairI work for a public institution, and they are covering my travel expensesI work for a public institution, however there is no budget to cover my travelI don't require any travel support to attend the Cultural Keepers ProgramOther

Short Biography

Please tell us about your cultural heritage and your experience as an Indigenous art professional. Note that this information will be used in the program brochure which is given to all participants of the program, and will also live on the DAAF website.

Your short biography (50-100 words):*

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Please upload an image of yourself*

Browse Files

Please upload a high resolution JPEG/jpg format at least 1000 x 1000 px. Note that this image will be used in the program brochure that DAAF Foundation produces which is given to all participants of the program.

Cultural Keepers Program participation streams in Darwin*

Participate in the three-day program which includes the symposium and two days working with an Art CentreParticipate in the three-day program, and present a presentation at the Symposium (a presentation fee will be offered)

If you would like to share a presentation at the Symposium about a project you are working on, an exhibition, or a key industry related issue, please provide a short description:

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Engagement with Art Centres

As a part of this experience, these are some of the potential activities you will be asked to engage in to support Art Centre managers and staff in the lead up to, and during the DAAF bump-in and opening day:

Work with Art Centres pre-DAAF and provide advice via a video call about curating exhibition spaces
Talk with participating Art Centres pre-DAAF about the kind of artwork that public institutions and private collectors might be looking for
Talk with Art Centres pre-DAAF about what makes an exhibition booth look exciting and attractive to visit at the Fair
Provide hands on support during DAAF bump-in to set up exhibition spaces and hang artworks.
Help managers look after their artists during the DAAF bump-in
Make time to sit down and have a cup of tea and conversation with Art Centre managers
Make time to sit down and have a cup of tea and conversation with Arts Workers and artists
We are an established Art Centre and would welcome and support having an emerging curator to work with us to prepare for the Fair
Provide curatorial advice (if you are a senior curator) to Art Centres as they prepare for the Fair

Are you comfortable providing support to Art Centres?*

Yes, I am comfortable to participate in the activities outlined aboveNo, I am not comfortable to participate in all the activities outlined above

If no, please let us know what activities you ARE comfortable with in the text box below:

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Do you have any special requests to work with particular Art Centres, or regions? Please also indicate if there is anything you would like to make us aware of in regards to working with Art Centres.

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Artist Masterclasses

In 2025, we would also like to offer curators a paid opportunity to assist artists as they present masterclass workshops and demonstrations. There will be a total of six workshops over the three day event (8-10 August). Your role would be to support the artists by encouraging a culturally safe and exciting space for participants to enjoy an artistic masterclass (you don't have to present the workshop!). You would work with an assigned volunteer to ensure that participation is confined to ticket holders.

I would you like to help facilitate an artist masterclass?*

YesNo

DAAF Open Studio

Demonstrations and artist talks will be held daily from 11:30am -1:30 pm. The Artist Talks are an element of the DAAF Public Program. Four intimate talks are presented which celebrate some of the Indigenous art sector's achievements and upcoming projects. We are offering two paid opportunities as part of the Artist Talk program:

Curator/Moderator (leading discussion)
Supporting panelist expert (e.g. conservator, master practitioner, collector)

Would you like to apply to lead/ moderate a Open Studio discussion?*

Yes - I am interested to know more about moderating an Open Studio talkNo - I'm not interested in participating in this part of the DAAF Public Program

Terms and Conditions

I understand that I will be notified by the 11 March 2025 if my application has been successful.
I agree that if my application is successful, I will sign the agreement with DAAF Foundation by 31 March 2025.
I understand that whilst the DAAF Foundation hopes to secure funds to subsidise travel, I will need pay for my travel to Darwin to attend the in person program.
I agree, if relevant, to provide a letter that confirms that I have received permision to participate in all three days of the program from the instituion I work for.
I agree to, if relevant, provide a digital copy of my presentation for the Cultural Keepers Program and Symposium by 31 July 2025 for the DAAF Foundation's audio visual team to set up ready for me to present.
I understand that DAAF Foundation will connect me to 2-3 Art Centres and provide me their contact information and website links to research the Art Centre I am paired with.
I understand that this application will be assessed by DAAF Foundation staff/board members, and considerations will include previous participation levels and Art Centre feedback from previous DAAF Foundation programs.
I agree that I will complete the survey about the Cultural Keepers Program and Symposium at the close of the program to reflect on my experience, and provide valuable feedback to the event organisers and funding bodies.
I agree to be filmed, interviewed and photographed as part of the Cultural Keepers Program, and understand that the material will be used by DAAF Foundation for reporting and marketing purposes in perpetuity.
I understand that all discussions during the symposium may be recorded for archival purposes.
I understand that I will participate in all three days, from the 6-8 August 2025. Lack of participation will impinge on involvement in future programs.
I will sign the DAAF Foundation Code of Conduct which will be included in the participation agreement.

I accept these Terms and Conditions*

YesNo

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback?

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation acknowledges the value, diversity and integrity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, music and performance as an integral expression of Australian culture. We respect the work of Art Centres in their support of the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural aspirations and expressions.

We acknowledge the Larrakia people, both past and present, as the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation will present events. We appreciate the opportunity to share this Country and are committed to working together and appropriately consulting with the Larrakia people in presenting the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.

Cultural Keepers Program Application 2025

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