Pictured (back row, from left): Nici Cumpston, Aaron Ken, Kiah Buckskin-James, Lavene Ngatokoura, Dameeli Coates, Jacinta Koolmatrie, Dearna Newchurch, Lilla Berry, Jahna Cedar, Charlotte Coulthard, Anne Thompson. Front Row: Lee-Ann Tjunapa Buckskin, Jade Turner, Jon Stanley, Jermaine Hampton, Deanne Hanchant-Nichols, Damien Ralphs.

Arts South Australia hosted the workshop last month for 19 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, arts workers and individuals working in or actively engaging with the arts and culture sector in South Australia.

Held at Nexus Arts, the workshop was facilitated by Jon Stanley and Jahna Cedar (a Nyiyaparli/Yindjibarndi woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia) from the Institute of Community Directors Australia and explored topics and themes including key principles that underpin governance, effective leadership, and healthy board decision-making processes.

This tailored workshop was a culturally safe space to voice truth telling around sensitive topics across two days on 7 and 8 June 2023.

Congratulations to the newly trained participants:

• Lavene Ngatokorua (Wankangurru, Adnyamathanha)
• Deanne Hanchant-Nichols (Ngarrindjeri)
• Dameeli Coates (Wakka Wakka)
• Jade Turner (Eastern Arrernte)
• Kiah Buckskin-James (Narrungga, Wirangu and Southern Arrernte)
• Jacinta Koolmatrie (Adnyamathanha and Ngarrindjeri)
• Anne Thompson (Pitjantjatjara)
• Lilla Berry (Yankunytjatjara)
• Pearl Berry (Yankunytjatjara)
• Dearna Newchurch (Kaurna, Narungga)
• Serena Gunter (Anangu, Mirning, Kokatha, APY)
• Jermaine Hampton (Arrenrte, Luritja, Mangarayi)
• Nicole Jane Cumpston (Barkandji people New South Wales)
• Damien Ralphs (Gunnai/Kurnai & Wotjobulok)
• Ellen Bertani (Kokatha and Ballardong)
• Charlotte Coulthard-Dare (Adnyamathanha, Barngarla and Yankunytjatjara)
• Aaron Ken (Pitjantjatjara)
• Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin (Narungga, Wirangu, Wotjobaluk)
• Nara Wilson (Kookatha, Wirangu and Larrakia).

Many of these participants are currently already on boards, committees and advisory panels, while some are seeking positions on art boards. Some participants have already created profiles on the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s BoardingCall database, from where they may be invited to join a government board and contribute their skills to make a difference to our state.

Arts South Australia’s next steps to support this cohort will be hosting a speed networking event inviting senior management from local art and cultural organisations. Stay tuned for more details.