About Us
The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia is the peak body and resource agency for Aboriginal art centres in the state. We support these small-scale, yet high-impact, arts organisations as they work to build the creative and economic potential of their communities.
Our History
AACHWA was originally established as a project department within Country Arts WA (now Regional Arts WA) in 2009. In 2015 we became a stand-alone, not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation, registered under the CATSI Act 2006.
Since 2009 we have:
- Delivered a variety of skills and professional development programs for its member art centre staff, boards and artists;
- Provided links to legal assistance, human resource advice and services for its art centre members in times of peak HR demand;
- Acted as a representative voice for art centres to the wider arts sector and to funding bodies at all levels of government;
- Acted as an effective conduit between art centres and funding bodies, the corporate sector, and government stakeholders.
Our programs and services are currently helping WA art centres to:
- Stabilise their operations and remain steady in volatile conditions;
- Improve certain skills of their core staff and/ or their artists;
- Reach wider markets for their work;
- Communicate with each other more effectively to encourage collaboration and cross-fertilisation of skills and knowledge.
Wimiya Woodley (left), CJ Lockyer and Joy Woodley (right) photographing Ngurra, Ngurrawanna Community, June 2024, image courtesy of Camera Story, photo: Sarah Landro
Mission and Values
Our Vision
What we want to see happen in the world
Our vision is that the practice of arts and culture remains at the heart of strong Aboriginal communities and Western Australian Aboriginal art is renowned, protected and celebrated locally, nationally and internationally.
Our Mission
Why AACHWA exists & how we help make the vision happen
AACHWA promotes, empowers and connects a vibrant and growing network of WA Aboriginal art centres, advocating on their behalf with a strong voice. As the peak body we work with and for art centres, supporting them to create art, maintain strong culture, employ best practice and ensure the wellbeing of artists and their communities.
We work with WA Aboriginal art centres to celebrate the strength of our art and culture by:
- Promoting: We are a strong voice for art centres
- Empowering: We encourage best practice, facilitate targeted training opportunities and encourage leadership within younger generations
- Connecting: We build strong networks with members and partners
Our Values
Our standards & how you can expect us to behave
- Respect – respecting culture and each other
- Integrity – being fair, transparent, and insisting on truth telling
- Leadership – setting an example and helping everyone achieve their best
- Imagination – being creative and coming up with new, exciting ways of doing things
- Collaboration – listening and working with others to get the best outcomes
Our Team
Chad Creighton
Chief Executive Officer
Rahel Zakarias
Executive Assistant
Amanda Scoble
Finance Manager
Glenda Dixon
Business Services Manager
Alexander Egloff
Our Country Moves & Our Mob Online
Project Manager
Amy Barrett-Lennard
Our Future, Revealed & Our Business
Events & Program Manager
Gari-Emma Perry
Make it Real
Project Manager
Simone Johnston
Advocacy & Infrastructure
Project Coordinator
Ilona McGuire
Our Country Moves
Curator
Emily Coy
Our Country Moves
Senior Project Coordinator
Katelyn Whitehurst
Our Country Moves
Project Coordinator
Rachael Karotkin
Our Mob Online
Project Coordinator
Ruth Leigh
Our Future, Revealed & Our Business
Project Coordinator
Liz Smith
Our Future, Revealed & Our Business
Project Officer
Melanie Faragher
Make it Real
Product Developer
Marco Octaviano
Make it Real
Administration and Sales Coordinator
Mariya Matthew
Project Accountant
Ella McDonald
Design & Marketing Coordinator
Kayla Thomas
Design & Marketing Assistant
Louise Vermeulen
Admin Officer
Our Board
Lynette Yu-Mackay
Chairperson
Nagula Jarndu Designs, Broome
Kuberan Muir
Deputy Chairperson
Walkatjurra Cultural Centre, Leonora
Para Nanayakkara
Treasurer, Non-member Director
Independent specialist
Mark Smith
Member Director
Yamaji Arts, Geraldton
Nerida Martin
Member Director
Tjarlirli Art, Tjukurla Community
Wendy Warrie
Member Director
Cheeditha Art Group, Roebourne
Agnes Pigram
Member Director
Ingarlgalandij Arts and Culture Hub, Ardyaloon Community
Vickie Baumgarten
Member Director
Spinifex Hill Studio, Port Hedland
Lorraine Coppin
Member Director
Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation, Ngurrawaana
Kimberley Swift
Non-member Director
Independent specialist
