Media Release: Our Business 2025
Media Release | 15 September 2025
AACHWA reveals Our Business Forum 2025 program at Spinifex Hill Studios, Kariyarra Country/Port Hedland
Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA) has announced the return of Our Business: Aboriginal Art Centre Forum 2025 – a key pillar in its annual calendar – taking place on Kariyarra Country/Port Hedland, in partnership with Spinifex Hill Studio, one of AACHWA’s member art centres.
The four-day forum – running from Thursday 30 October to Sunday 2 November – is dedicated to supporting WA Aboriginal art centres through professional development, training in business management, regional partnerships, and opportunities for networking and market access.
Held annually in a different regional location, Our Business is a significant state-wide gathering that connects and champions Aboriginal art centres and arts workers across Western Australia. The 2025 program blends professional development, cultural exchange, and community celebration, with a strong focus on raising the profile and impact of WA Aboriginal art and artists.
At the forefront of advocating for art centres and communities since 2015, AACHWA is the peak advocacy and resource body for the development and support of Aboriginal art centres in Western Australia.
Chad Creighton, AACHWA CEO: ‘Aboriginal art centres are leaders in their communities. They’re innovators, hubs for the continuation of culture and language, and important generators of income and local jobs.
‘Our Business is about coming together – it’s a gathering of community and culture from across Western Australia.
‘The forum is a chance for art centres and arts workers to share their stories, make connections, grow their knowledge and professional expertise, and continue to build a strong, resilient Aboriginal arts sector.’
The Our Business forum highlights the vital role Aboriginal art centres play in keeping culture strong, fostering intergenerational knowledge sharing, and creating employment and development opportunities in regional and remote communities.
Access to arts and cultural activities is essential to building vibrant, liveable regional communities that benefit everyone.
With art centres across the state arriving in Port Hedland, this year’s forum is an opportunity for the local community to experience Western Australia’s rich First Nations culture and engage with free events at the local Aboriginal art centre – Spinifex Hill Studio.
Spinifex Hill champions the rich and dynamic artistic traditions of the Pilbara and beyond, welcoming First Nations artists from across many language groups. As one of the few open-access art centres, it supports a diverse community of artists, ranging from emerging practitioners to nationally recognised, award-winning Aboriginal artists.
Locals and visitors alike can enjoy a rotating program of exhibitions in their architect-designed gallery, the Spinifex Hill Project Space, built in 2021.
Program Highlights:
- Day 1 – Welcome & Cultural Experience (Thu 30 Oct):
A community-led cultural experience and creative workshop on Kariyarra Country. - Days 2–3 – Professional Development (Fri 31 Oct – Sat 1 Nov):
Workshops and discussions for art centre managers, staff, board members, artists, including local independent artists and sector stakeholders. - Day 4 – Public Showcase & Spinifex Sundowner (Sun 2 Nov):
An open invitation to the local Port Hedland community to come down to Spinifex Hill Studiofor a relaxed event of food, yarns, and chance to meet the artists.
For more information visit aachwa.com.au/ourbiz
For further information or questions please contact
Publicist Tiki Menegola | tiki@tikimenegola.com
Event Details:
Our Business: Aboriginal Art Centre Forum 2025
Thursday 30 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
Spinifex Hill Studio, Kariyarra Country, Port Hedland, WA
About Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of WA
The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia is the peak body and resource agency for Aboriginal art centres in the state. AACHWA represents more than 20 Aboriginal art centre members who, in turn, represent over 5,000 artists across WA, from over 90 different language groups. AACHWA supports these small-scale, yet high-impact, arts organisations as they work to build the creative and economic potential of their communities. AACHWA promotes, empowers and connects art centres by providing advocacy and business support; professional development; resource sharing and networking; product development support; and sales and exhibition platforms.
Our Business: Aboriginal Art Centre Forum 2025 is proudly funded by the WA Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) through the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP) and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Support program.
The forum is also supported by Community Partner Pilbara Ports and presenting partners Spinifex Hill Studio, North Regional TAFE, Gateway Village, Minutharntu Maya, Impact Seed, Art on the Move, Creative Australia, Copyright Agency, Indigenous Art Code and Desart (SAM).
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