Our Business 2025: Program
Program overview
Thursday 30 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
Kariyarra Country, Port Hedland
In 2025 Our Business: Aboriginal Art Centre Forum is heading to Kariyarra Country, Port Hedland, and will be presented in association with AACHWA’s member art centre Spinifex Hill Studio.
Day 1: Welcome, cultural experience & creative workshop | Thu 30 Oct
Open to art centre managers, staff and board, independent artists, arts industry and government cultural workers.
Day 2 & 3: Professional development | Fri 31 Oct – Sat 1 Nov
Open to art centre managers, staff and board, independent artists, arts industry and government cultural workers.
Day 4: Showcase & celebrations | Sun 2 Nov
Open to general public and all professionals and industry who engage with Aboriginal arts and culture.
Book your trip
If you have any questions, get in touch with our team at ourbusiness@aachwa.com.au or (08) 9200 6248.
Please view the Terms & Conditions for registering and attending Our Business 2025.
Program
Thursday 30 October
Spinifex Hill Studio & Project Space
9am | Welcome & morning tea
Spinifex Hill Project Space
Join us for a Welcome to Country on Kariyarra Country (Port Hedland), followed by AACHWA and official welcomes before morning tea as Our Business 2025 kicks off.
11am | Printmaking workshop & cultural experience
Spinifex Hill Studio
Participants will split into two groups for the day’s printmaking workshop and cultural experience.
Group 1: Printmaking workshop
Be welcomed into the creative hub that is the Spinifex Hill Studio, and get to know your fellow forum guests in a special linocut printmaking workshop with Spinifex artists Ruby Alderton and Rekeshia Goodwin.
Facilitators: Ruby Alderton (Gumatj/Yolngu) & Rekeshia Goodwin (Thiin-Mah/Ngoonooru Wadjari), Spinifex Hill Studio
Group 2: Cultural experience
Join us for a unique cultural experience on Kariyarra Country.
1:15pm | Lunch
Enjoy a complimentary lunch at Spinifex Hill Studio.
2pm | Continued: Printmaking workshop & cultural experience
Spinifex Hill Studio
Participants will continue in their allocated groups for the second activity of the day.
Group 1: Cultural experience
Join us for a unique cultural experience on Kariyarra Country.
Group 2: Printmaking workshop
Be welcomed into the creative hub that is the Spinifex Hill Studio, and get to know your fellow forum guests in a special linocut printmaking workshop with Spinifex artists Ruby Alderton and Rekeshia Goodwin.
Facilitators: Ruby Alderton (Gumatj/Yolngu) & Rekeshia Goodwin (Thiin-Mah/Ngoonooru Wadjari), Spinifex Hill Studio
4:00pm | Afternoon tea
Enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea at Spinifex Hill Studio.
4:30pm | End
Satellite event
6pm | Exhibition opening: The Strelley Mob
Courthouse Gallery
In 1946, Aboriginal pastoral workers from across the north-west of Australia went on strike. They never went back to work on stations, instead running their own mining camps and gathering pearl shell to support themselves. This exhibition looks back at this history, and the longer history of life in the bush, through drawings, paintings and animations made by the strikers, their descendants and supporters.
This tour is made possible through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost with funding managed by WA Government and delivered by ART ON THE MOVE.
Buses will be available to take guests to the Courthouse Gallery.
Friday 31 October
Spinifex Hill Project Space
9am | Copyright Agency, Indigenous Art Code & Funders
Spinifex Hill Project Space
9am | Copyright Agency
Presenter: Arlette Martin, Visual Arts Business Development Manager
9:30am | Indigenous Art Code
Presenter: Jo-Anne Driessen, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement and Artist Membership Coordinator
10am | Federal, State & Regional Funding Bodies
Presenters: Representatives from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program (IVAIS), WA’s Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS, previously DLGSC) and Regional Arts WA
11am | Morning tea
Enjoy a complimentary morning tea at Spinifex Hill Project Space.
11:25am | Bus to TAFE
Buses will be departing from Spinifex Hill to take guests to North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra).*
*If you are attending Workshop B: Artwork & product photography OR Workshop D: Foundational gallery skills, please remain at Spinifex Hill.
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra) / Spinifex Hill Studio and Project Space*
11:45am–4:30pm | Workshops
Choose your session
Your choice of workshops covering fundraising, photography, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and gallery skills.
Workshop A: Fundraising for art centres
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
Discover how to diversify your art centre’s income by tapping into private sector support. Understand the differences between sponsorship and philanthropy, key national and state trends, fundraising theory and the revenue options available.
Share your own fundraising challenges and workshop fresh actions and strategies to tackle your specific situation. Learn how to leverage your SAM (Stories Art Money) contact database, how to build relationships and foster both lasting and time-critical support.
For: Art centre managers & board members
Facilitator: James Boyd, WA State Manager Development & Partnerships, Creative Australia
Workshop B: Artwork & product photography
Spinifex Hill Studio
Gain experience and confidence in photographing artwork, merchandise and products. This hands-on workshop will set you up to produce high quality images to be used in cataloguing, marketing, reproduction and online sales.
For: Art centre staff, independent artists
What to bring:
When registering for the forum, please let us know if you need AACHWA to provide any of the below items.
- Laptop (with photo editing software)
- DSLR camera and/or iPad
- Colour checker passport
Workshop C: Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property (ICIP)
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
Join an in-depth conversation on protecting Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property, including knowledge, songlines, language, symbols and art. This practical workshop will examine some common scenarios, allowing participants to better understand what to consider, ask for or negotiate in relation to ICIP.
For: Art centre managers, staff & artists, and independent artists
Facilitator: Emhran Tjapanangka Sultan (Western Arrarnta/Luritja/Kokatha), Co-founder & Cultural Consultant, Solid Lines
Workshop D: Foundational gallery skills
Spinifex Hill Project Space
Learn essential skills for working in gallery environments, including how to safely handle and pack artworks and undertake condition reporting to a professional standard. This foundational workshop is ideal for entry-level arts workers, while also offering experienced participants the chance to refresh and refine their skills.
For: Art centre managers and staff, independent artists
Facilitator: Kelly Cleary, Capacity Building Manager and Andrea Tenger, Manager Learning & Engagement, Art on the Move
11:45am–5pm | Drop-in consultations: Copyright Agency
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
These one-on-one sessions are available on a drop-in basis for anyone looking to gain advice and guidance on copyright matters.
Facilitator: Arlette Martin, Visual Arts Business Development Manager, Copyright Agency
12:30pm | Lunch
Enjoy a complimentary lunch at your workshop venue.
3pm | Afternoon tea
Enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea at your workshop venue.
4:30pm | End
Saturday 1 November
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra) / Spinifex Hill Studio*
9am | Arrival
9:30am–4:30pm | Workshops
Choose your session
Your choice of workshops covering studio skills, SAM (Stories Art Money) database, business models, and governance and financial planning.
*Please note, only Workshop A: Practical studio skills will be at Spinifex Hill Studio. All other workshops and will be at TAFE.
Workshop A: Practical studio skills
Spinifex Hill Studio
Develop your studio skills and learn industry standards in this practical workshop. Gain fundamental experience in canvas stretching, priming and colour mixing to strengthen artistic practices and studio management.
For: Art centre managers and staff, independent artists
Facilitators: Jacky Cheng & Katelyn Whitehurst (Menang/Wardandi Noongar)
Workshop B: Training in (the new) SAM
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
Designed for art centre managers and arts workers familiar with the SAM (Stories Art Money) artwork management platform, this workshop will walk you through the new 2025 SAM interface.
You’ll look at the importance of provenance (origin), different ways to collect stories and add/update content in SAM. Learn how to catalogue and add products, print labels and make sales using the barcode scanner. There’ll be a focus on how to use SAM to its full potential and make efficiencies for your art centre, including connecting SAM to your website and contact database, and digital labelling options.
SAM (Stories Art Money) platform is an online artwork management system that Desart developed for art centres. SAM is the administrative tool that art centre workers use every day: to catalogue and label art works, document their provenance, do sales and consignment transactions, issue certificates of authenticity and artist biographies, control the art centre’s stock and facilitate online purchases.
For: Art centre managers and staff familiar with SAM
Facilitator: Jane Chambers, Digital Labelling Project Coordinator, Desart & SAM
What to bring:
When registering for the forum, please let us know if you need AACHWA to provide any of the below items. We highly recommend bringing your own laptop if possible.
- Laptop
- Headphones
Workshop C: Understanding your art centre’s business model
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
This practical session supports art centre managers and board members to understand the crucial elements of a business model and how they work together for your art centre to thrive.
Learn how to identify and unpack these essential elements – from core business activities, Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and customer segments to enablers (what help or resources would make a difference to your business), decision-making structures, resources (people, systems or tools), partnerships, and financial models and investments.
For: Art centre managers, staff & board members, emerging art centres
Facilitator: Joel Prince, Enterprise Development Specialist, Impact Seed
Workshop D: Two-way governance & financial planning for boards
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
Explore the principles and practices of Indigenous governance, with a focus on two-way governance – balancing cultural accountability to community with compliance in the broader governance and financial landscape.
The workshop will also cover the foundations of financial literacy, building your confidence in understanding the financial roles, responsibilities and key reporting concepts that are central to any governance role.
For: Art centre managers & board members
Facilitator: Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI)
12:30pm | Lunch
Enjoy a complimentary lunch at your workshop venue.
3pm | Afternoon tea
Enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea at your workshop venue.
4:30pm | End
Sunday 2 November
Spinifex Hill Project Space
1:30pm–4:30pm | Showcasing our art centres
Hear from art centres and artists about exciting new programs and developments taking place in communities.
These afternoon conversations will hear from people across the state sharing their work, projects and stories, as we celebrate community, culture and intergenerational knowledge.
5pm–7:30pm | Spinifex sundowner
Spinifex Hill Project Space, Courtyard & Project Space
Celebrate a week of conversations and knowledge sharing as we welcome the WA Aboriginal art centre and Hedland communities for an evening of local live music, art and food.
Booking your trip
Travel & accommodation offers
As part of Our Business 2025, we’re offering travel subsidies and limited free accommodation (for AACHWA members-only), plus a significant accommodation discount available for all guests who register by the September deadline.
Book your tickets
If you have any questions, get in touch with our team at ourbusiness@aachwa.com.au or (08) 9200 6248.
Please view the Terms & Conditions for registering and attending Our Business 2025.
Venues & accommodation
Hosting art centre
Spinifex Hill Studio
Spinifex Hill Project Space is located at Spinifex Hill Studio.
(08) 9172 1699
mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
spinifexhillstudio.com.au
18 Hedditch St
South Hedland
WA 6722
Other venues
Courthouse Gallery
(08) 9141 0041
hello@thejunctionco.com.au
courthousegallery.com.au
16 Edgar St
Port Hedland
WA 6721
Gateway Village
Lot 901 Nimingarra Ct
South Hedland
WA 6722
North Regional TAFE (Pundulmurra)
1300 996 573
info@nrtafe.wa.edu.au
northregionaltafe.wa.edu.au
18 Parker Street
South Hedland
WA 6722
Presenters & facilitators
Art on the Move
Art on the Move is the only Western Australian organisation dedicated to touring visual art exhibitions throughout the regions, interstate and beyond. In addition to their touring exhibitions and engagement programs, they support the sector through advocacy, capacity building and opportunities for creative and professional development.
Andrea Tenger, Learning & Engagement Manager
Andrea Tenger is a visual artist, creative producer, and teaching artist with a background in community arts and cultural development, disability arts and creative learning. With experience across Australia, England and the United States, Andrea creates inclusive, collaborative programs that spark imagination, inspire curiosity, and demonstrate the transformative potential of art to ignite conversations, build empathy and drive social change.
Kelly Cleary, Capacity Building Manager
Kelly Cleary is an arts practitioner and creative producer with experience working in collections, exhibition coordination, curating, education and performing arts. With a background in theatre, art history, cultural heritage and museum studies. Kelly is passionate about connecting with regional communities and exchanging knowledge, contributing to the arts sector together.
Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
The Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) is an internationally acknowledged centre for governance knowledge and excellence. They deliver training and resources to meet the self-determined governance needs of Indigenous Australians.
Copyright Agency
The Copyright Agency is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that has been standing up for creators for 50 years. They serve and connect creators and users by providing licences and solutions that deliver fair compensation and support the evolving needs of users.
Creative Australia
Creative Australia is the Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body. They invest in creative people and organisations and help build audiences and markets for Australian creative work, both in Australia and internationally.
James Boyd, WA State Manager Development & Partnerships
James Boyd is the State Manager Development and Partnerships, WA, Creative Australia; a graduate of the Executive Program for Non-profit Leaders in the Arts, Stanford University, USA; has a Graduate Certificate of Social Impact from UWA; and a BA Arts Management from WAAPA. He has spent the past two decades working for the Commonwealth Government across the arts and cultural sector, philanthropy and business to encourage innovative cross-sector engagement through strategic partnerships, sponsorship and philanthropy. James has mentored and coached over 250 arts companies in WA and SA on strategic sustainability and fundraising.
Desart
Desart is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centres. Established in 1992, incorporated in 1993, they now have 39 independently governed Aboriginal art and craft centre members, representing over 8,000 artists. Desart is governed by a 10-member Aboriginal executive committee elected from the membership regions and currently employ 7 staff, servicing a membership area of 1.221 million square kilometres.
Jane Chambers, Digital Labelling Project Coordinator
Jane Chambers has worked with Desart as the Digital Labelling Project Coordinator since 2023. In this role she has helped Art centres nationally improve and extend their use of SAM platform and has contributed to the SAM rebuild. Prior to this she was the Revealed Exhibition Coordinator at the Fremantle Arts Centre. Jane has extensive experience working for arts and cultural institutions. With a background in design and a passion for art, she brings a wealth of knowledge in art, product design, marketing and project management to the role. Jane has a BA Communications Design (QUT) and Post Grad Cert in Arts & Cultural Management (Deakin University).
Jacky Cheng, artist & facilitator
Jacky Cheng was born in Malaysia of Chinese heritage and currently resides in Yawuru Country, Broome in Western Australia. She received her Bachelor of Architecture (Honours 1) from University of New South Wales, Sydney and is currently a practicing artist, a facilitator and an arts educator. Jacky’s practice is fundamentally about identity and awareness through cultural activities and memories of home, country and relationships. In 2024, Jacky was selected as a ‘lead artist/ for the 2024 Indian Ocean Craft Triennial with her immersive installation The Rite of Divination at Fremantle Art Centre.
Katelyn Whitehurst, artist & facilitator
Katelyn Whitehurst is a Wardandi, Menang Noongar woman through her Father’s Mother. She was born on Wardandi Noongar Boodja in Bunbury, WA. Katelyn’s artwork often represents the importance of language in Aboriginal culture and the strength of family connection. Her practice encompasses all mediums and forms. Inspired by her culture and Country, she describes herself as a storyteller with her artwork exploring expression and feeling, using bold colours, abstracted forms and installations of household objects to convey her ideas.
Impact Seed
Impact Seed is a Perth based social enterprise catalysing business and investment to support communities, environment and culture to thrive, sustainably.
Joel Prince, Enterprise Development Specialist
Joel Prince has spent over 15 years working in social enterprise development and uses a strong blend of commercial knowledge, regional experience and social impact expertise to help for-purpose organisations build sustainable and impactful business models.
Solid Lines
Solid Lines is a First Nations–led illustration agency fuelled by a constant connection to identity, culture and country.
Emrhan Tjapanangka Sultan, Co-founder & Cultural Consultant
Emrhan Tjapanangka Sultan, an artist from the Western Arrarnta, Luritja, and Kokatha peoples, was born and raised in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). He started painting traditional Desert art from a young age, guided by his family of artists. Tjapanangka is unique because he mixes old and new art styles, using digital designs and new colours, as well as hand painting on canvas.
In 2022, he co-founded Solid Lines, an agency for First Nations illustrators. The following year, Solid Lines won the top Indigenous Design Award at the Good Design Awards.
Spinifex Hill Studio
Spinifex Hill Studio stands on Kariyarra Country in the Pilbara region of WA. They are home to one of the youngest Aboriginal art collectives in the north-west of Australia, the Spinifex Hill Artists.
Rekeshia Goodwin, artist & facilitator
Rekeshia Goodwin is an artist represented by Spinifex Hill Studio.
“My grandmother’s side is from Carnarvon and my grandfather’s side is from Meekatharra. My mum was born in Dampier and grew up all over the Pilbara. While she was pregnant with me, she was living in Nullagine at the time, she got to meet amazing elders that helped her while she was there. My mum had me in Port Hedland but she returned to Nullagine for a little while I was a toddler but then she decided to come back to Hedland. My other grandfather taught me to use bright colours and to make my paintings my own style, I am honoured to be able to carry on my family name and show the love and passion my family has when it comes to painting and sharing our stories in our own way.”
Ruby Alderton, artist & facilitator
Ruby Alderton is a Yolngu woman and artist from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land who has worked with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre as a printmaker and arts worker, and Artback NT. She now lives at South Hedland, WA and works at Spinifex Hill Studio.
“What I create is both old and new stories using traditional and non-traditional mediums. I only paint the Rirratjingu clan designs, which is my mother’s clan and the designs and stories that I inherited.”
Book your trip
If you have any questions, get in touch with our team at ourbusiness@aachwa.com.au or (08) 9200 6248.
Please view the Terms & Conditions for registering and attending Our Business 2025.
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