Please note: Some of the content on this page was published prior to the launch of Creative Australia and references the Australia Council. Read more.

First Nations First

First Nations arts and culture make a rich contribution to the world’s culture, to Australia’s diverse contemporary culture, and to our national identity.

We proudly acknowledge all First Nations Peoples and their rich culture of the country we now call Australia. We pay respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge First Nations Peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we live.

We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of First Nations Peoples and communities to Australian life and how this continuation of 75,000 years of unbroken storytelling enriches us. We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards ensuring an equal voice and the equality of outcomes in all aspects of our society.

The value of First Nations arts activity to individuals, families and communities is significant culturally, socially and economically. We aim to help ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural expressions are a source of pride for all Australians.

We continue to build on our long term commitment to First Nations arts and culture, recognising the importance of First Nations Peoples’ self-determination, cultural authority and leadership to our collective prosperity.

First Nations First

First Nations First is pillar one of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.

First Nations First recognises and respects the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia’s arts and culture.

Since 1973 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have brought a guiding voice on matters relating to First Nations arts and culture and to the broader arts and cultural sector through Creative Australia’s (formerly the Australia Council for the Arts) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board.

We build upon the wonderful legacy of those who have come before us.

Have your say

We are calling on the First Nations arts and culture sector – artists, musicians, organisations, arts workers and creative industry practitioners.

We want to hear your insights, experiences, feedback and recommendations on how Creative Australia should set up, govern, implement, invest and deliver on its new role and responsibilities for First Nations First.

Join the conversation proper

Soon we will be sharing ways you can be part of the discussion and feedback sessions

Please register your interest to be kept up to date on the process.