Meet NAS’s Head of First Peoples Programs

Meet NAS’s Head of First Peoples Programs

NAS is very happy to welcome to John Waight, our new Head of First Peoples Programs who starts on 21 February, 2022. John is from the Mangarayi people whose country is just outside Katherine. He has worked as Curator and Liaison Officer at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney and in Darwin was Manager of the Maningrida Arts and Culture Shop, and Curator of Aboriginal Art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, where he delivered the 29th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award.

Most recently he was Artists in the Black Coordinator at the Arts Law Centre of Australia, and completed his Masters of Curation and Cultural Leadership at UNSW. John also sits on a number of cultural boards and committees, including Artback NT, Create NSW MultiArts, MAAS Indigenous Reference Committee, and the Sydney Culture Network.

As Head of First Peoples Programs at NAS, John will lead the development and coordination of First Peoples academic, community and public programs, policies and curricula. The role provides important leadership for First Peoples engagement and public advocacy at NAS, including the development of courses, student welfare and professional practice.

John will ensure First Peoples academic teachings and protocols are in place across the campus and in the public domain, working closely with Georgia Mokak, First Peoples Program Coordinator at NAS, the Executive Leadership Team, and academic and professional staff.

NAS Director and CEO Steven Alderton said, “I am very pleased to welcome John and look forward to his leadership as we build significant First Peoples programs at NAS.”

The appointment of the National Art School’s Head of First Peoples Program has been made possible through the generous support of the Oranges & Sardines Foundation.

Photo: Peter Morgan

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Don’t miss out on your chance to bid on an artwork at the NAS Gala! Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the treasures of the National Art School, our artists.

Announcing a thrilling line up of artists contributing artworks to our live and silent auction. This is your opportunity to add a special piece of art by a celebrated NAS artist to your collection.

Ann Thomson
Bernard Ollis OAM
Reg Mombassa
Eliza Gosse
Euan Macleod
Gene A'Hern
Guido Maestri
Guy Warren AM
Joan Ross
Juz Kitson
Mitch Cairns
Rosemary Lee
Wendy Sharpe AM FRSN
Zoe Young
More to come…

NAS Gala | National Treasures
Art Auction and Cocktail Party
Friday 21 November, 6.00pm – 11.30pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Purchase tickets at the link in bio.
Join us for the closing party for The Neighbour at the Gate – 'Afterglow', headlined by Miss Kaninna, and featuring performances by HYLANDER, Rocky Stallone, BRINA, Kuya Hennessy and DJ Court Jester. This free, 18+ concert will be a night to remember! 

Thursday 16 October 2025 
4.30pm – 10pm 
Cell Block Theatre 

RSVP at the link in bio. 

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Karatsu ceramicist Yukiko Tsuchiya (@tsuchiyayukiko) and curator Kathryn Hunyor (@artspeople_au) delivered two very special workshops in the teaching studios of the Ceramics Department at the National Art School (NAS), in an exciting collaboration between The Japan Foundation (@jpfsydney), Sydney, the NAS Ceramics Department and the National Art School.

Peek inside the wheel-throwing and hand-coiling masterclasses that took place.
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