First Peoples
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In 2024, the NAS First Peoples Centre Darani Ngalawada was established. In Gadigal language Darani Ngalawada loosely translates to Under the White Gum Trees We Remain, and this title encapsulates both deep historical connection of Gadigal people to this site and the continuing history of First Peoples engagement and success at NAS.
The Darani Ngalawada name was identified through an inclusive roundtable process with NAS students, staff and local community. The Centre plays a crucial role in the development of culturally inclusive policy and procedure at NAS with particular focus on the inclusion of First Peoples knowledge, perspectives and practices throughout the school’s curriculum and academic operations for the benefit of all NAS staff and students. The centre plays a crucial role in enabling engagement and success at NAS by providing mentorship and learning support and outcomes to students to establish pathways to their professional futures.
Vision
Darani Ngalawada also plays a crucial role in the development of culturally inclusive policy and procedure at NAS. This includes a focus on the inclusion of Australia’s First Peoples knowledge, perspectives and practices throughout the school’s curriculum and academic operations for the benefit of all NAS staff and students.
“I’d like to ensure that students always feel supported and heard, and have a strong sense of self-determination as First Nations artists in this country. This in part means encouraging wider and deeper understandings of Indigenous peoples and the history of this country through NAS’s teachings and broader program, while continuing to provide and extend tutoring/mentoring programs, resources about ICIP (Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property) and copyright education, grant writing support and professional development opportunities.”
John Waight
Head of First Peoples Program
Isabella Kennedy
First Peoples Programs Officer and NAS alum
Indigenous Art Code
The National Art School is a Code Signatory Member of Indigenous Art Code Signatory. This means we are committed to the Code of Conduct for fair, transparent and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists.
As a Code Signatory, we must act fairly, honestly, professionally and transparently in all direct or indirect dealings with artists and their artwork, including our students.
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Acknowledgment of Country
The National Art School acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners on whose Country we meet, share and create. We pay our respects to all Gadigal Elders past and present. We celebrate the diversity, history, knowledge and creativity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.