Remote Aboriginal Art Centres are facing unique challenges to keep their artists and arts worker safe. Image: Mornington Island Art Centre (MIART) artist Dorothy Gabori in front of one of her works. Image courtesy MIART.
Fiona Hamilton is the Manager of Cairns-based Aboriginal Art Centre peak body IACA (Indigenous Art Centre Alliance), which supports 14 remote art centres across Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands.
She says the current COVID situation for these art centres is extremely worrying.
‘We are deeply concerned,’ Hamilton told ArtsHub. ‘Art Centres are being badly affected by this [Omicron], and it’s showing up a complete failure of both the Commonwealth and State Governments in terms of preparedness,’ she explained.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
