Culture and storytelling has been at the heart of First Nations people’s connection to this landscape for more than 60,000 years. Arts and Culture Maribyrnong are committed to supporting and celebrating First Nations knowledge, leadership and creativity. In 2025/2026 we are partnering with Na Djinang Circus to develop and profile First Nations performing arts leaders of the future.
The First Nations Creative Exchange provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists to explore the creation of a new physical performance (dance, circus, physical theatre, parkour, puppetry, Butoh or anything that utilises the body) through research and development, and then explore their concepts in a week-long creative development guided by Na Djinang Circus. Through the program, three (3) selected First Nations artists will be provided with a fee and venue to test and advance a new idea or show concept, working directly with Artistic Custodian, Harley Mann and the Na Djinang Ensemble.
The program aims to support the creative development of future First Nations creative leaders in the performing arts, whether as directors, choreographers, designers or other creative-making roles and hopes to enable one (or more) creatives to develop a future new work with Na Djinang Circus in the following years. Specific experience in circus or physical theatre is not required – your willingness to creatively develop your performing arts practice alongside Na Djinang Circus is all that is required.
An amount of $5,000 (ex GST) can be used towards artist fees plus consultants, materials, equipment hire (such as screens, staging, projector, etc), access or other costs to facilitate the week’s creative exchange.
For program guidelines and to express your interest, visit the Maribyrnong Arts & Culture website.
Image by Jacinta Keefe, provided by Na Djinang Circus
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