Organisation

At the heart of the Australian continent, in the far north-west of South Australia, is a people who have been living in harmony with the land and celebrating life through traditional customs for millennia. Such depth of knowledge and connection with the natural world is now expressed through stunning contemporary art practice.

The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (a region roughly the size of Ireland) have a population of around 3,000 people, many of whom are artists and craftspeople. The region’s art is unique in its cultural content, its design and its deep resonance with a landscape that varies from rich red sands and sweeping bushlands to the majestic Musgrave and Everard Ranges.

Ananguku Arts is the regional peak body formed by the artists in 1997 to foster the growth of arts practice in the seven art centres and in the many homeland craftrooms that make this region an important producer of authentic, innovative and truly engaging Indigenous visual art. Ananguku Arts also strongly supports traditional culture in all forms including performing arts.Ananguku provides support in many diverse ways including: facilitating meetings; sourcing funding for arts practice workshops; and advocating on behalf of the artists and art centres to government and industry.

All art centres in the Lands are owned and governed by the artists and the proceeds of art sales are returned to the artists and their art centres.

Governance

The Corporation is governed by elected representatives of the communities and homelands of the region and – through the improvement of working, creative and sales resources and practices – works towards the prosperity and wellbeing of artists.

Ananguku Arts holds general meetings of its members 3-4 times each year. The meetings are held in varying locations and attract attendances from across the 600km span of the Lands. Meetings are generally two-day events with a range of presentations and discussions.

The Executive Committee – its board of management – meets at least three times a year to consider financial and staff reports.

Executive:

Chairperson: Marita Baker (Fregon) Deputy Chairperson: David Miller (Kanpi) Treasurer: Kanytjupai Robin (Fregon) Executive Members: Paniny Mick and Hector Burton (Amata) Mary Brumby and Tunga Tjanyari (Indulkana) Teddy Edwards and Lorraine Edwards (Mimili) Stanley Young and Josephine Mick (Kalka and Pipalyatjara) Aunyupa Stevens, Kaye Baker and Joanne Ken (Nyapari and Kanpi)

Staff: