Create Exchange: Self-determination in First Nations Organisations

Self-determination in First Nations Organisations: Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative

In this webinar, we discuss Self-Determination in First Nations-led arts and culture with Curator of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Kyra Kum-Sing.

Founded in 1987, Boomalli is the longest running Aboriginal owned and run arts organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting NSW language group artists.

Colin Kinchela, Policy Lead at Create NSW will host this conversation, covering Self-Determined leadership, organisational governance and arts development processes and how these enrich the experiences of Boomalli’s artists, audiences and communities.

About Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative

Boomalli is the longest running Aboriginal owned and run arts organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting NSW language group artists. The organisation operates within a lateral Co-operative structure with senior artists supporting and mentoring new and emerging artists.

Boomalli's gallery, studio and retail space is located in Leichhardt, in Sydney's Inner West, providing a safe space for our artists to exhibit, work and tell their stories through their art. 

In the languages of the Bundjalung, Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri, Boomalli means to strike; to make a mark.

About Kyra Kum-Sing

Kyra Kum-Sing is a Malera Bandjalan, Mitakoodi woman. Kyra has paved a unique and important path within the arts as both an artist and curator.

Kyra has been the curator at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative for the past four years and has curated a number of significant and acclaimed exhibitions including Boomalli’s 25th Anniversary Mardi Gras Exhibition: Original Box (2019); Warriors for the Environment (2019); inVISIBLE (2020) and Shell It (2021).

Kyra has also curated Deadly Women of Redfern at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, the July 2018 program for the MCA Art Bar, Dyarra Murama Guwing (the sun setting red), Lane Cove Gallery (2020) and Golding’s POWER at Blacktown Arts Centre (2021). Kyra is an Encounters Fellow Alumni from the National Museum of Australia.

Kyra has a diverse artistic practice which includes painting, drawing, weaving, sculpture, installations and clothing design. Kyra also works with natural hand-made pigments. She has exhibited her works at Boomalli, Lone Goat Gallery and Red Rattler Theatre.

Kyra is also a consultant for the Aboriginal site heritage and repatriation work on Bandjalan Country in Northern NSW, where she is working on revitalising the Malera Bandjalan language. Kyra has extensive experience working in services for Aboriginal people, including the Aboriginal Medical Service, Redfern; Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; and the Yabun Festival. Kyra is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights and self-determination and the Aboriginal arts and cultural sector.

Image credit: Sharon Hickey