Mid West Indigenous Arts Industry Strategy

Proponents: Mid West Development Commission

Value: Stage 1 $25,000 Stage 2 $30,000

Location: Mid West Region

Description: The Mid West Indigenous Arts Industry Strategy is an assessment of the industry’s current status with a plan of short and long-term goals. The strategy also includes a vision of what the MWIAI could be in 10-20 years with a strategic development plan to realise this vision.

Status: Recognised Arts Consultant - Tim Pearn was appointed to compile the document. Mr Pearn has nine years experience working in Indigenous arts development, including working with Noongar artists in the Wheatbelt, and Pintupi, Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra artists in the Western Deserts.

Initial workshops have been held with the first on the 1^st November 2007 with delegates from all levels of government, Indigenous artists, Marra Aboriginal Art Gallery committee members and other groups associated with the art industry. A second workshop was held at Mt Magnet on the 3^rd April 2008 with 35 delegates attending.

One of many recommendations contained within the MWIAI report was to break the region into three sub regions with each hosting a fully functioning Art Centre. This was accepted by delegates attending each of the initial workshops. Steering committees have been set up in Geraldton and Mt Magnet to cover the North Midlands/coastal and Upper Murchison sub-regions respectively.

Next Steps: As part of Stage 1 of the MWIAI report Marra Aboriginal Art Gallery in Geraldton has taken up the challenge to re-model itself and develop membership in the locations of Northampton, Mullewa, Morawa and Pia Wadjarri.

Stage 2: MWDC is currently seeking the services of an Arts Development consultant to work with the Mt Magnet steering committees to action the development of the Upper Murchison Indigenous Art Centre concept as recommended by the MWIAI report.

The Upper Murchison steering committee comprises members from Mt Magnet Meekatharra, Cue, Sandstone and Yalgoo to develop the Indigenous Art Centre concept as outlined in the MWIAI report.  

Mid West Development Commission contact: Aboriginal Economic Development Officer Wayne McDonald - 9921 0708


Arts Consultant Tim Pearn and MWDC Wayne McDonald.