Kaiela Arts

Kanny-goopna/Shepparton

Located on Yorta Yorta lands in Shepparton, Kaiela Arts holds space in the local community as an important place for connection to culture, Country, identity, stories and history through the arts. One of only several Aboriginal art centres in the state, Kaiela Arts is a strong contributor to Victoria’s cultural story and creative industries, embedding First Nations arts and culture, facilitating platforms to tell stories, express culture and create art in ways that advance self-determination, well-being and prosperity of First Peoples.

Kaiela Arts supports truth-telling and safeguarding of cultural practices and is committed to building awareness of the diversity of First Nations cultures, promoting south-east Australian styles of Aboriginal art. Situated on the ground floor of the Shepparton Art Museum, the art centre provides a studio, materials and equipment for over 40 Aboriginal artist members who create work across ceramics, painting, drawing, weaving and screen-printing. Artists sell and present their work in the art centre’s hybrid gallery retail space, also an important point of connection for the broader community to engage with First Nations art, stories and knowledge.

As well as supporting the creation and presentation of art, Kaiela Arts facilitates a range of cross-generational strategic initiatives, partnerships and community arts programs designed to strengthen the collective, build connection to country, and deepen and expand creative practices, through collaboration and cultural immersion.