Rio Tinto (Pilbara Iron Company)
Principal Sponsors Rio Tinto (Pilbara Iron Ore Company Ltd) support Roebourne Art Group's operations and development. A partnership agreement first signed in 2012 provides funding and support for:
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The successful operation of Roebourne Art Group as a business
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The further development of a business plan
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To raise awareness of Roebourne Art Group in the Pilbara region and beyond
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Professional development opportunities for staff
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Development of the Group's management capacity
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Effective financial management
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The employment of local indigenous people
In addition, Rio Tinto funds the annual Colours of Our Country exhibition, held in Perth, by providing materials, transport and accommodation to the artists, the fees of a professional organiser, and the use of its foyer as the exhibition space. No commission is taken from the sale of the artwork.
The inaugural Colours of our Country was held in 2006, commemorating Rio Tinto's 40th year of operations in Western Australia. Since then, more than 1,300 paintings and artefacts have been sold via the exhibitions, raising more than A$1.5 million for the artists, their art groups and communities.
Each year, the Art Gallery of Western Australia selects a piece by an indigenous artist to be gifted by Rio Tinto to the State Art Collection.
Australian Government, Ministry for the Arts
The Federal Government, through the Ministry for the Arts, funds the employment of Roebourne Art Group's indigenous manager and an indigenous arts worker as part of the Indigenous Employment Initiative (IEI) program. This enables RAG to develop indigenous people as arts centre managers and workers, consistent with the Group's commitment to self-determination.
The IEI's focus is to provide employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the arts and culture sector with mainstream employment conditions and training skills development.
These jobs provide important social and economic benefits to individuals and communities in a culturally meaningful way. Art centres such as Roebourne Art Group are a major source of income for their local communities. These jobs are directly helping to link Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to the mainstream economy and society.
IEI is also having a positive impact on the lives of employees by engendering pride in themselves, their workplaces and their culture.
Woodside Energy
Each year, Woodside Energy sponsors "Ngurra Nyingu: We Are From This Country", an exhibition of Pilbara indigenous art held in the foyer of the Woodside building in Perth.
Since 2008, almost half a million dollars worth of artworks have been sold as part of the Exhibition. No commission is taken from the sale of the artwork. All proceeds go to the artists and their art groups, which provide essential cultural and social infrastructure in the community.
The exhibition is one of Pluto LNG’s cornerstone community activities, supporting indigenous artists from the West Pilbara to share their culture, country and stories through artwork.
Pluto LNG also supports a range of programs and resources activities identified as important to the Traditional Custodians of the West Pilbara, and works alongside indigenous communities to deliver and support programs in the areas of education, training, employment, business participation, governance, community volunteering, youth, arts and community events.
Additionally, Pluto LNG is committed to protect, preserve and promote the National Heritage Listed values of the Dampier Archipelago through its Conservation Agreement with the Australian Government.
Partners, sponsors and supporters
Roebourne Art Group is privileged and fortunate to receive support from a number of valued partners. Without this, we couldn't continue our work.
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation
In May 2005, Native Title was granted to the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people. The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) was set up in June 2005 and is the Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) for Ngarluma.
NAC provided funding for a new vehicle for Roebourne Art Group, enabling the delivery of materials to artists who paint at home or on country, and of finished paintings to and from framers, galleries and other destinations.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
In 2013, Roebourne Art group began a relationship with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney which provides intensive and targeted professional development for RAG's CEO and Manager.
This has included a full week in Sydney studying at the MCA at The Rocks, and ongoing support via email and telephone on as "as needed" basis. It has enabled RAG to access the knowledge of experienced arts marketers, gallery managers, exhibition curators and sponsorship and philanthropy managers - something which a small indigenous art centre would not otherwise be able to do.
The Museum includes an entire floor dedicated to the MCA Collection; the National Centre for Creative Learning with state-of-the-art technology; public spaces that embrace one of the world’s most famous locations, and a series of site-specific artists’ commissions, and is well worth attending if in sydney. Entry is free.
Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA and Artsource
The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia supports the development and growth of WA's Aboriginal visual arts sector. Amongst the services and support provided to Roebourne Art Group are:
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Specialised training for managers, staff, governing committees, and artists
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Liaison and networking opportunities
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Communication with other member art centres
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Best practice advice
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IT support
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Marketing and promotion opportunities
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Assistance with recruitment, employment contract reviews, and staff appraisals
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Advocacy - speaking out about issues that affect its members and Aboriginal artists
Artsource works to provide quality services and advice to regional and indigenous artists to help them advance their careers. Its services include:
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Professional development
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Mentoring
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Residencies
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Consultancy services
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National artist support organisations
