Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
Brisbane City Council has a variety of programs which acknowledge and value the unique contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to the city. These programs aim to support First Nations People and work with their communities.
Featured
Indigenous art program
An annual, city-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art program celebrated through visual art showcase and discussion. Featuring emerging to established artists.
Gathering
Gathering showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances in the Queen Street Mall. Unique to Brisbane, it is the only Indigenous performance in Australia that is featured weekly in the heart of a major capital city.
Black Diamonds Program
The Black Diamonds Program provides free or low-cost activities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Brisbane, with a focus on young people.
Quick links
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs in action
Boomerang throwing and painting workshop with Picambul man, Rick Roser at the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre
Council hosts a range of hands-on events for all ages celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures including children’s workshops, cooking classes and food trails. Here, children are learning about Aboriginal culture with Rick Roser while they paint and throw their very own boomerang at the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre.
Artwork by Brisbane-based Aboriginal artists Rachael Sarra and Casey Coolwell feature on four buses travelling throughout the city
To celebrate NAIDOC Week and Black History Month in 2019, four city buses were wrapped in artwork by local Aboriginal artists Rachael Sarra (Two Worlds and Distinguish) and Casey Coolwell (Dreaming and Connections). The bus designs aim to increase pride and foster an innovative and creative community. The buses can be seen on different routes throughout the city.
Creation Pathways (2019) by Riki Salam projected on to the William Jolly Bridge as part of the 2019 Indigenous Art Program
Council’s Indigenous Art Program is an annual event that transforms Brisbane’s streets and laneways into an exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks in various places and spaces across the city, including large-scale banners, light boxes, vitrines and projections.
Enjoying storytime at the library as part of Black History Month celebrations
Launching in 2008, Black History Month runs throughout July each year and is a showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, heritage and cultures which acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements and contributions. It features a range of Council and community-organised events and activities such as family fun days, children’s storytime, dance, garden tours, augmented reality experiences, movie screenings, art exhibitions and more.
Story Bridge lit-up in blue, white and green in celebration of Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture during NAIDOC Week
Each year, Council assets including the Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge, Tropical Display Dome in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and the sculptures in Reddacliff Place are lit-up in black, yellow and red, and blue, white and green representing the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in recognition of the importance of dates of significance such as National Sorry Day, Mabo Day and NAIDOC Week for Brisbane’s communities.
Learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the stories behind their artwork on guided tours through Brisbane’s laneways
During Council’s annual Indigenous Art Program exhibition, residents and visitors can join guided tours to learn more about our city’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the stories that inspire their work like this piece titled You Can Go Now (2021) by Richard Bell.
Binkin, the Yagara word for freshwater turtle, along the Nurri Millen Totem Trail at the Boondall Wetlands
In 1996, nationally renowned Indigenous artist, the late Ron Hurley, worked with six local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to study and research the Indigenous culture of the Boondall Wetlands. Together, they developed and reinforced their cultural identity by creating a series of 18 contemporary totems symbolising various aspects of their culture. The Nurri Millen Totem Trail forms part of Council's public art collection.
Featured events
Fri 27 May 2022, 12:00pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents OUTstanding Artist Talk featuring Mia Boe. OUTstanding Artist Talks are a unique opportunity to...
Mon 30 May 2022, 12:00pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents OUTstanding Indigenous Art Walking Tours. Join curators of the Indigenous Art Program to learn...
Tue 31 May 2022, 9:30am
Free
Indigenous Art Program presents OUTstanding Accessibility Day. Join artists and curators of the 2022 Indigenous Art Program, OUTstanding, for an accessibility...
Tue 31 May 2022, 5:30pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents Paint and Sip with Boneta-Marie Mabo. Known for bringing good vibes to local 'Brushes and Beats'...
Wed 1 Jun 2022, 12:00pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents OUTstanding Indigenous Art Walking Tours. Join curators of the Indigenous Art Program to learn...
Wed 1 Jun 2022, 12:00pm
Gathering presents Nightshift The Nightshift' is a live trio band made up of professional musicians led by one of Cairns most in demand musicians who are also...
Thu 2 Jun 2022, 12:00pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents OUTstanding Indigenous Art Walking Tours. Join curators of the Indigenous Art Program to learn...
Fri 3 Jun 2022, 6:00pm
Free
Brisbane City Council's Indigenous Art Program 2022 presents OUTstanding Indigenous Art Walking Tours. Join curators of the Indigenous Art Program to see...
Wed 8 Jun 2022, 12:00pm
Gathering presents Tjaka Tjaka fuse modern technology with ancient sounds to create a contemporary Indigenous experience like no other. Tjaka draws inspiration...