APY Artists and Art centres
More than 460 artists work in seven Aboriginal-owned and governed art centres on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the far north-west of South Australia. Community art centres are 100% artist-owned cooperatives which not only make great authentic art but also deliver a range of programs for community health and wellbeing. These organisations are transparent and accountable. They are governed by Aboriginal boards elected by the members. All artists’ income is paid into the artists’ account and the artists themselves decide the expenditure, both as individuals and at an organisational level. Aboriginal-owned art centres ensure that the wealth of talent and economic returns stay in the community for the benefit of artists and their families.
APY art centres provide services to artists from all communities and homelands, from west to east:
Ninuku Artists - Kalka, Pipalyatjara and surrounding homelands
Tjungu Palya - Nyapari, Kanypi,Watarru and Angatja
Tjala Arts - Amata, Rocket Bore and surrounding homelands
Ernabella Arts - Ernabella (Pukatja) and surrounding homelands
Kaltjiti Arts and Crafts - Fregon (Kaltjiti) and surrounding homelands
Mimili Maku - Mimili and homelands around Mimili
Iwantja Arts and Crafts - Iwantja (Indulkana) and surrounding homelands
banner: Kaltjiti Arts; Landscape; Nellie Stewart; Ruby Williamson; all photographs by Iain Morton