Aboriginal
Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) is committed to supporting Aboriginal cultural centres and the broader Aboriginal arts, culture, and heritage sector across New South Wales. Through, partnership programs, exhibition touring, funding support and advocacy, we aim to work alongside Aboriginal communities to strengthen cultural practice, promote self-determination, and ensure that Aboriginal stories, knowledge, and leadership are recognised and respected within the wider museum and gallery sector. Much of this work is captured in M&G NSW’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association
The Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association Inc (ACHAA) was established to support Aboriginal-owned cultural venues across New South Wales. Initiated with facilitation by M&G NSW, ACHAA grew from a key recommendation of the 2011 summit Keeping Places & Beyond: Building Cultural Futures in NSW, organised by M&G NSW and strongly endorsed through community consultation.
Formed by and for NSW Aboriginal cultural venues, ACHAA exists to:
- Create a sustainable and resilient network of NSW Aboriginal culture, heritage & arts organisations.
- Provide and facilitate training and development for those who work and volunteer in the NSW Aboriginal culture, heritage and arts place based sector.
- Promote the value of NSW Aboriginal culture, heritage and arts and artists to the broader arts, heritage and culture sector and wider community.
- Engage with all levels of government and non-government organisations for the support and promotion of NSW Aboriginal culture, heritage and arts.
In late 2023, ACHAA transitioned into an independent peak body, marking a major milestone in its development. This independence is the result of many years of dedicated work, ensuring ACHAA is well positioned to represent its growing network of 21 Aboriginal cultural centre members and 23 Associate Members across the state.
M&G NSW extends deep gratitude to Steve Miller for his unwavering dedication to the success of ACHAA where he played a vital role shaping its direction and advocating for Aboriginal cultural leadership. Since 2007, Steve served as the Aboriginal Programs Manager at M&G NSW from 2007 to 2023, where he worked to support the aspirations of Aboriginal communities across the sector and helped embed Aboriginal perspectives across the organisation’s work.
With the transition of ACHAA to an independent Aboriginal-led peak body, M&G NSW and ACHAA have entered into a formal agreement acknowledging our organisations shared commitment to advancing the cultural needs of communities across NSW. This agreement details levels of service each agency can bring to amplify the work of the other.
achaa.com.au
hello@achaa.com.au
ACHAA on facebook
instagram.com/achaansw/
Reconciliation
Reconciliation Action Plan
RAP stands for Reconciliation Action Plan. It’s an initiative of Reconciliation Australia.
Reconciliation Australia’s “vision is for an Australia that recognises and respects the special place, culture, rights and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and where good relationships between First Australians and other Australians become the foundation for local strength and success; and the enhancement of our national wellbeing.”
So what’s in a RAP?
RAP is a plan – its a way of turning good intentions into actions. Every RAP is specific to each organisation and outlines the practical actions the organisation will take to build strong relationships and enhanced respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
RAP On-line hub
There’s a bunch of fantastic resources to be found on the on-line hub and a step-by-step outline of how to get started. You can also read some of the inspirational success stories.
View Museums & Galleries of NSW – Reconciliation Action Plan
Museums & Galleries of NSW is a member of the Indigenous Art Code.
