Leading Arts Training Organisations Come Together in Cultural and Creative Collaboration

In an intensive week-long collaborative program, NAISDA and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) have came together to explore creative and cultural partnership, cross-cultural storytelling and multidisciplinary approaches to performance.

First held in 2019, the collaboration brings NAISDA and NIDA aspiring dancers, designers, directors and choreographers together at NAISDA’s Central Coast campus on Darkinjung Land, for a unique opportunity to engage in cultural and creative learning.

This year’s program is led and facilitated by Wakka Wakka and Kombumerri dancer and choreographer Katina Olsen, with leading First Nations artists and contributors, including Dr Nerida Blair, Kevin Duncan, Stuart McMinn, Jacob Nash, Berthalia Selina Reuben and Ryan Whitworth, all introducing and developing important cultural and creative conversations.

Introductory Smoking Ceremony with Uncle ‘Gavi’ Duncan.

Through these conversations, students explore the space in between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowings and non-Indigenous perspectives, to embrace cross-cultural arts practice and making.

Olsen emphasised the significance of collaboration in fostering future relationships among emerging artists from the two organisations, who together will shape Australia’s creative and cultural landscape.

'We begin by getting to know each other, working out how we relate to each other, how we bring our skills to the room, and most importantly, how to give, take and share space,' she said.

Olsen continued, 'This is a truly unique experience and program that provides students with a valuable opportunity to explore and navigate cultural practice, Indigenous Knowings, and provides a collective platform to share stories, create work and develop networks.'

Weaving yarning circle held by NAISDA graduates Aroha Pehi and Amy Flannery.

The collaboration is an important and established part of the NAISDA and NIDA programming, creating a vital space for artistic exchange and growth. NAISDA Unit Manager Angie Diaz highlighted the week’s significance.

'This ongoing opportunity for NAISDA and NIDA students builds culturally safe creative spaces enabling our young people to embrace storying and creating through connection with Country,' concluded Diaz.

'This is a very generous, playful and open-ended invitation to listen and share knowledge and creative practices to build connection; the experience and discoveries will resonate far into the future,' said Bob Cousins, NIDA's Design for Performance Course Leader.

The intensive collaboration culminated in a final showing of works performed and presented by NAISDA and NIDA students.