Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin to take up key curatorial role at the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre

Award-winning creative Indigenous cultural arts leader, Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin, will take up a newly created role to drive the planning, programming and curation for the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre, it was announced today.

On 30 August, Miss Buckskin will take the helm as Assistant Director, Program and Strategy and will work closely with collecting institutions, internal and external stakeholders, while curating a vision, strategy and implementation plan for the Centre starting construction later this year.

Miss Buckskin is a Narungga, Kaurna, Wirangu, Wotjobaluk woman who has won several major awards for her work. She is highly regarded throughout Australian and internationally.

Throughout her career, Miss Buckskin has worked in advisory roles for national and international TV and feature films including working as a First Nations Consultant on the series The Leftovers, Storm Boy and Creative Producer and a mentor on Coming Home: A Film Honoring Aboriginal Diggers.

Closer to home, she has been at the forefront of developing and delivering strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, education and cultural programs for public audiences in Australia.

She was the appointed Deputy Chair of the Australia Council for the Arts and has worked across major events and festivals including Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and Brisbane Festival of Arts.

Premier Steven Marshall was very pleased to welcome Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin to the growing team.

“Bringing on Miss Buckskin signifies a pivotal milestone in the continuing progress of the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre, a major cultural tourist attractor and landmark centre for South Australia.

“From project inception, representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been at the core of the project and will continue to be so under Miss Buckskin’s Leadership.”

The Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre plans will offer an immersive cultural experience combining traditional storytelling with modern technology.

The landmark building will include spaces for permanent and visiting gallery exhibitions, cultural performances, meetings and ceremonies, gatherings and events, and include a café and retail space.

Media Contact: Eleisa Hancock 0433 950 083

Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin said that she is thrilled to be chosen to be part of a dynamic team who will lead the programming and curatorial related development of the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre.

“I look forward to developing a vision for our communities and international visitors to engage, learn, explore and connect with the history, art and contemporary culture of Australia’s First Peoples.

“My role will draw upon a wealth of local knowledge and experience which will inform the programs curated in the space.

“The collaborative approach is embedded in Indigenous cultural practice and represents a millennium of trial and error, testing and listening to the bonds of people and landscape.”

David Rathman, ambassador for the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre and Chair of the AACC’s Aboriginal Reference Group says, “we welcome Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin to the team and look forward to seeing her curatorial vision for the Centre unfold.”