This week, we’re heading to Taiwan with a delegation of First Nations arts and cultural leaders from across the Northern Territory.

The trip is part of a two-way cultural exchange, with the Australian delegation travelling around Taiwan from 17–24 June before welcoming a Taiwanese delegation to Garramilla / Darwin in August.

For Artback NT, this journey is the next chapter in a relationship that has been growing with Taiwan’s Indigenous arts and cultural sector since 2016.

The delegation will strengthen existing connections, create opportunities to meet new collaborators and explore future pathways for artists, arts workers and cultural organisations in both regions. At its heart, the exchange is about building long-term partnerships between the Northern Territory and Taiwan.

Delegates

Michelle Bell – CEO, Artback NT
Tahlia Biggs – Tour Producer – Performing Arts, Artback NT
Nadine Lee – Founder, Birrimi Creations and Chairperson, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation
Marisa Maher – Artback NT Board Member and Manager, Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
Colin Puruntatameri – Treasurer, ANKA
Philip Watkins – CEO, Desart

Over the coming week, delegates will visit artist studios, cultural centres and significant cultural sites, spend time in Indigenous communities, attend performances and cultural events, and meet with artists and cultural leaders across Taiwan. The program has been designed to encourage conversation, relationship-building and future collaboration.

The itinerary

The trip begins in Kaohsiung before travelling to Pingtung County and the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park.

While there, delegates will meet with the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center, tour the Cultural Park, attend a cultural performance and visit the Rinari community.

Across Pingtung County, the delegation will spend time with a range of artists and organisations, including Etan Pavavalung, Aruwai Kaumaka, Lumamiling, Masiswagger Zingerur, Feather Art of Drum and Dance, Tjimur Dance Theatre, and Lavuras Matilin / Original Sense Object Creative Culture.

The journey then continues to Taitung County, where delegates will visit artists, cultural sites and Indigenous arts organisations, as well as attend the Moonlight Sea Concerts, a major outdoor cultural event on Taiwan’s east coast.

Planned visits include Eleng Luluan, Iming Mavaliw and Bulareyaung Dance Company.

The final leg of the trip takes the group to Hualien County and Taipei, where meetings and visits are planned with the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, the Australian Office in Taipei and the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines.

Why this exchange matters

Artback NT CEO Michelle Bell said the delegation is focused on building meaningful, long-term relationships.

“This delegation is about more than a single visit. It’s about spending time together, learning from one another and creating opportunities for future collaboration between First Nations artists and cultural organisations in the Northern Territory and Taiwan.

“Artback NT has been building relationships with Taiwan for many years, and it’s exciting to bring together a broader group of First Nations leaders to be part of those conversations.”

Looking ahead to August

And the exchange doesn’t end when the delegation returns home.

In August, Taiwanese delegates will travel to Darwin during one of the busiest and most exciting periods on the Northern Territory arts calendar, including Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Darwin Festival.

They will also attend Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing the Rainbow), a powerful cross-cultural performance developed through collaboration between Yolŋu artists from North East Arnhem Land and Paiwan and Amis artists from Taiwan.

Follow the journey

We’ll be sharing updates from the road throughout the trip on our social media pages, including behind-the-scenes moments and reflections from participants as the exchange unfolds.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through the DFAT First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships Grant Program. Project funding is also made possible through the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center, Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Artback NT is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government and is assisted by the Australian Government through its arts funding and advisory body.