Celebrating the Producers Mentoring Program

Over the past 12 months, Artback NT proudly delivered its first Producers Mentoring Program, nurturing and supporting three emerging creative producers on Larrakia Country. Led by Independent Creative Producer Lia Pa’apa’a, the program gave participants the skills, confidence, and networks to bring bold new projects to life – with real impact for community.

Through face-to-face intensives, fortnightly online sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on project delivery, the producers explored every aspect of creative producing: from concept development and budgeting, through to community engagement, marketing, delivery, and evaluation. Each participant also received funding to stage their own event, putting their learning into practice while shaping the future of the Northern Territory’s arts scene.

Here’s a look at the producers, volunteers, and the incredible events they created:

Jules Gabor – UNSENT
At just 20 years old, Jules Gabor is a Filipino-Australian storyteller, theatre-maker, and all-round creative whirlwind based on Larrakia Country. Fearless and full of heart, Jules’ work speaks directly to queer, CALD, and youth audiences.

In 2025, with the support of Artback NT, Jules premiered her first play UNSENT at the Darwin Fringe Festival. A mixed-media theatre work blending live performance, music, and visual design, the show captured the messy, beautiful truth of youth. UNSENT resonated deeply with audiences, earning Jules the festival’s Best Emerging Artist award and cementing her as a vital new voice in Territory theatre.

“UNSENT was about telling the truth of youth – messy, beautiful, and real. To be able to premiere my first play at Darwin Fringe and win Best Emerging Artist still feels unreal.” – Jules Gabor

Tahlia Biggs – PURLU-THAPA: Heart Open Vol. 1
Tahlia Biggs (Barkindji Nhuungku and Ngyiampaa Wangaaypuwan) is a multidisciplinary artist and creative producer whose work honours the brilliance of Blak women and communities. Her practice is grounded in love, joy, and cultural connection, weaving storytelling with collective strength.

In August 2025, she curated PURLU-THAPA: Heart Open Vol. 1, a soulful evening at Brown’s Mart Courtyard during APAX. The event celebrated Blak, Brown, Indigenous and women of colour creatives through a live neo-soul performance by JURAN & band, and a surprise collaboration with Fred Leone. She also celebrated the launch of Wanga the Podcast, provided light refreshments, and connection under the stars. More than an event, it was a declaration: a culturally grounded, heart-open space that centred and celebrated women and people of colour in the arts.

“I wanted to create a space where Blak and Brown women could feel seen, celebrated, and completely heart-open. Curating Purlu-Thapa was like holding space for joy and resistance at the same time.” – Tahlia Biggs

Kesh Fernandez – Second Home
Independent producer Kesh Fernandez is known for turning industry gaps into DIY playgrounds for community. A proud Filipino creative, Kesh thrives on producing colourful, youth-led events with heart, hustle, and a little chaos.

In August 2025, Kesh delivered Second Home, a vibrant youth-focused event at Air Raid Records. With live music, an artist market, second-hand fashion stalls, food and drinks, the event became a welcoming, all-ages hub where young people could gather, create, and belong.

“Second Home was all about giving young people a place that feels like theirs – somewhere safe, loud, and full of life. Watching the community show up proved that there’s so much energy here just waiting to be supported.” – Kesh Fernandez

Volunteer Producers

Max Paez
Max Paez is an independent creative producer based in Darwin who has been living and creating on Larrakia and Jawoyn Countries since 2019, proudly calling the Top End home. Originally from Central Victoria, Max brings a background in high-end hospitality alongside a multi-arts practice, with a strong focus on community arts and cultural development (CACD).

In recent years, Max has been producing and presenting the performance art scratch night Wet Run, cultivating spaces for process-driven experimental performance art and micro-theatre. Guided by values of community, creativity, and respect, Max is passionate about creating platforms where artists can take risks and audiences can engage with bold, emerging work.

When not producing, you might find Max behind the DJ decks, bargaining at Rapid Creek markets, or deep in conversation with new friends – a natural connector who embodies the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Darwin’s creative scene.

Jocelyn Tribe
Jocelyn Tribe has been based on Gulumoerrgin/Larrakia Country since 2016, bringing a multi-layered artistic practice that spans visual arts, music, dance, costume, and production design. Her work appears across exhibitions, theatre productions, and nightlife culture – including as DJ and co-curator of Club Awi, presented in association with Darwin Festival. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Printmaking) from the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.

Jocelyn’s arts practice is deeply informed by her lived and studied experience in cultural competency, intersectional awareness, and trauma-informed approaches. She has worked with galleries, art centres, and organisations in both urban and remote contexts, supporting cross-cultural collaborations between youth, artists, and master practitioners.

Her ability to blend artistic creation with cultural awareness makes Jocelyn a vital collaborator in building safe, inclusive spaces where creativity and community can thrive.

Closing Words from Lia Pa’apa’a
“This program has been about building confidence, capacity, and care in emerging producers who are deeply committed to their communities. Watching Jules, Tahlia, and Kesh grow their ideas into powerful, real-world events has been an honour. Each of them brought their whole selves to the process, showing what’s possible when producers are nurtured, resourced, and trusted. I can’t wait to see what they do next – the Territory’s arts future is in strong, creative hands.”

Artback NT acknowledged the support of the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.