Iwiri Arts is a fledgling studio started in 2021 by the broader Iwiri organisation
The centre it is located in Adelaide and serves as a vibrant hub for the artistic expression and cultural preservation of the Anangu people. Iwiri Arts provides a platform for artists to share their stories, traditions, and creative works with a wider audience, celebrating the rich heritage of the Central Desert region.
Iwiri was established in 2018 by Anangu who had been forced to move to Adelaide due to chronic health conditions and lack of services in their home communities. Living far from their traditional homelands, Anangu faced cultural and social isolation and saw a need to act. Iwiri was initially formed to help retain, promote, and transmit Anangu culture and language through arts, language, knowledge, and community activities. Since its inception, Iwiri has grown rapidly into an organisation that delivers a range of programs aimed at strengthening and advancing Anangu wellbeing.
The mission of Iwiri is to promote the wellbeing of Anangu across their lifespan, particularly those living away from their traditional homelands in Adelaide. Iwiri works towards achieving better outcomes for Anangu individuals and families who often face considerable disadvantage. Programs focus on nurturing, strengthening, and promoting connection to key pillars of Anangu identity: Ngura (country/home), Tjukurpa (philosophy, Lore), Walytja (kinship and relationships), and Kurunpa (spirit/soul). Alongside fostering emotional, mental, and cultural wellbeing, Iwiri aims to create economic opportunities for Anangu through employment and arts-based enterprise development.
Iwiri employs a variety of strategies to address social needs such as cultural isolation, poverty, long-term unemployment, mental ill health, homelessness, and drug addiction. Employment opportunities for Anangu are provided through translating, cultural awareness training, and language teaching courses offered to government and non-government services. Over the past year, Iwiri has generated employment for over 50 Anangu, many of whom had never worked before. The organisation helps individuals become 'work ready' by assisting with necessary documentation, providing clothing and transport to work appointments, and offering supervision and support for those transitioning from long-term unemployment.
In addition to its employment initiatives, Iwiri Arts runs a studio and performing arts program that includes a choir and traditional dance for children and adults. These programs respond to the need for cultural connection, transgenerational cultural transmission, and cultural retention, serving as resources for mental health and resilience. Employment opportunities are also provided through performances, recording projects, and commercial art sales.
Iwiri’s Wellbeing Hub is closely connected to the Arts Studio and Performing Arts program and serves as a key community resource. This hub provides a culturally safe and familiar space for service providers to engage with Anangu on issues related to health, housing, schooling, and mental health.
The organisation works in partnership with various government and non-government agencies to provide direct services to Anangu individuals and families experiencing risk or vulnerability. These partnerships include collaborations with South Australian Government departments such as the Department of Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, Department of Child Protection, Department of Human Services, and Department of Education. Through these partnerships, Iwiri provides cultural advice, direction, consultation, and translating/interpreting services, often involving Anangu cultural workers.
Iwiri is guided by senior Elders, language and cultural experts who have significant leadership experience. The organisation maintains a core focus on strong and participatory governance and decision-making, respecting and working from an Anangu knowledge and cultural framework. Anangu voices guide Iwiri’s approach, ensuring ethical practice and advocacy for core issues such as housing, access to interpreting, and health.
Through the dedication of its artists, the support of its community, and the enduring power of its cultural heritage, Iwiri Arts continues to be a dynamic force in the Indigenous art world. For those looking to connect with the heart of Indigenous culture, a visit to Iwiri Arts offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the enduring spirit and artistic brilliance of the Anangu people.