ARAA’s Artist & Cultural Practitioner Network
The Tribe is ARAA’s professional network for Aboriginal artists and cultural practitioners from Regional and Remote NSW.
It has been created to strengthen visibility, improve access to opportunities, and ensure a transparent and accountable process for how ARAA connects artists with exhibitions, markets, partnerships, commissions and professional activity.
The Tribe positions ARAA as a connector and advocate not an exclusive agent.
Who Can Join?
• Aboriginal artists
• Aboriginal cultural practitioners
• All career stages (emerging, mid-career, established)
• Practitioners living in Regional and Remote NSW
• All mediums and disciplines
Applications are open year-round
What Members of The Tribe Receive
• A detailed artist profile hosted on the ARAA website
• At least one dedicated social media feature per year across ARAA platforms
• The ability to submit exhibitions, achievements or events for promotion
• Access to relevant opportunities shared by ARAA
• Targeted matching to exhibitions, markets, partnerships and commissions
• Clear communication about how opportunities arise
• Increased visibility through ARAA’s networks
Participation strengthens professional presence and connects practitioners to a broader statewide and national audience.
How the Application Process Works
1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants complete an online form via the ARAA website outlining their practice overview, mediums or discipline, location, career stage, and interests and availability.
2. Pay the Annual $25 Membership Fee
The fee supports administration, platform costs and promotion. The fee is fully refundable if an applicant is not endorsed to join The Tribe.
3. Board Endorsement
Applications are reviewed and presented to the ARAA Board for endorsement to ensure governance oversight, cultural integrity, accountability and transparency. Applicants are notified of the outcome following Board review
What Members of The Tribe Receive
• A detailed artist profile hosted on the ARAA website
• At least one dedicated social media feature per year across ARAA platforms
• The ability to submit exhibitions, achievements or events for promotion
• Access to relevant opportunities shared by ARAA
• Targeted matching to exhibitions, markets, partnerships and commissions
• Clear communication about how opportunities arise
• Increased visibility through ARAA’s networks
Participation strengthens professional presence and connects practitioners to a broader statewide and national audience.
How Opportunities Are Shared
When ARAA receives opportunities, some are shared broadly across The Tribe network, while others are matched to practitioners whose work and readiness align. Selection processes are guided by documented internal criteria and governance oversight.
Participation does not guarantee work, but it ensures practitioners are considered through a transparent and professional system.
What The Tribe Is Not
• Not an exclusive agency
• Does not set pricing
• Does not restrict artists from working elsewhere
• Does not guarantee selection for opportunities
Artists retain full autonomy over their practice, contracts and representation.
Why ARAA Created The Tribe
The Tribe strengthens transparency, equity, professional standards, cultural integrity and governance accountability. It reduces reliance on informal networks and ensures ARAA can advocate effectively for Aboriginal artists and cultural practitioners from Regional and Remote NSW.
The Tribe is about visibility, connection and long-term sustainability for the sector.