Bulmba-ja Arts Centre

04/09/2024

Ausdance Queensland is bringing a series of workshops to Bulmba-ja Arts Centre this week. Topics include child safety, dance training for kids and business basics for First Nations. Check out more details below 👇

25/08/2024

📢 NEW EXHIBITIONS NOW OPEN - NORTHSITE CONTEMPORARY ARTS

Celebrate experimental approaches to environment, body and materials in four new exhibitions now open at NorthSite Contemporary Arts.

Explore diverse artistic expressions from Far North Queensland through the lens of artists:

▶ Jill Chism (Remnants)
▶ Luke Aleksandrow (The Break Collection: Sound of the Tropics)
▶ Cristina Bevilacqua (SKIN)
▶ Kim Nolan, Danish Quapoor, Lois Hayes, Bunda Art, Malki Studio, Anne Jillett (Intimate Worlds) curated by Lauren Carter

For more information visit https://northsite.org.au/look-now/

📸 Jill Chism Portrait by Anna Curtis, courtesy of the artist and NorthSite Contemporary Arts

24/05/2024

02/05/2024

Bulmba-ja including NorthSite Contemporary Arts and Hungry Pitcher are closed for the Labour Day public holiday, Monday 6 May, reopening on Tuesday 7 May 2024.

24/04/2024

Bulmba-ja including NorthSite Contemporary Arts and The Hungry Pitcher are closed for ANZAC Day, 25 April, reopening Friday 26 April 2024.


Image description: Outside façade of Bulmba-ja with text Bulmba-ja is closed Thursday 25 April ANZAC Day

23/04/2024

JUTE Theatre Company invites you to a free performance of the Isaac Drandic play 'I Gut This Feeling' to launch the Dare to Dream tour at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre on 3 May 2024.
This will be the play's only Cairns performance before it goes on tour to 5 remote and regional locations, including Mornington Island.
Find out more: https://jute.com.au/dare-to-dream
In this photo: Shahnee Hunter (front) and Sheyan Walker performing in I Gut this feeling. Photo by Paul Furse 📷

22/04/2024

1 WEEK LEFT! ⏰⏰
Applications for the Touring Queensland Fund Round 4 close at 2pm on Monday 29 April.

The Touring Queensland Fund supports regional community access to quality arts and cultural events and products.

To find out about current funding opportunities visit: https://tinyurl.com/ppkpv9ce or go to the Arts Queensland website.

Image description:
Text Touring Queensland Fund, single year and multi-year projects closing soon! Apply by 29 April in white text on a green background. Beneath the text is an image of 6 people in a band - a female playing a violin, a male playing a bass guitar, a male playing drums, a male playing acoustic guitar and singing at a microphone, a male playing keyboards and a male playing electric guitar. Behind the band is an image on a screen of 7 people holding various flags.

16/04/2024

Flying Arts has a great opportunity on Saturday 20 April for arts workers and artists in the Cairns region. UQ Art Museum is leading a free workshop giving insights into cultural mediation and visitor engagement practice and principles.
Where: Cairns Court House Gallery (38 Abbott St)
When: 10am-4pm
Register here: https://flyingarts.org.au/events/cultural-mediation-in-practice

Image credit: Cultural Mediation in practice, courtesy of UQ Art Museum. 📷

Image description:
Two females, one with long dark hair, dressed in a light brown jacket, white blouse with bow and black skirt pointing up at a piece of artwork. The second female has short blonde hair and is dressed in a dark jumper with her arms crossed and carrying a large black handbag. There is a diagram on the wall behind the two females.

15/04/2024

On World Art Day (15 April), we are showcasing 3 new exhibitions at NorthSite Contemporary Arts at Bulmba-ja in Cairns:

For thy sake I in love am grown, by Anastasia Klose
Flux and Fog: Landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands, by Annika Harding
I AM Muma Nai, by Naomi Evans

These exhibitions focus on our environment, exploring themes of conservation, biodiversity, landscapes, ecosystems and upcycling.

Open until 1 June 2024 - visit https://northsite.org.au/ for more information.

Image credits:
Image 1:
Anastasia Klose, Cloud Forest, 2023, (detail), pastel and pencil on paper, 101.5 x 67.5 cm. Photographer: Michael Marzik
Image 2: Annika Harding, Misty farm 1, photograph taken on fencepost, 2023, acrylic on pine, 6.5 x 7 cm. Image courtesy the Artist.
Image 3: Naomi Evans, 'Magnetic', 2024, appliqué mixed textile, cotton + nylon / wool / cotton thread / interfacing + felt, 45 x 38 cm.

08/04/2024

1 WEEK LEFT! ⏰⏰
Applications for the Queensland Arts Showcase Program Round 5 close at 2pm on Monday 15 April 2024.

QASP focuses on celebrating Queensland’s artists and stories, ensuring Queenslanders have access to high-quality arts experiences that grow our state's cultural reputation.

To find out about current funding opportunities visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n85j242 or go to the Arts Queensland website.

Image description: White text on a green background - Queensland Arts Showcase Program, single and 2-year projects, Closing soon! Apply by 15 April. Set above an image from Ishmael by Dead Puppet Society. 2 people holding hands in space.

05/04/2024

Touring Queensland Fund (Round 4) is open for applications. ❗️❗️

The Touring Queensland Fund supports regional community access to quality arts and cultural events and products.

There's still time to apply! Applications close 29 April 2024. ⏰⏰

To find out about current funding opportunities visit: https://tinyurl.com/ppkpv9ce or go to the Arts Queensland website.

Image description:
Text Touring Queensland Fund, single year and multi-year projects apply now! in white text on a green background. Beneath the text is an image of 6 people in a band - a female playing a violin, a male playing a bass guitar, a male playing drums, a male playing acoustic guitar and singing at a microphone, a male playing keyboards and a male playing electric guitar. Behind the band is an image on a screen of 7 people holding various flags.

28/03/2024

Bulmba-ja including NorthSite Contemporary Arts and The Hungry Pitcher at Bulmba-ja are closed from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April for the Easter long weekend, reopening on Tuesday 2 April.

Image description: Photo of Bulmba-ja with text Bulmba-ja is closed Friday 29 March to 1 April 2024.

25/03/2024

Queensland Arts Showcase Program (Round 5) is open for applications. ❗️❗️

This fund focuses on celebrating Queensland’s artists and stories, ensuring Queenslanders have access to high-quality arts experiences and growing our state's cultural reputation.

There's still time to apply! Applications close 15 April 2024. ⏰⏰

To find out about current funding opportunities visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n85j242 or go to the Arts Queensland website.

Image description: White text on a green background - Queensland Arts Showcase Program, single and 2-year projects, apply now. Set above an image from Ishmael by Dead Puppet Society. 2 people holding hands in space.

18/03/2024

New funding round open! 🤩
Applications for Round 4 of the Touring Queensland Fund are now open.
Funding available includes:
- Single-year touring programs and single-tour funding—up to $100,000 for tour-ready performing arts, visual arts, schools tours, workshops and events with tour itineraries that include at least three (3) locations within a 12-month period.
- Multi-year touring program funding—up to $150,000 per annum for touring an identified circuit of at least five (5) locations multiple times over a 24-month period.
Funding will support either;
- touring programs that repeat visits to the same circuits
- tours to different circuits across the period.
Applicants can apply for up to 50% of the total project costs.
There is also additional funding of up to $60,000 towards a full-time industry placement for 12-months (or a pro rata equivalent for part-time) with a focus on arts management and/or arts production. The placement must be:
- a new position
- built into the planned activity, and you must provide evidence of your intention for continued employment of the person or role
- supported by a holistic skills development program and a supervisor with appropriate experience
- paid at least minimum award wage and covered under employer’s Workcover and superannuation.
Applications close 29 April 2024.
Find out how to apply: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/.../aq-touring-queensland-fund
Image description:

Text Touring Queensland Fund, single year and multi-year projects apply now! in white text on a green background. Beneath the text is an image of 6 people in a band - a female playing a violin, a male playing a bass guitar, a male playing drums, a male playing acoustic guitar and singing at a microphone, a male playing keyboards and a male playing electric guitar. Behind the band is an image on a screen of 7 people holding various flags.

12/03/2024

The Griffith University Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre is accepting enrolments for Semester 1 of the Cairns Musical Theatre workshops at Bulmba-ja from 11-13 April 2024. No audition required—entry is open to anyone who wants to build their musical theatre skills. There's a junior workshop for participants in years 8-10, while a senior workshop caters for years 11 & 12 plus.

Find out more and apply here: https://tinyurl.com/3zz5rbph

Applications close Wednesday 20 March 2024.

07/03/2024

⏰CLOSING SOON! Don't forget to apply! ⏰
The First Nations Commissioning Fund closes at 2pm, Monday 11 March 2024.
This fund invests in opportunities that share First Nations stories and cultural knowledge, and elevate awareness of Queensland's exceptional First Nations arts and cultural products and experiences. First Nations applicants can apply for projects of up to 2 years in duration.
Visit the Arts Queensland website for more information.

05/03/2024

💥💥Applications for Round 5 of the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) are now open 💥💥
Funding available
➡️ Single-year projects and programs - up to $70,000.
➡️ Two-year projects and programs - up to $150,000 to support the development and delivery of single projects and programs across financial years. These are projects and programs that need a larger and/or longer scale of development and include presentation and/or distribution.
➡️ PLUS additional funding of up to $10,000 towards fees for Queensland-based composers, musicians or librettists to support the commissioning of new live or recorded music as part of your project.
➡️ PLUS additional funding of up to $60,000 towards a full-time industry placement for 12-months (or a pro rata equivalent for part-time) with a focus on arts management and/or arts production. Two-year funded applicants approved for this extra funding will have the option to apply for up to $30,000 (or a pro rata equivalent) in Year 2
QASP focuses on celebrating Queensland’s artists and stories, ensuring Queenslanders have access to high quality arts experiences and growing our state's cultural reputation.
Find out how to apply: https://tinyurl.com/5n85j242, visit the AQ website.
⏰Applications close 15 April 2024.

27/02/2024

Congratulations to JUTE Theatre Company CEO and artistic director Suellen Maunder on receiving the Gold Matilda for services to regional theatre in Queensland over more than 30 years at last night's Matilda Awards awards ceremony. This exceptional achievement showcases Suellen's dedication to regional theatre, new work development and support of local theatre practitioners. 🤩🤩🫶🫶👏👏

In the lead up to Queensland Womens Week and International Women's Day on 8 March 2024 it's wonderful to see Suellen's arts leadership being recognised!

Arts Queensland is proud to support JUTE Theatre Company at Bulmba-ja

Congratulations to all the 2024 nominees and award recipients - such incredible and talented artists, arts workers and organisations creating performing arts works here in Queensland! 👏👏🫶🫶🤩🤩

Photo courtesy of the Matilda Awards

14/02/2024

Do you want to help elevate First Nations arts and cultures in Queensland?

If you are an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person, bring your expertise and become an Arts Queensland peer assessor!

As a peer assessor you will assess applications and make recommendations for Arts Queensland funding, while gaining broader insights into Queensland’s arts and cultural sector. Arts Queensland’s peer assessment approach has been co-designed with the First Nations Arts and Cultures Panel to support meaningful engagement, ensuring 50% First Nations representation on all Arts Queensland assessment panels and 100% First Nations representation for First Nations-specific funds.

Expressions of interest are open until Monday 26 February 2024. Find out more: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/peer-assessment

Credit: Image of: Nini Mackie - Torres Strait weaving workshop
photographer: Blueclick Photography

13/02/2024

Congratulations to the recipients of the inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair CATAPULT Program!
Arts Queensland proudly supports CIAF as part of our commitment to elevating First Nations Arts through Creative Together - the Government's 10-year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland.

Successful CATAPULT program recipient Matilda Nona Congratulations to our inaugural CATAPULT artists! 07 Feb 2024 View all Articles The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is thrilled to announce the successful applicants for CIAF CATAPULT, a new professional development program providing new pathways and ca...

07/02/2024

Check out these 3 fantastic exhibitions on NorthSite Contemporary Arts !

1. NGURRUWARRA/ DERNDERNYIN: Stone Fish Traps Of The Wellesley Islands - the inaugural presentation of a new 20-metre-long canvas celebrating fish traps, which are central to the culture and identity of First Nations communities across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria.

2. Conversations with my Barista (Real or Imagined) - where Cairns-based artist Selina Kudo delves deep into the intricate landscape of the human psyche. This exploration becomes an attempt to quiet the turbulent seas of the mind, to find an oasis of stillness amidst the perpetual mental chatter.

3. Facing time: 50 years - featuring works by artists and long-term friends, Euan Macleod and Cairns-based artist Geoff Dixon. The exhibition is a selection from an ongoing series of portraits (currently 320 and counting) which depict Macleod and Dixon’s daily communication on FaceTime, a godsend for so many isolated by the onset of the pandemic.

For more information visit: northsite.org.au

Image 1: Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation, ‘Ngurruwarra/Derndernyin (stone fish trap)’, (detail), 2023. Photo: Michael Marzik.

Image 2 and 3: Images courtesy of the artist.

02/02/2024

Could you be an Arts Queensland peer assessor? 🫶👍👌😀

We’re looking for passionate and motivated people to help support the growth of arts and culture in Queensland to expand our pool of peer assessors! Anyone can nominate and we encourage nominations from First Nations peoples, people living in regional areas, young people, people with lived experience of a disability, and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

As a peer assessor you will assess applications and make recommendations for Arts Queensland funding, while gaining broader insights into Queensland’s arts and cultural sector.

Visit the Arts Queensland website to find out more: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/peer-assessment or follow the link in our bio.

Nominations close 19 February 2024.

Image credit: Brisbane Serenades - New Farm

30/01/2024

🖤💛❤️💙🤍💚APPLY NOW!
Applications for Round 4 of the First Nations Commissioning Fund are now open.
This fund invests in opportunities that share First Nations stories and cultural knowledge, and elevate awareness of Queensland's exceptional First Nations arts and cultural products and experiences. First Nations applicants can apply for projects of up to 1 or 2 years in duration.
Apply by 2pm, 11 March 2024
For more information visit: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding

24/01/2024

Do you want to help grow arts and culture in Queensland? Nominate to become an Arts Queensland Peer Assessor. 🤔🤔😀😀

It’s important that our Peer Assessors reflect Queensland’s diverse arts sector and communities.

Nominations are sought from people across all art forms and arts and cultural business, as well as those with other business expertise, to expand our current pool of assessors. We encourage nominations from First Nations peoples, people living in regional areas, young people (18-25 years), people with lived experience of a disability, and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

If you, or someone you know would like to use your arts, cultural, community and/or business expertise and knowledge to benefit the Queensland arts and cultural sector, we encourage you to nominate now.

To learn more visit arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/peer-assessment of follow the link in our bio. EOIs close 19 February 2024

Image credit: Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden.

24/01/2024

Bulmba-ja, NorthSite Contemporary Arts Gallery and the Hungry Pitcher at Bulmba-ja will be closed for the public holiday on 26 January 2024.

17/01/2024

Are you looking for an opportunity to support the growth of Queensland’s arts sector? We are seeking to expand our current pool of peer assessors, so why not consider nominating yourself or someone else to be an Arts Queensland Peer Assessor? 🤔🤔😀😀

Nominations are now open for individuals to support our independent Peer Assessment process, where assessors consider applications and make recommendations for Arts Queensland funding.

We are seeking EOIs from people across any art form, arts and cultural business, or with other business expertise. Supporting our commitment for diverse experiences and ensuring 50% First Nations representation on assessor panels, we encourage nominations from First Nations peoples, people living in regional areas, young people (18-25 years), people with lived experience of a disability, and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

If you, or someone you know, can share expertise and knowledge to support the growth of Queensland’s arts and cultural sector, we encourage you to nominate now.

Visit the Arts Queensland website to find out more: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/peer-assessment

Nominations close 19 February 2024.

15/01/2024

Calling all writers! Do you have a story that needs to be heard? Join the JUTE Theatre Company 2024 Write Sparks 101 program!
The program provides:
✅ Expert guidance from a seasoned and award-wining playwright
✅ Engaging workshops to hone your skills
✅ A platform for your unique voice
✅ Networking with like-minded creatives
✅ The chance to see your work come alive on stage
Sign up now at www.jute.com.au/write-sparks
Image courtesy of JUTE Theatre Company

11/01/2024

Elevate your craft and design career with an artisan residency! 🤩🤩
Applications are open for artisan's exciting professional program, which offers a residency and exhibition for 2 Queensland craftspeople and designers annually, giving them resources to create new works, hone skills and connect with new audiences.
Find out more here: http://tinyurl.com/yjj8ddm2
Applications close 20 February 2024. .
Arts Queensland is proud to partner with Artisan for this innovative and transformative program.
📷Photo credit:
Rose-Mary Faulkner in the Cold Shop at Canberra Glassworks, photographer Pew Pew Studio for Canberra Glassworks

10/01/2024

Applications for the First Nations Arts Business Grants are still open!
Strengthen the skills and capacity of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander arts business with support from the First Nations Arts Business Grants and Hub!
💙 One-off grants of up to $10,000 are available for Queensland-based First Nations arts and cultural businesses to access business support and development services: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/first-nations-arts-business-grants
💙 Visit the First Nations Arts Business Hub for resources, information and opportunities to help build and expand First Nations arts businesses: www.arts.qld.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/fnabh
📷 Community Weaving Workshop - FNCF Grow 2023. Image C McGregor.