Image: 2026 Dhiraamalang participants and support team at Quampi Arts and Culture Centre. Photograph by Jo-Anne Driessens, 2026, courtesy National Gallery of Australia. 

Aboriginal Art Co was proud to partner with the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) and Wesfarmers Arts to co-host the 2026 Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program in Brisbane for the first time.

We were very proud to have them in our space for the Brisbane component of the program. The 10-day program brought together emerging First Nations arts professionals from across Australia for an immersive experience of professional development, cultural exchange and industry engagement. This year, Aboriginal Art Co's Program Officer, Rachel Bywaters was a participant. 

This partnership was particularly meaningful for Aboriginal Art Co founders Troy Casey and Amanda Hayman, who are both alumni of Dhiraamalang. Having experienced firsthand the value of learning alongside First Nations peers from across the country, they were excited to contribute to a program that has shaped their own professional journeys.

Their relationship with the National Gallery of Australia has continued over the years, most recently through their selection for the inaugural Wayanha: First Nations Advanced Leadership Program in 2025, which included an international study tour across the UK and Europe.

The program commenced with a welcome gathering at Aboriginal Art Co's West End gallery, and a good portion of the program was delivered in our space, creating valuable opportunities for participants to meet established artists, curators and industry leaders, gaining new perspectives and expanding their professional networks.

As the local delivery partner, Aboriginal Art Co helped design and coordinate aspects of the program like the public art tour, gallery and studio visits, behind-the-scenes experiences and a special networking event. We also had the important job of catering! We had food and drinks from Indigenous businesses like Blak Brews, Mabu Mabu, My Dilly Bag, The Unexpected Guest, FigJam, Bowie Solutions and Jarrah catering, across the week. 

For Aboriginal Art Co, hosting Dhiraamalang in Brisbane for the first time was a significant milestone and an opportunity to showcase our amazing local First Nations creative community.

We are incredibly proud of our ongoing relationship with the National Gallery of Australia and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a program that has been so valuable to our own journey. We extend our thanks to the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts, and to the many local artists, cultural practitioners, galleries and organisations who generously shared their knowledge and experiences.

Congratulations to the 2026 Dhiraamalang participants. We look forward to seeing where your journeys take you!

Dhiraamalang Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is a National Gallery of Australia initiative supported by Wesfarmers Arts.