We’re very excited to officially welcome Katie Edmiston (aka Katie Doll) to Aboriginal Art Co as our new General Manager.

Thanks to funding from Arts Queensland, we’ve been able to establish this important new role at a significant point in Aboriginal Art Co’s journey. As our organisation continues to grow, so too does the work behind the scenes required to support our artists, team, exhibitions, programs, partnerships and community.

For the first time in our history, Aboriginal Art Co will have two senior staff members leading the organisation, representing a huge increase in our capacity and giving us a stronger foundation for the future.

A familiar face

For many in our community, Katie needs little introduction.

Katie has been a trusted ally, advocate and passionate supporter of Aboriginal Art Co for many years. Until recently, she was also a dedicated member of our Board, a role she held for several years.

Moving from the Board into the General Manager role feels like a natural next chapter. Katie already has a strong understanding of who we are, why we exist and the values that guide our work.

She brings extensive experience across arts and culture, governance, partnerships and organisational leadership, alongside strong relationships across Queensland’s arts and cultural sector.

Strengthening our Indigenous-led leadership

Importantly, Aboriginal Art Co remains an Indigenous-led organisation.

Co-founder Amanda Hayman, a Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon woman, will remain Executive Director and continue to lead Aboriginal Art Co, setting the organisation’s strategic, cultural and creative direction. 

Our commitment to First Nations leadership extends through our governance, with 80% of our Board identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Katie’s appointment strengthens this leadership by adding dedicated senior capacity alongside Amanda. As General Manager, Katie will take greater responsibility for the day-to-day management, operations, people and organisational systems that support our work.

This means Amanda can dedicate more of her time to the areas at the heart of Aboriginal Art Co - working with artists and art centres, curating exhibitions, developing programs and partnerships, and creating new opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

Together, Amanda and Katie will form Aboriginal Art Co’s senior leadership team, bringing complementary skills and experience to the organisation while maintaining the First Nations leadership, values and cultural integrity that have shaped Aboriginal Art Co from the beginning.

Growing Aboriginal Art Co

Aboriginal Art Co has grown significantly since it was founded.

What started with a big idea - to create more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and a trusted place for people to experience and buy First Nations art — has developed into an organisation delivering exhibitions, artist development, residencies, cultural experiences, retail, public programs and partnerships.

That growth has created both exciting opportunities and a much bigger organisation to manage.

Having two senior leaders for the first time gives Aboriginal Art Co significantly greater capacity to support our team, strengthen our operations, deepen our relationships with artists and art centres, and think more strategically about the organisation’s future.

It is an important milestone for us - and one made possible through the support of Arts Queensland.

Our next chapter

There is plenty ahead for Aboriginal Art Co, and we’re excited to have Katie alongside us for it.

As we grow, our purpose remains the same: to support First Nations artists, create meaningful opportunities for artists to share their work and stories, and connect audiences with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture in ways that are respectful, authentic and mutually beneficial.

We’re incredibly excited about what this additional capacity will make possible.

Welcome to the team, Katie. We’re so happy to have you!