Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton, Paul Brown MP has welcomed the announcement that Mara Aboriginal Art Corporation (Yamaji Arts) has been awarded $60,000 for its Yamaji Art Pathway to Sustainability business model review and business planning, in addition to gallery enhancements, to assist organisational growth.

Nineteen Western Australian Aboriginal art centres have been awarded funding for fourteen projects through the $24 million Creative Regions program, made possible by Royalties for Regions.

Mr Brown said the Royalties for Regions investment of more than $629,000 will help make Aboriginal art centres more sustainable and improve their commercial viability.

“This is part of the Future Focus for WA Aboriginal Art Centres fund and will provide new impetus for the many dedicated artists and their communities who contribute so much to the community,” Mr Brown said.

“Some of the grants have been awarded to multiple recipients, meaning a single grant can benefit numerous groups of artists.”

The Future Focus scheme is part of Royalties for Regions’ $24 million investment in country culture and arts.

“The art centres play an important role in developing artist skills, ensuring cultural continuity and contributing towards regional WA’s prosperity and value for tourist and visitors to the area, Mr Brown said.

“Aboriginal art is not only a valuable artistic and commercial resource, it also promotes pride and employment in local communities.”

Mr Brown said art centres could apply for funding for fully scoped projects ready to begin immediately or they could source $5,000 to develop proposals for further assessment.

“The response to the offer of Future Focus funding has been strong, with 10 high-quality projects approved State wide and a further four with great potential funded to develop detailed proposals,” Mr Brown said.

Applications for Future Focus funding are assessed by a panel including representatives of the Department of Culture and the Arts