Aboriginal Cultural Centre project

Establishing a flagship Aboriginal Cultural Centre with statewide significance has been identified as a major cultural infrastructure need for Western Australia (WA) to empower Aboriginal people.

Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities, the State Government has commenced planning for a central place of significance to empower First Nations people in sharing their stories, history and demonstrating culture.

The statewide centre will become a powerful symbol of truth telling, justice, healing, and reconciliation, creating a culturally safe place for Aboriginal people in the State’s capital city.

To be located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people in Boorloo (Perth), the centre will celebrate the ongoing connections to the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) and honour 65,000+ years of continuous living Aboriginal culture from across Western Australia.

Aboriginal Cultural Centre

The centre will provide spaces for art, performance, education, research, community and commercial activities and will become a significant tourism drawcard, inspiring visitors to explore all regions of the State to experience first-hand the unique Aboriginal cultural offerings available on Country.

 

Diagram of 3 concentric circles with 'Culture and the heart' in the centre, then people spirit and country in the middle section. Outer circle has community, hosting, performance, education/research., commercial, gallery/exhibition.

The centre will also play a role in the economic empowerment of Aboriginal people through the growth of cultural industries and tourism sectors, creating employment and training opportunities.

To help realise this vision, a joint funding commitment of $104 million from the State Government and the Commonwealth Government is progressing the planning, engagement and design for the centre. This will ensure all communities have the opportunity to contribute to the centre's development.

News

Current status

The centre’s cultural framework grounds the project in the cycle of its host Country on Whadjuk Noongar boodja by aligning planning and development with the Noongar 6 seasons.

We are currently in the birth phase, or Kambarang, which is the birth of the project where the ideas, narratives and themes start to shape place.

The 6 seasons framework outlines each phase of the project’s development which is connected to Noongar boodja (Country) seasons and life cycle.

Six seasons framework image as described below

Source: 6 seasons framework, intellectual property of Dr Richard Walley OAM. 

As we move into the Kambarang phase we will be expanding engagement across WA with Aboriginal people and communities, traditional knowledge holders as well as language, art, and cultural centres.

This will provide an opportunity to update the wider Aboriginal community on the project and ensure all communities can contribute to the centre's planning and development.

We look forward to partnering with you to help shape the vision, functions and scope of the statewide Aboriginal Cultural Centre. 

Find out more

Publications

Aboriginal Cultural Centre: summary brochure cover

Aboriginal Cultural Centre: summary brochure

Booklet
Read our overview that details the significance, meaning and approach for developing the Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
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Pre-feasibility report

Report
Developing a Western Australian Aboriginal Cultural Centre, located in Perth on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar, is a key priority of Government and the benefits of doing so are substantial.

Contact

If you would like further information regarding the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, please contact the project team via email at ACC@dlgsc.wa.gov.au or call 61 8 9492 9890.

Page reviewed 04 September 2024
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