Last night BHP Billiton and the Art Gallery of South Australia were recognised for their partnership to deliver the TARNANTHI Festival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, jointly receiving the Award for Excellence in Supporting Communities at the South Australian Premier’s Community Excellence Awards in Mining and Energy.

The Festival, which was held in Adelaide from 8 -18 October, 2015, brought together more than 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from around Australia to share their stories and culture through works of art.

Asset President, Jacqui McGill, said she was delighted to accept the award on behalf of BHP Billiton and Olympic Dam.

“We were incredibly proud to partner with the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Government to support a vision to bring the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary art festival to South Australia and Adelaide,” Jacqui said.

“In celebrating the diverse work of more than 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia, the TARNANTHI Festival was all about culture, inclusion and collaboration – components that we, at BHP Billiton, firmly believe are vital to a vibrant society.

“Our support of this wonderful event was also consistent with values we seek to demonstrate in our relationships with Indigenous Australians – those of respect and acknowledgement of the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain their culture, identity, tradition and customs.”

The Festival was successful both in terms of audience response and critical acclaim.

Key outcomes included:

• TARNANTHI showcased the work of over 1,000 artists across the Art Gallery and 22 partner venues and an Art Fair with over 1,000 individual works of art.
• The exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia ran from 8 October - 17 January 2016 and attracted over 145,000 visitors.
• Total attendances at all TARNANTHI exhibitions and events at the Art Gallery and 22 partner venues was 311,063.
• The Art Fair attracted 5,500 visitors and generated over $450,000 in direct sales over the two day event, providing the opportunity to generate revenue in the mid-range Aboriginal and Torres Strait art market that is so critical for the economies of remote communities.
• From an education perspective, the exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia achieved a record number of school visits including 9,284 students, teachers and accompanying adults.

Jacqui said TARNANTHI showed what was possible when working together and an example of a true partnership.

“This award is shared with the South Australian Government and the Art Gallery of South Australia, so our thanks to the Premier and Treasurer for their strong support, Nick Mitzevich and his team at the Gallery, including Festival Director, Nici Cumpston; but most importantly, the Aboriginal advisory board to TARNANTHI and all of the artists whose work created this amazing event,” Jacqui said.