First Nations Artistic Advisory Circle
The First Nations Artistic Advisory Circle (FNAAC) brings together a group of First Nations artists from different genres of music and disciplines, appointed in consultation with our Board and Executive team. The Circle helps the Artistic Director with concepts and creative strategic planning for AAO works, with the aim to create selected projects in our annual program with meaning and impact for First Nations audiences, collaborators, and our broader community. With an agreement to meet quarterly, the FNAAC will ensure that projects involving First Nations artists and knowledge keepers are executed with cultural sensitivity, including onboarding and mentoring recipients of our First Nations Artist in Residence position. While offering cultural guidance and mentorship, it is integral to the group that it has creative input and agency in relation to AAO’s artistic outcomes. The inaugural term for appointees is 2023-2024, with a review led by the group and in consultation with our Board before this term ends to inform future operation.
We are thrilled to welcome founding members of the First Nations Artistic Advisory Circle:
Kutcha Edwards
Kutcha Edwards has been prolifically combining songwriting and activism since 1991, when he joined Koori group Watbalimba and began the remarkable journey that has taken him from the tiny Riverina town of Balranald to tours of Australia and the world. His experiences as a survivor of the Stolen Generations and his proud Mutti Mutti heritage has shaped his diverse creative output in groups like Blackfire and The Black Arm Band. At the same time, he has also been able to forge a successful solo career combining his ‘Bidgee’ blues with traditional songs of people and country. Kutcha is a Songman, not simply a songwriter. He draws on a profound sense of all those who have gone before him on this land, along with his own life experiences, to help his audiences understand themselves, reconnect with their culture and promote cultural understanding. His music touches the soul and through his humour and insights we realise that with recognition of the true Aboriginal history, there can be hope of reconciliation.
Brenda Gifford
Brenda is a classically trained pianist and saxophonist whose work and arts practice is informed by her Country, community, and culture. A contemporary classical composer and Yuin woman, Brenda creates music for ensembles, orchestras, choirs, dance and theatre performances, festivals, and concerts. Currently studying a Master of Music (Composition) in the Composing Women program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Brenda’s work has been commissioned and performed by the Canberra, Tasmania, and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Ensemble Offspring, Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra, and Sydney Dance Company.
David Arden
For the last thirty-seven years, David Arden has worked with many of the great First Nation and Non-First Nation artists from around the world. In the mid-80s, David was the frontman for the Koori Youth Band, and from there went on to work with many great First Nation acts of the time, from Hard Time Band, Archie Roach and the Altogether Band and Bart Willoughby and Mixed Relation Band (including Building Bridges). The musical relationship with Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter spanned many years, during which he toured and recorded as a key guitarist and vocalist with their group. Soon to be released is his fifth studio album “Meetra – The Ballad of James Arden”, where David revisits the story of his great grandfather who was the keeper of tribal knowledge of the Gunditjmara peoples from the Western District of Victoria. Meetra means “Rise Up” (Gunditjmara - Keerray Wooroong language translation from Yoolongteeyt, Dr Vicki Couzens).