Mimili Maku Arts is a vibrant contemporary art studio and cultural centre founded and governed by a strong board of Anangu directors. The art centre is located in Mimili Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. The centre is a thriving cultural space, connecting cultural leaders of our community with the contemporary art world. Our mission is to support future generations of Anangu to continue living on country whilst being able to access a culturally affirming income through artmaking.
Our studio is a space for artistic excellence, cultural celebration as well as a platform to tackle the many social challenges experienced by Anangu living on the APY Lands today. Whilst our core business is the creation of artwork, the income created through art sales enables us to follow the overarching vision of our Elders to educate the next generation of Anangu growing up on country, supporting continued cultural practices and knowledge of the land.
Home to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists like Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin, Robert Fielding and the late Kunmanara (Mumu Mike) Williams, Mimili artists are renown for distinctively experimental, culturally, and politically potent artforms. Mimili artists have been recognised in major art prizes, and their work has been acquired by institutions and art collectors in Australia and beyond. Mimili Maku Arts is a safe cultural space for and by Anangu. We do not have capacity to host volunteers or tourists.
Our studio is a space for artistic excellence, cultural celebration as well as a platform to tackle the many social challenges experienced by Anangu living on the APY Lands today. Whilst our core business is the creation of artwork, the income created through art sales enables us to follow the overarching vision of our Elders to educate the next generation of Anangu growing up on country, supporting continued cultural practices and knowledge of the land.
Home to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists like Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin, Robert Fielding and the late Kunmanara (Mumu Mike) Williams, Mimili artists are renown for distinctively experimental, culturally, and politically potent artforms. Mimili artists have been recognised in major art prizes, and their work has been acquired by institutions and art collectors in Australia and beyond. Mimili Maku Arts is a safe cultural space for and by Anangu. We do not have capacity to host volunteers or tourists.
Beverly Downs, Pauline Wangin and Emma
Singer painting in the kungka (women’s) room
at Mimili Maku Arts, 2023.
Singer painting in the kungka (women’s) room
at Mimili Maku Arts, 2023.
Staff
Mimili Maku Arts is committed to being a culturally safe, flexible, and responsive workplace. Supported by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, we employ a broad cohort of workers between 19 and 80 years old.
We work malparara way, side by side, to pursue our common goal: create and maintain a thriving social business so our children and grandchildren can live proudly, with strong roots planted in country and culture. Over the years we have made many friends from across the world whom have walked this path with us, supporting our vision because they trust in our leadership.
Mimili Maku Arts prioritises local employment where possible in line with our board’s vision. However, there are always opportunities for the right individual to join the team as we continue to grow. Please contact us via e-mail for current openings and to learn more.
We work malparara way, side by side, to pursue our common goal: create and maintain a thriving social business so our children and grandchildren can live proudly, with strong roots planted in country and culture. Over the years we have made many friends from across the world whom have walked this path with us, supporting our vision because they trust in our leadership.
Mimili Maku Arts prioritises local employment where possible in line with our board’s vision. However, there are always opportunities for the right individual to join the team as we continue to grow. Please contact us via e-mail for current openings and to learn more.
Ethics
Mimili artists Umatji Tjapalyi, Betty Campbell
and Amy Yilpie working on a collaborative
canvas during a bush camp at Paralpi, 2023.
and Amy Yilpie working on a collaborative
canvas during a bush camp at Paralpi, 2023.
Mimili Maku artists and directors Tuppy
Goodwin, Betty Campbell and Teresa Mula
yarning around the fire at bush camp in
Paralpi, 2023.
Goodwin, Betty Campbell and Teresa Mula
yarning around the fire at bush camp in
Paralpi, 2023.
Mimili Maku Arts was incorporated in May 2010, and is governed by a board of Anangu directors who ensure that everything we do is in accordance with cultural protocol and our overarching purpose of improving community health and wellbeing.
The art centre is the primary source of non-government income in our community. We employ seven permanent art workers and additional casual staff. These positions are some of the only jobs in our community, offering meaningful training and professional development opportunities for Anangu.
The Indigenous art market still lacks transparency at times, with industry regulations still catching up with the reality of social disadvantage faced by many of our communities. This can make it difficult to make informed decisions around purchases.Buying directly from an art centre, or one of our trusted gallery partners, is the best way to guarantee you are supporting an ethical business model that sustainably benefits our families and community.
We work with a selection of reputable commercial galleries within Australia and internationally, as well as institutions who have become great friends to our art centre over the years. We thank the many Aboriginal nations across the continent on whose country we have been able to showcase and share our artwork.
The art centre is the primary source of non-government income in our community. We employ seven permanent art workers and additional casual staff. These positions are some of the only jobs in our community, offering meaningful training and professional development opportunities for Anangu.
The Indigenous art market still lacks transparency at times, with industry regulations still catching up with the reality of social disadvantage faced by many of our communities. This can make it difficult to make informed decisions around purchases.Buying directly from an art centre, or one of our trusted gallery partners, is the best way to guarantee you are supporting an ethical business model that sustainably benefits our families and community.
We work with a selection of reputable commercial galleries within Australia and internationally, as well as institutions who have become great friends to our art centre over the years. We thank the many Aboriginal nations across the continent on whose country we have been able to showcase and share our artwork.
Partners
Tuppy Goodwin at Olsen Gallery 2023.
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani's and Marina Pumani Brown's work on display at Alcaston Gallery in 2023.
Commercial partner galleries
Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Bruxelles, Belgium
APY Gallery, Sydney, Naarm & Tarntanya
Short St Gallery, Broome, Yawuru Country
Maruku Gallery, Yulara
GoCA, Yulara
Olsen Gallery, Sydney, Gadigal Country
Everywhen Artspace, Mornington, Bunurong Country
Alcaston Gallery, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country
Blackartprojects, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country
Linden New Arts, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country
Michael Reid Gallery, Berlin
Outstation Gallery, Darwin, Larrakia Country
Art Centre friends
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Ballarat, Wadawurrung Country
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Gadigal Country
Art Gallery of South Australia, Tarntanya, Kaurna Country
Canberra Glassworks, Canberra, Ngunnawal Country
Fundere Foundry, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country
Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland, Wonnarua Country
McClelland Gallery, Bunurong Country
Negative Press, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country