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Art association pushes for Indigenous cultural centre

9 December 2008 - The executive officer of an Aboriginal art association says central Australia would benefit from a visitor centre for Indigenous art and culture.

The longstanding idea was refloated at an Alice Springs Town Council innovation forum last month and is being investigated by the council's tourism and promotions committee.

John Oster from Desart, which represents art centres in central Australia, says many visitors to the region want to have some contact with Indigenous people.

He says a new centre should focus on culture as well as Aboriginal art.

"It's really important I think that people see the richness of Aboriginal culture," he said.

"This is a fantastic culture and we know it's been around for tens of thousands of years.

"It's a very deep and rich culture and there are many ways to display that."

Mr Oster says it would be important to ensure Aboriginal traditional owners were properly involved.

"The things that need to be considered are that it is truly an Aboriginal cultural centre that reflects a proper consultation with Aboriginal people," he said.

"It would also need to be accessible, so whether Araluen's a good site for it or somewhere central in town are all things to be considered I think."

Source: ABC

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