Still Growing: First Nations Youth Collective
The Still Growing program at Arts and Cultural Exchange (ACE) is a platform for emerging First Nations artists to experiment, create, and showcase their work in a supportive, culturally safe environment. Since its launch, the program has nurtured a powerful collective of storytellers, musicians, dancers, and visual artists—each using their practice to amplify Blak voices and inspire the next generation.
Our first Still Growing Youth Artist in Residence, Wiradjuri puppeteer Brianna McCarthy, developed and presented her experimental puppetry work, The Tales from Liminas: A Winner’s Wand. Describing the project as her own “personal dreaming,” Brianna used fantasy to entertain while also teaching herself and others the power of storytelling.
“ACE encourages us to be bold and truthful, I’m always pointing people toward ACE”
– Bria McCarthy
In September 2023, Wiradjuri artist Amy Flannery brought her First Nations dance collective, Lost All Sorts, to ACE. Together, they choreographed and composed a song reflecting their journey as young Blak creatives, culminating in a striking performance at Exchange at Dusk.
We welcomed two new Artists in Residence:
“The best experience of my residency at ACE would have to be the relationships I’ve created along the way. The creative space really inspires me.”
— Natalie Snedden, 2024 Still Growing Artist in Residence Alumni
“Still Growing workshops are really important because they champion the voices of the young ones coming through.”
— Tannika Keaton, First Nations Programs Advisor
“I knew I was in safe hands, that I could be vulnerable and take everything from this experience because I knew they were going to look after me.”
— Elina Roberts-Turner
This year, Still Growing looks to continue its work, growing emerging artists and expanding the definition of what it means to be ’emerging’. Watch this space.
