Godinymayin: Building Creative Places
Looking Back at Our Recently Completed Fiscal Year
This year has been all about building a vision for the future—literally and physically. Thanks to the Northern Territory Government’s extraordinary Arts Trail Infrastructure investment over the past three years, our organisation has been expanding facilities for a 2024 opening.
We began FY2023 with the design and expansion plans approved, thanks to wonderful work by Troppo Architects in Darwin. The tendering process followed, and our Lambert Gallery presented a closer look at the architectural plans while inviting the community to dream up new ideas, events, and collaborations.
Local builders Katherine Constructions were selected for the building job, and by December 2022 they broke ground on our new amphitheatre, outdoor deck and cafe, office annex, and entryway. I’ve attended our ongoing capital works program meetings to help guide and advise the process. The dust has been unsettled ever since, but the beautiful growth of Godinymayin’s cultural center is now taking shape around us.
Despite the disruptions, our creative and cultural programming over the past twelve months has been diverse and varied—with public events about art and technology, exhibitions in support of the region’s Indigenous arts centres, live music and stand-up comedy in the auditorium, the ever-popular Katherine Prize, community identity initiatives, and a growing range of exciting youth workshops. Our small team continue to plan and deliver wonderful experiences for residents and visitors—and we can’t wait to see what they do with our new cultural facilities next year.
Governance at Katherine Regional Cultural Precinct has also been strengthened this year. We’ve welcomed new Board Members and Northern Territory Government representatives Margaret Close and Warren Giles, undertaken a review and update of our Constitution, renewed strong partnerships with Arts NT and Katherine Town Council, and formed wider collaborations with Territory organisations (and even a few inter-state).
Godinymayin has also been blessed with new and sustained funding partnerships that include the Gordon Darling Foundation, Regional Arts Grants, Katherine Prize main sponsors Julie and Geoff Newton, the Office of Gender Equity and Diversity, McArthur River Mine Community Benefit Trust, and the Big Rivers Chief Minister’s Office.
On the unfortunate side, vandalism and unexpected repairs continue to be an operating concern—impacting budget, staff, and public identity. Property damage, break-ins, and unwanted youth crime remain a frequent disruption to our good work—and steps have been taken to increase protection, external alarms, and security systems for the future.
Much like the previous post-pandemic year, FY2023 has been about renewal—and building something special. It has been a time for planning bold, dynamic, and creative facilities and a new Godinymayin future. To learn more about our organisation, programs, people, and facilities—check out our FY2023 Annual Report here. As Chair, I am honoured to be working with all of you to bring our organisation into a wonderful next chapter of arts and culture celebration!
Read more here…
— Robbie Friel
Chairman
In other news
Here are a few more news articles from Godinymayin that may interest you.
