Festivals team up to boost Aboriginal art

The work of eight Aboriginal artists will be showcased at Dark Mofo and Yirramboi as the two arts festivals join forces.

The 'kin' partnership aims to highlight the cultural connections between the Koorie and Palawa peoples, on whose traditional lands the festivals are held.

Four artists from each community will be supported to develop new work, exchange knowledge and build relationships, with their art to feature at the festivals in May and June 2023.

The team behind Dark Mofo said there is a greater need for authentic collaboration between Indigenous artists and the broader arts sector.

"This partnership provides an exciting opportunity for First Nations artists to develop and premiere work as part of two of Australia's leading festivals," said DarkLab's Caleb Nichols-Mansell and Dylan Hoskins.

"In addition to this, community artists have access to funding, industry partners, stakeholders and production support to fully realise their concept."

Yirramboi organisers say the collaboration would shine a light on the "rich history and kinship" between Victorian and Tasmanian artists.

"We seek to continuously support First Nations stories on stage and through kin, we extend their life beyond Yirramboi to even more audiences," co-leads Sherene Stewart and J-Maine Beezley said.

Yirramboi organisers will curate Victorian Indigenous artists involved, while Tasmanian Aboriginal artists can submit expressions of interest through the festival's website.