About Bulmba-ja


Bulmba-ja is a theatre, gallery and creative development space managed by Arts Queensland.  Pronounced “BUULM-ba-jar”, the name has a shared meaning of house or place in Yidinji and Yirrganydji languages.

Bulmba-ja plays a vital role in the Cairns arts scene, showcasing the unique stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Visitors can engage with the work of Bulmba-ja tenants:

  • JUTE Theatre Company
  • NorthSite Contemporary Arts
  • Miriki Performing Arts
  • The Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts
  • Minjil.

Featured Events

Write Sparks | JUTE Theatre Company

(EVENT)
12 May to 25 June 2023 (3 residencies)

Write Sparks 101 offers an exciting professional development opportunity for writers living and working in the Far North or further afield in regional Queensland. 

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I Gut This Feeling | JUTE Theatre Company

(EVENT)
25 May to 23 June 2023 (regional tour)

I Gut This Feeling is written as a two-hander touring show and presented to students ranging from Grade 4 to Grade 9. The work has been commissioned by JUTE Theatre Company as part of the Dare to Dream initiative’s, Safer Children Safer Communities work program, covering sensitive topics, with a particular focus on addressing and preventing childhood trauma.

By: Isaac Drandic

Image courtesy of JUTE Theatre Company

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MANdala | NorthSite Contemporary Arts

(EXHIBITION)
12 May to 24 June 2023

MANdala is an establishment of a sacred space, a focusing of attention, a symbol of the universe and a meditative representation of higher thought.

By: Geoffrey Schmidt

Image: Geoffrey Schmidt, MANdala N016., 2022, giclee print on canvas, 75cm x75cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

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Waanji Away | NorthSite Contemporary Arts

(EXHIBITION)
8 May to 24 June 2023

NorthSite presents the exhibition Waanji Away by Jack Wilkie Jans.

By: Jack Wilkie-Jans

Image: Jack Wilkie-Jans, Weipa Sunrise (Albatross Bay), detail, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 76cm x 5cm

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scattered massive | NorthSite Contemporary Arts

(EXHIBITION)
24 April to 17 June 2023

scattered massive presents a collection of work that is about the practice of drawing. Grounded in everyday or found material, crayon, house paint, spray paint, sand, textile; the work approaches drawing as a process of spontaneous object making. It is influenced by ambiguity, mood and poetry.

By: John Pagnozzi

Image: John Pagnozzi, FIOURRI 2, 2022, acrylic, sand, spray paint, oil pastel, calico. 68 x 74 cm. Photo: Michael Marzik

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Exploring Giant Molecules | NorthSite Contemporary Arts

(EXHIBITION)
28 April to 17 June 2023

Exploring Giant Molecules is the largest solo exhibition to date of Queensland artist Sandra Selig, bringing together key examples of her interdisciplinary projects from the past two decades.

By: Sandra Selig

Image: Sandra Selig, Colour is the sound of light, 2022. Spun polyester thread, nails, acrylic paint. 300 x 446 x 359 cm. Installation view, USC Art Gallery. Photo Carl Warner. Courtesy the artist, Milani Gallery, Brisbane and Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney.

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Meet our Tenants

Acknowledgement of Country

Arts and Heritage acknowledges the Traditional Owners and pays respects to Elders, past, present and future.