Bulmba-ja opens with a welcome to the Far North Queensland community.
- 2 Mar 2020
Bulmba-ja Welcome Day and performance – 29 February 2020
BULMBA-JA (pron:) Bull’m-ba-jarOn 29 February Bulmba-ja presented a community day of events and a special evening performance to mark the art centre's official opening. Bulmba-ja, meaning ‘house’ or ‘place’, provides a unique arts and cultural facility for Cairns and the region, placing focus on supporting the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and organisations.
Bulmba-ja is a place that houses local arts organisations including JUTE Theatre Company, Miriki Performing Arts, NorthSite Contemporary Arts and the Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts. Bulmba-ja offers spaces for the arts and cultural sector and community to come together to develop and present important new work, and for visitors to engage with meaningful arts experiences.
Queensland Government has invested $5.9 million to redevelop the former Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns into Bulmba-ja. The building design, led by TPG Architects, was informed by consultation with the arts and cultural sector and the broader community, with generous input by representatives from Traditional Owner groups including Yidinji and Yirrganydji groups.
The opening night performance highlighted the unique, diverse stories and extraordinary talents of far north Queensland artists including those who call Bulmba-ja home, and those who will continue to be a part of the vibrant community who gather there.
Presenters/Performers
- Henrietta Marrie
- Jeanette Singleton
- David Mundraby
- Minjil Dancers
- Yirrganydji Dancers
- JUTE Theatre Company
- NorthSite Contemporary Arts
- Mau Power
- Miriki Performing Arts
- Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts
- NiteVision Choir
Photography: Marc McCormack