Ku Arts and JamFactory with Creative Australia
Kurdinthi (gur din dee), a Kaurna word meaning to surround or make a circle, was a national gathering celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fibre and weaving practices.
Held on Kaurna Yerta (Adelaide) from 5–7 September 2025, Kurdinthi: National First Nations Weaving Symposium brought together 89 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander weaver delegates from metropolitan, regional and remote communities across Australia.
The symposium was instigated and funded by Creative Australia and delivered through a culturally led partnership between Ku Arts and JamFactory, with guidance from a national advisory committee of senior weavers, curators and cultural leaders.
Across three days, 216 attendees engaged with the program through gatherings, workshops, panel talks, exhibitions and film screenings. Thirty two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers presented, and eight workshops sold out, indicating strong demand for dedicated First Nations led spaces for knowledge sharing and professional connection.
Beyond the symposium, Kurdinthi generated ongoing professional outcomes, including four exhibitions, two First Nations curator mentorships, and an ICIP focused session supporting artists to protect cultural knowledge. Exhibitions and the marketplace generated $68,000 in fibre art sales, supporting economic participation for artists.
Evaluation results showed overwhelmingly positive impacts, with over 90 per cent of participants reporting increased knowledge, inspiration and professional connections. Participant feedback highlighted strong professional, cultural and personal impacts.
Evonne Munuyngu from Bula’bula Arts sharing Yolngu Pandanas weaving techniques at the Weavers’ Day. Photos by Keith Gilbey-Warrior.
Why this matters
Kurdinthi strengthened the visibility, sustainability and future of First Nations weaving practice in Australia. By centring cultural authority, co leadership and artist wellbeing, the symposium created a dedicated space for knowledge sharing, professional connection and cultural continuity. The outcomes demonstrate the value of First Nations led gathering models in strengthening cultural practice, supporting creative economies and contributing to the development of future artists.
Your weaving is more than craft- it’s culture, alive, personal and powerful. Every basket, every mat, every form is a story, your story, of family, of country, of connection.
- Lavene Ngatokorua, Director, Ku Arts – Opening Address
It was life-changing to be with so many weavers together.
— Participant survey response
Partnerships
The symposium was instigated and funded by Creative Australia. The partnership between Ku Arts and JamFactory provided a model of co leadership that was culturally led, community grounded and artist centred.
The name Kurdinthi was given to Ku Arts by Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi, with thanks to Uncle Lewis O’Brien, Uncle Mickey O’Brien and Kaurna cultural leaders.
To deliver a rich program of events for weavers and public audiences, Ku Arts partnered with Yipti Yartapuultiku, Light Square Gallery / Adelaide College of the Arts (TAFE SA), The Mercury and Nexus Arts.
A Place to Create ambition
South Australia has strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic, cultural and creative leadership.
Delivery Plan action
This activity aligns with Action 1.4.1 of the A Place to Create Delivery Plan 2025–27: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural hubs as safe spaces for collaboration and strengthening community.
