Carriageworks appoints new director of First Nations Programs

Narangga and Kaurna man Jacob Boehme has been announced as director of First Nations Programs at Sydney’s multi-arts precinct Carriageworks. “As the arts and cultural sector, its artists and organisations navigate this time of transition and change,” says Boehme, “it is as much an exciting opportunity as it is challenging to reimagine what our futures might look like. I look forward to working alongside my communities, Elders and colleagues to develop and deliver a new era of First Nations arts and cultural Programs at Carriageworks.”

With more than 20 years’ experience as an artistic director, writer and producer, as well as a performer and choreographer, Boehme comes to the job with an impressive slew of prior experiences in the Australian art scene. After graduating from NAISDA and the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as the British Council and Australia Council ACCELERATE Indigenous Leaders Program, Boehme was the founding creative director of Yirramboi Festival, City of Melbourne from 2016 to 2019 and is currently artistic director for the Wild Dog project through Country Arts SA and Art Gallery of South Australia premiering at the upcoming Tarnanthi Festival.

As an artist in his own right, Boehme’s solo work Blood on the Dance Floor received the 2017 Green Room Award Best Independent Production and he was recipient of the 2018 Australia Council for the Arts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship.

“We are delighted to welcome Jacob as our director, First Nations Programs, a new role within Carriageworks that is focused on leading the development of First Nations artistic and cultural strategies,” says Carriageworks CEO Blair French. “Jacob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, which he will draw upon to develop and deliver programs of First Nations work across multiple artforms as well as fostering professional and community relationships.”

The new role at Carriageworks demonstrates the precinct’s continued commitment to First Nations artistic practices and culture. With Boehme at the helm, we can be sure to expect an exciting and diverse program.

This article was originally published 30 September 2021.

Image: Jacob Boehme performing his work Blood on the Dance Floor. Photo: Dorine Blaise. Courtesy: the artist and Carriageworks, Sydney.