Australia
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Our Art & Culture Centre was officially opened June 2008 in Ali Curung, Northern Territory. Ali Curung is a remote community within the local government area of Barkly in the Northern Territory, it is located 4 hours
(377.5 km) north of Alice Springs and has a sealed road access from the Stuart Highway. Ali Curung has a small population of 494 people. The art centre operates to support traditional culture and generate new art practices. The traditional owners of this land belong to Kaytetye language group with Alyawarr, Warlpiri and Warumungu being the three other language groups that form the community. The Art and Culture Centre’s members feel strongly that being able to paint and make traditional artefacts keeps the local culture strong for future generations.
Charity Work
DIY and building projects
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Working/Volunteering in a remote Aboriginal art centre is a unique experience. You will be in contact with the artists everyday, learn about life in a remote community, discover the local culture and traditions. Your contribution will also be a great value to the community as it will offer a wonderful cultural exchange. You can develop a personal project during your free time and the art centre will be happy to support you if it aligns with our activities.
Working Holiday Visa Subclass 462 holders working with us for at least one month can count this experience as part of their specified work period.
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
We are looking for art studio assistants and general help at the art centre. Your mission will include: supporting the artists in their everyday work, cleaning and organising the art studio, gallery and accommodation, assisting the elderly/disabled artists, mixing the paint, preparing sandwiches for the artists, documenting the artworks, collecting artists' stories, selling artworks in the local gallery and preparing orders.
For those who have specific skills, we can also use some help with gardening (mostly bush tucker and desert flowers) at the art gallery and art studio, IT and digital design, social media, general maintenance of the buildings, fixing the fences, chopping wood in the bush to make artefacts, metalwork, construction work on our traditional dance site, etc. There is also room for some researchers profiles.
You will be working 5h/day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Thursday with one hour lunch break. You will get paid the minimum wage and get free accommodation.
To get paid, you will have to spend at least one month with us. If you want a shorter experience, you are very welcome and you will have to contact us through our website. We will still provide the accommodation and you will get a sandwich for lunch during the work days.
We are looking for people who are self-motivated, show initiative, are willing to take instruction, and who can work with or without supervision.
You don't need to be an art expert to apply as you will get training upon arrival. The key is motivation, curiosity and openness.
Be aware that life in community can be challenging and close to life in a third world country so you have to be ready to experience a strong and life-changing adventure.
There are important cultural sensitivities that you need to understand and respect.These include not entering certain areas in and around the community, wearing appropriate clothes and requesting permission to take photographs. These rules are strictly enforced by the elders in the community and local authority members.
Ali Curung is a DRY COMMUNITY. IT IS FORBIDDEN TO BRING , CONSUME OR PURCHASE ALCOHOL OR ANY OTHER DRUG in the community. Doing so would not only put you at risk but the entire community as well. This policy is strictly enforced by the local police.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
Please contact them directly for more information.
Fully equipped studio at the art centre or shared house. Couples or friends travelling together will have to share the same room. We accept a maximum of two people at a time. Internet access at the art centre only. For unpaid volunteers contacting us through our website and staying for less than one month, we offer a sandwich for lunch during the workdays. There is a little shop and a bakery in the community where you can purchase basic supplies. There is also a local farm organising a market in town every friday morning. Be aware that buying stuff in here can be quiet expensive, especially fresh food. The cheapest option is to buy the maximum in town (Alice Springs or Tennant Creek) before you arrive.
You will not need a permit to enter the community if you come and work/volunteer at the art centre. It is better for you to have your own car to fully enjoy the visit of the place but it is not necessary. We have a bush bus coming in the community a couple of times a week. We are part of a beautiful trail comprising Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), the Davenport ranges and Barrow Creek. There are some really nice spots to discover around but make sure to check if you have permission to visit them, as you are not allowed to go to the sacred sites without the permission of an elder in the community. Just 30 minutes drive away (60 km) you can enjoy nice drinks (alcohol included) and meals at the Devils Marbles hotel. They have an amazing outdoor space where you can meet local people and travellers.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Digital nomads are very welcome. During your free time, from 3pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, you can get a desk at the art gallery to work on your personal projects. If your personal projects are linked to the art centre activities, we will support you in your creative process.
Depending on the size of the vehicle, we can organise parking at the shared house.
Dogs are welcome. Life here can be dangerous for other animals, make sure you to address the issue before you come.
Two
20h/week
