Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

{{short description|Museum of Aboriginal Australian culture}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox museum |name = Tandanya |image = |coordinates = {{coord|-34.9241|138.6105|display=inline}} |established = 1989 |location = 253 [[Grenfell Street, Adelaide|Grenfell Street]], Adelaide, South Australia |director = Brenz Saunders |website = {{URL|https://www.tandanya.com.au/}} }} The '''Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute''', usually referred to as '''Tandanya''', is an [[art museum]] and performance space located on [[Grenfell Street, Adelaide|Grenfell Street]] in [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]. It specialises in promoting [[Indigenous Australian art]], including visual art, [[Indigenous Australian music|music]], and [[storytelling]], and has been used as a venue for [[Adelaide Fringe]] performances. It is the oldest [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]]-owned and -run cultural centre in Australia. It has been closed for building repairs since May 2023 and is due to reopen in February 2026.

==Naming== {{see also|Tarndanyangga}} The institute derives its name from ''Tarndanya'',<ref>[http://kaurnaplacenames.com/primary.php?id=4625 "Tarndanya"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183915/http://kaurnaplacenames.com/primary.php?id=4625 |date=3 March 2016 }}, KaurnaPlaceNames.com. Retrieved 2009-09-09.</ref> the [[Kaurna]] Aboriginal people's name for the [[Adelaide city centre]] and [[Adelaide park lands|parklands]] area, meaning "place of the [[red kangaroo]]".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.southaustralia.com/9000708.aspx | title=South Australia - National Aboriginal Cultural Institute - Tandanya | accessdate=2007-12-19 | archive-date=4 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104000805/http://www.southaustralia.com/9000708.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>

==History== Tandanya is the oldest Aboriginal-owned and -run cultural centre in Australia,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/San/public/%7B8C7D39AE-98E3-440F-9E08-6E5237297003%7D/hansard20010221dutoitemery/hansard20010221dutoitemery/html/hansard20010221dutoitemery_2.htm | title=Official Hansard Report - Parliament of South Australia Environment, Resources and Development Committee, 21 February 2001 | accessdate=2007-12-19 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819023004/http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/San/public/%7B8C7D39AE-98E3-440F-9E08-6E5237297003%7D/hansard20010221dutoitemery/hansard20010221dutoitemery/html/hansard20010221dutoitemery_2.htm | archivedate=19 August 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> opened in 1989. The first exhibition featured artworks on silk created by women from [[Utopia, Northern Territory|Utopia]] in the [[Northern Territory]], entitled ''Utopia — A Picture Story''.<ref name=30th/>

Since then it has hosted a variety of exhibitions and events, including [[Adelaide Fringe]] performances and the national launch of the [[Indigenous Voice to Parliament]]'s Yes campaign in February 2023.<ref name=simmons2023/>

===Building=== It is housed in the old [[Grenfell Street Power Station]] (later a [[TAFE]] college<ref name=adelaidia/>) at the eastern end of Grenfell Street in the [[Adelaide city centre]],<ref name=30th>{{cite web | last=Sutton | first=Malcolm | title=Tandanya resumes 30th year celebrations with a new focus on contemporary art | website=ABC news | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=2 October 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-02/tandanya-resumes-30th-anniversary-celebrations/12720932 | access-date=22 December 2020 | archive-date=17 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017151558/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-02/tandanya-resumes-30th-anniversary-celebrations/12720932 | url-status=live }}</ref> also the office headquarters of the [[South Australian Electric Light and Motive Power Company]]. The original building dates from 1901, but it was extensively modified and rebuilt in 1912–13,<ref name=adelaidia>{{cite web| title=Grenfell Street Power Station| first=James| last=Hunter| website=Adelaidia| url=https://adelaidia.history.sa.gov.au/places/grenfell-street-power-station| access-date=22 December 2020| archive-date=19 November 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119085555/https://adelaidia.history.sa.gov.au/places/grenfell-street-power-station| url-status=live}}</ref> including the [[Palladian]]-style [[facade]].<ref name=adelaidepedia>{{cite web | title=Adelaide Electric Supply Company Power Station | website=Adelaidepedia | url=https://adelaidepedia.com.au/wiki/Adelaide_Electric_Supply_Company_Power_Station | access-date=22 December 2020 | archive-date=22 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222224540/https://adelaidepedia.com.au/wiki/Adelaide_Electric_Supply_Company_Power_Station | url-status=dead }}</ref> The building was [[heritage-listed]] on the [[SA Heritage Register]] in November 1984.<ref>{{cite web| website=SA Heritage Places Database Search| title=Heritage Places [241-259 Grenfell Street Adelaide| url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1334| access-date=23 December 2020| archive-date=16 October 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016191840/https://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1334| url-status=live}}</ref> There is an "Historic Engineering Plaque" on a ground level [[plinth]] just east of the north-east corner of the building, which was dedicated by the [[Institution of Engineers, Australia]], the [[Electricity Trust of South Australia]] and the [[Adelaide City Council]] on 6 April 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 1996 |title=Historic Engineering Marker at the Grenfell Power and East Terrace Converter Stations (Issue 2) |url=https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/report-title/Grenfell_Street_Power_Station_Report.pdf |publisher=[[Institution of Engineers, Australia]]. SA Division. Engineering Heritage Branch |access-date=23 December 2020 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322232742/https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/report-title/Grenfell_Street_Power_Station_Report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The building is owned by the [[Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966|Aboriginal Lands Trust]].<ref name=newceo/>

====Building repairs==== The building has been subject to many closures since 2020, not only during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia|COVID-19 pandemic]], but also owing to numerous maintenance problems. The [[Government of South Australia|state government]] has invested in repairs and renewal of air-conditioning units, [[sprinkler head]]s, internal walls, electrical work, painting, and carpets. In 2023 there were improvements to fire safety components and emergency and exit lighting. It was due to re-open in January 2025, after "temporary" closure in April 2023.<ref name=simmons2024>{{cite web |title='Visibly tired' and closed Tandanya to reopen after repairs |website=[[InDaily]]| first=David|last=Simmons |date=12 July 2024 |url=https://www.indaily.com.au/arts-culture/2024/07/12/visibly-tired-and-closed-tandanya-to-reopen-after-repairs |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> The [[Peter Malinauskas|Malinauskas government]] contributed {{AUD|780,000}} towards the repair and upgrade work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tandanya to reopen thanks to significant investment by the State Government |website=Premier of South Australia |date=12 July 2024 |url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/tandanya-to-reopen-thanks-to-significant-investment-by-the-state-government |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>

Discussions have taken place over several years about the new [[Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre]] (AACC; aka Tarrkarri Centre for First Nations Cultures) as part of the [[Lot Fourteen]] precinct on [[North Terrace, Adelaide|North Terrace]];<ref name=sutton112020>{{cite web | last=Sutton | first=Malcolm | title=Funding for Adelaide's second Aboriginal art and cultural centre boosted to $200 million | website=ABC News | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=11 November 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-11/aboriginal-art-and-cultures-centre-funded-with-200-million/12872256 | access-date=22 December 2020 | archive-date=20 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120180614/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-11/aboriginal-art-and-cultures-centre-funded-with-200-million/12872256 | url-status=live }}</ref> however, a decision on Tarrkarri was still pending in October 2025 as the government sought major philanthropic funding for the new site.<ref name=newceo/><ref name=simmons2024/>

The building closed temporarily in April 2023<ref name=simmons2024/> for repairs and a major refurbishment, and is now due to reopen in February 2026. The state government provided funding of $780,000 for repairs, which included replacement of air-conditioning units and sprinkler heads, repair work on internal walls, electrical work, interior painting, and replacement of carpets.<ref name=newceo>{{cite web | title=New CEO plots rebirth after two-year Tandanya shutdown | first=David|last= Simmons| website=[[InDaily]] | date=24 October 2025 | url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/in-depth/2025/10/24/new-ceo-plots-rebirth-after-two-year-tandanya-shutdown | access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref>

==Governance, funding, and functions== Management of the building and land on which Tandanya is located come under the ''[[Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966]]'', while its operations as an organisation fall within the state [[Minister for Arts (South Australia)|Minister for Arts]] portfolio area. The building is very old, and large parts of the building and sometimes the whole building have been closed to the public in recent years (2020s) owing to maintenance needs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Question: Tandanya |website=Tammy Franks |date=8 Feb 2024 |url=https://www.tammyfranks.org.au/question_tandanya |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>

The core activities of Tandanya, as listed in its 2015-6 Annual Report, were: visual arts (exhibitions program); performing arts (events, theatre and performances); community arts (public art); cultural performances and information; school education activities; cultural and artistic tours; Indigenous infused café; Gallery Shop retailing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander artworks. The centre was then governed by a 10-member board of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and residing in South Australia. A [[chief executive officer]] is responsible for its day-to-day operations.<ref name=AR2015-6/> The 2021/2022 annual report showed a loss of $284,000, due to ageing infrastructure and therefore not being able to host Adelaide Fringe events, COVID-19 restrictions, gaps in the workforce, and other reasons.<ref name=simmons2023>{{cite web |title='Significant' issues behind 'visibly tired' and closed Tandanya|first=David| last=Simmons |website=[[InDaily]] |date=31 August 2023 |url=https://www.indaily.com.au/news/2023/08/31/significant-staff-issues-behind-visibly-tired-tandanya-closed |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>

Funding of Tandanya was formerly through the federal government arts funding body [[Australia Council for the Arts]] (now Creative Australia)<ref name=AR2015-6/> on a four-yearly cycle, including in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=65 arts organisations lose funding from Australia Council |website=ArtsHub Australia |date=13 May 2016 |url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/65-arts-organisations-lose-funding-from-australia-council-251271-2352359/ |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> In May 2020, two months after closure owing to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia]], the organisation was informed that it would no longer receive funding through the Australia Council.<ref name=Skujins2020>{{cite web |last=Skujins |first=Angela |title=Despite 2020, Tandanya will survive |website=[[CityMag]] |date=17 September 2020 |url=https://citymag.indaily.com.au/culture/despite-2020-tandanya-will-survive/ |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> Other funding has come in through use of the building as a venue for [[Adelaide Fringe]] performances, various grants and other funding avenues, and its two streams of paid membership (Friends of Tandanya, non-Indigenous people; and paid membership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of Tandanya, which also gives them a voice in the running of Tandanya, and the ability to nominate to become a board member).<ref name=Skujins2020/>

===People=== Dennis Stokes was CEO from mid-2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safilm.com.au/first-nations-screen-strategy/|title=First Nations Screen Strategy 2020-2025|website=[[SAFC]]|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628163350/https://www.safilm.com.au/first-nations-screen-strategy/|url-status=live}}</ref> until June 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stamm |first=Wayne |title=The FNMA's new CEO moves in at the end of this month |website=RadioInfo Australia |date=23 June 2021 |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/fnmas-new-ceo-moves-end-month/ |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Kirstie Parker]] on an interim basis until late January 2022, when Nancia Guivarra took on the role as acting CEO. Phillip Saunders took over as interim CEO<ref name=simmons2023/> sometime before February 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Skujins |first=Angela |title=The voices behind the Voice |website=[[CityMag]] |date=28 February 2023 |url=https://citymag.indaily.com.au/happening/the-voices-behind-the-voice/ |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>

As of September 2024, Phillip Saunders and Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin were co-CEOs. Buckskin was appointed artistic director<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet our team |website=Tandanya |url=https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-board |access-date=30 September 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250613063250/https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-board| archive-date= 13 June 2025| url-status=live}}</ref> in April 2024.<ref name=simmons2024/>

In September 2025, Brenz Saunders (no relation to Phillip) was appointed CEO.<ref name=newceo/> He was previously chairperson of [[Tauondi Aboriginal College]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Meet the team | website=Tandanya | url=https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-meet-our-team | access-date=24 October 2025| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251024053214/https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-meet-our-team | archive-date= 24 October 2025| url-status=live}}</ref>

{{as of|October 2025}} the board was headed by chair Aaron Ken, with Lila Berry as deputy chair. Other board members were Celia Coulthard, Tapaya Edwards, Eddie Newchurch, Neville Rankine, and [[Daniel Riley (dancer)|Daniel Riley]] (of [[Australian Dance Theatre]]).<ref name=boardoct2025>{{cite web | title=Board | website=tandanya | date=1 January 1970 | url=https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-board-1 | access-date=24 October 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251024055702/https://www.tandanya.com.au/copy-of-board-1 | archive-date= 24 October 2025| url-status=live}}</ref>

==21st-century activities== The centre runs programs and performances as part of [[NAIDOC Week]].<ref name=AR2015-6>{{cite web|url=https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/29db63_82c5cf71ad56417aaf7c545caa3f0f11.pdf|title=National Aboriginal Cultural Institute Ministerial Annual Report 2015-2016|website=Tandanya|issn=2207-0109|accessdate=26 April 2019|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426081353/https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/29db63_82c5cf71ad56417aaf7c545caa3f0f11.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2015 the centre has hosted the annual Art Fair, part of the [[Tarnanthi]] Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art each year.<ref name=SMH2017>{{cite news|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/review-tarnanthi-festival-of-contemporary-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-island-art-20171031-gzbh9n.html|title=Review: Tarnanthi, Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Art|first=John|last=Mcdonald|date=31 October 2017|accessdate=26 April 2019|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426064202/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/review-tarnanthi-festival-of-contemporary-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-island-art-20171031-gzbh9n.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has also been the venue of many [[Adelaide Fringe]] performances.<ref name=Skujins2020/>

In 2020, with its 30th-anniversary celebrations interrupted by being forced to close for over six months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia]], Tandanya re-opened in October with an exhibition called ''Atnwengerrp — Our Apmere, Our Place'', which included the work of five of the original women whose work was shown in the first ever exhibition at the gallery.<ref name=30th/> During its closure, the space was used to create ''Still Stylin' 2020'' a seven-minute musical [[video montage]] featuring reworked songs by [[Christine Anu]]. Directed by [[Larrakia people|Larrakia]] rapper [[Jimblah]], it featured First Nations dancers, rappers, and artists, performing in Tandanya and on country.<ref name=Skujins2020/>

{{anchor|treaty}} On 13 November 2020, as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, the centre hosted a new music festival called TREATY, featuring established and emerging First Nations musicians from South Australia. Performers included [[J-Milla]], [[Sonz of Serpent]], [[Dem Mob]], RKM ([[Rulla Kelly-Mansell]]), [[Tilly Tjala Thomas]], MRLN ([[Marlon Motlop]]) and [[Katie Aspel]], with [[Natasha Wanganeen]] sharing the presenting with J-Milla.<ref>{{cite web | title=Looking forward to NAIDOC Week: things to do | website=ArtsHub Australia | date=6 November 2020 | url=https://www.artshub.com.au/2020/11/06/looking-forward-to-naidoc-week-things-to-do-261369/ | access-date=29 August 2021 | archive-date=29 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829082300/https://www.artshub.com.au/2020/11/06/looking-forward-to-naidoc-week-things-to-do-261369/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Following its reopening after a major refurbishment in February 2026, in collaboration with the Adelaide Fringe hub Gluttony (located over the road in [[Rymill Park|Rymill Park/Mullawirraburka]]), Tandanya will host performances in a special program featuring 55 per cent Indigenous cast and crew. A return of the Spirit Festival – a defunct festival of Indigenous culture – is planned, along with more events for the Aboriginal community.<ref name=newceo/>

==Collection== Tandanya has a collection of around 3000 pieces, including paintings, artefacts, wood carvings, ancient stones, spear tips, and [[ochre]]-making stones. However, [[provenance]] has not been established, as the institute was not set up as a collector, and a thorough audit needs to be done.<ref name=newceo/>

==See also== * [[List of music museums]] *[[Tarndanyangga]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.tandanya.com.au/ Official website]

[[Category:Art museums and galleries in South Australia]] [[Category:Arts in Adelaide]] [[Category:Australian Aboriginal art]] [[Category:Museums in Adelaide]] [[Category:Organisations serving Indigenous Australians]] [[Category:Art museums and galleries established in 1989]] [[Category:1989 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Culture of Adelaide]]