Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum

Client: Pilbara Development Commission

Tarruru developed the Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum as a proposed multi-day event designed to catalyse the next phase of growth in the region’s creative and cultural sectors. Through keynote presentations, case studies, interactive Idea Labs, workshops, and cultural showcases, the Forum aims to co-design a new five-year Pilbara Creative and Cultural Strategy, strengthen the regional creative economy, and position arts and culture as central to community wellbeing, economic diversification, and cultural tourism in the Pilbara.

International Market Development Strategy and Plan

Client: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Tarruru is working on delivering an international market development plan detailing the trajectory of Western Australian Aboriginal art and design product within the global art market. This spans both physical and digital platforms, placing a strong emphasis on cultivating a lasting international market presence. We are exploring how to integrate an investment approach that is tailored to bolster and optimise export opportunities and the investment required by government and industry to sustain market presence long term.

  • Concept/Copy writing/Strategy/ Art Direction/ Design/ Content/Data Visualisation

Public Art and Cultural Tourism in the Pilbara Strategy

Client: Pilbara Development Commission

Tarruru is delivering a strategic vision for the development of public art within the Pilbara as the case study. Through comprehensive research of international and national public art initiatives that have demonstrated collective impact; we are developing a feasibility and case study to analyse and evidence the investment required to catalyse the commercial growth of the arts and cultural tourism industry in Western Australia. The strategy outline key investments required for sector infrastructure, workforce, and resourcing.

  • Concept/Copy writing/Strategy/Planning/ Art Direction/ Design/ Content Strategy/ Data Visualisation

Wayfinding Signage Strategy

Client: COX Architecture

Tarruru was engaged by Cox Architecture to work on a Artwork and Wayfinding Strategy. This included curatorial, design, artistic and cultural development visioning. We worked collaboratively with artists, landscape architect and cultural custodians on a distinctive and unique approach being implemented by the architectural team.

  • Art Direction/ Design/ Visualisation

Aboriginal Journey-Ways: How Ancient Trails Shaped our Roads

Client: Main Roads WA & Edith Cowan University  

Dr Nannup OAM and Dr Robertson with Main Roads engaged Tarruru to conceptualise the creative direction, design and curation of the publication Aboriginal Journey ways: How Ancient Trails Shaped our Roads. The project explores the relationship between Aboriginal journey pathways through time and the roadways of Western Australia.

  • The book was developed with Edith Cowan University as part of the author’s Koodjal Jinnung (looking both ways) research method that explored synergy between traditional Aboriginal knowledge and contemporary social and natural sciences. Tarruru developed a series of concepts in response to the text and the concept of Koodjal Jinnung. The intention was for artwork in the publication to provide a glimpse into the cultural riches of Western Australia’s historic and contemporary Aboriginal art movement. Artwork was sourced from a range of private and public collections including the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia, art centres and private estates. The Copyright Agency provided licenses. Historic photographs were researched and used with permission from Main Roads Library and State Library of Western Australia.

    Tarruru also provided copy-writing for the introduction and forewords of the publication.

    “This captivating coffee-table book explores the State from the Kimberley to the Eucla, from Gaambera country in the far north to Noongar country in the south-west and tells the story of the roads and trails of WA.

    The details of these journey ways are depicted in clear maps, but what makes the book stand out for me is the lavish illustrations of Aboriginal art and glorious photos from many parts.” - Book Reviewer

    Concept/Copy writing/ Licensing/ Agreements/ Art Direction/ Design/ Content Strategy/ Data Visualisation

Tarruru was appointed by the Western Australian County Health Service (WACHS) through the Percent for Art panel to design a public art strategy and deliver the public art component of the Newman Health Service. A series of internal and external artworks will be revealed in mid- 2023. We researched how the social and cultural benefits of artworks within the public areas of medical care centres can support the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

Newman Health Service, Public Art Strategy and Implementation

Client: Western Australian Country Health Service  

  • Our Public Art Consultation and Engagement Strategy was based on data indicating the importance of integrating Aboriginal culture into the care setting to bolster care delivery and outcomes. We developed overarching strategies which could be implemented across the project and informed by the best practice principles of Aboriginal cultural engagement. We led workshops with staff to engage with their views on the role of art in hospitals. Workshop findings and highlights were presented to the Chief Executive Officer of WACHS.The public art outcomes by Martumili Artists, Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC) and independent artist’s celebrate the East Pilbara.

    “As a hospital physio it would improve physio experience to utilise art in a targeted way, such as, mini art tours as exercise routes, which would likely increase the capacity of clients to extend their physio journey.”- Workshop participant

    “Culturally appropriate art would improve the mental health of patients and aid staff in bettering their experience at the hospital
.”- Workshop participant

    Concept Development/Strategic Planning/Vision/Research/Graphic Design/ Editorial & Print Copywriting/Communications

Product Development Project, Strategic & Business Plans

Client: Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA)

Tarruru is working with the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA) to design and develop a suite of art centre products, whilst identifying an overarching framework for product design development and testing of the market. AACHWA, in partnership with a consortium of national peak bodies, government agencies and six art centres have come together to deliver a three-year pilot project.

  • Indigenous art and crafts are intrinsically linked to First Nations peoples’ relationship to Country, language, culture, and identity.As part of the long-term ongoing project we work in collaboration with other consultants and the six pilot art centres. Ultimately, AACHWA describes that ‘the PDP aims to reset the parameters of an existing market and open the door to a new First Nations product industry that is culturally and economically viable, whilst supporting advancements in the art centre model.’

    Concept Development/Strategic Planning/Vision/Research/Graphic Design/ Editorial & Print Copywriting/Communications

Winyama is a company that exists to improve Indigenous engagement and increase the number of Indigenous individuals working in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Industry. Tarruru was engaged to develop the Winyama for purpose strategy and collaboration with staff to articulate the Vision and Mission of the business.

For Purpose Strategy

Client: Winyama

  • The strategy identified the business audience, unique qualities and competitors.The key differentiators drove the communications strategy which was developed to explore how the Winyama brand is best represent through digital and offline channels. We created compelling approaches to maximise Winyama’s for purpose story through a content strategy.

    Concept Development/Strategic Planning/Vision/Research/Graphic Design/ Editorial & Print Copywriting/Communications

NYFL invited Tarruru to develop a strategy to improve perceptions of Roebourne, undertake community engagement and groundwork for a festival in 2022. We developed an original programme of activations, workshops, and events aimed at children to inspire new possibilities, foster collaborations and engagement for children and young people.

Activations & Strategic Plan

Client: Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)

  • We conceptualised the theme ‘out of this world’ as a spark for imagination to speculate on possible alternate futures.

    Tarruru delivered the following to community in Roebourne: award winning Sensorium Theatre presented Whoosh! The ‘Red Air’ installation was shown at Songs for Peace event; Spare Part Puppets up-cycled rubbish to create alien junk creatures and Centre for Stories led two workshops and training of a local story collector. NYFL shone a light on existing cultural and creative initiatives with support of the Juluwarlu Lens, highlighting Juluwarlu’s archive with an innovative street-based installation of artwork adorning the Ganalili Centre.

    Articles and features with a positive focus on Roebourne have been achieved in the Pilbara News, ABC North, The West, National Indigenous Times, and social media channels including Facebook and Instagram.

    NYFL engaged Tarruru to develop a strategy for developing and delivering a Roebourne Cultural Symposia. The document provided a programme based on our working knowledge of the region, discussions with stakeholders, competitor and context analysis.

    We presented a vision for community empowerment, celebration of culture and coalition building that could provide a platform for dialogue around issues that are important for Pilbara Aboriginal people and to highlight the challenges effecting Pilbara Aboriginal people. The central tenants were based on; Advocacy and Leadership, Innovation & Technology, Education & Intergenerational Knowledge, Aboriginal Employment & Economic Development Connections and Relationships. 

    The Symposia was endorsed at the NYFL AGM by community members and board. However, due to risk mitigation around Covid 19 the Symposia was not able to proceed.

    Strategy/ Design/ Research/ Programming/ Creative Direction

    Concept/Graphic Design/ Art Direction/ Copywriting/ Signage/ Curating/ Place-making/Programming

Hearing Histories

Client: University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne’s The Hearing Histories of the Western Pilbara project has been investigating Indigenous song traditions of the western Pilbara through current practice and legacy recordings, and the design of digital interfaces.

  • These songs and musical systems have been used by singers and composers throughout the twentieth century to adapt to and manage the changing social, cultural, and economic environment brought by colonisation and industrial development. Tarruru was tasked with developing a publication; content material and managing a series of commissioned photographs of Tabi singers. The project launch is scheduled for 2023.

    Concept/Graphic Design/ Branding/ Copywriting

Tarruru was engaged to develop a concept for the unique historic port town of Bujee Nhoor-Pu also known as Cossack for NYFL’s submission to Department of Lands, Western Australia. Cossack's heritage value is significant in the built form which is registered on the National Trust of Australia and for its Australian Aboriginal, European and Asian history, as these ethnic groups and cultures were brought together through the pearling industry.

Cossack Strategic Plan & Concept proposal

Client: Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)

  • Our proposal for Cossack was focused on diversification of the regional economy with a concept that included adaptive re-use of existing buildings with boutique luxury accomodation, eco tourism operation and expanding the cultural programming-with retail space for sale of local products including artwork, and bush medicine enterprises. We proposed the site be anchored by a museum honouring the culturally diverse history of the site with a focus on reconciliation. NYFL was chosen as preferred proponent to reactivate Cossack townsite.

    "NYFL have been selected as the preferred proponent for its plan to activate and enhance the Cossack townsite to create a tourist destination with unrivalled visitor experiences.

    "With such a strong cultural connection to the land, existing built heritage assets and a pristine coastal landscape, Cossack will provide a mix of offerings to suit all tourists and interests.

    "Through a diverse mix of cultural and hospitality uses, in addition to leveraging the unique landscape and location of Cossack, we are working to provide economic development and recreation opportunities for the local community.”- Hon Ben Wyatt, Minister for Lands

    Concept Development/Strategic Planning/Vision/Research/Graphic Design/ Editorial & Print Copywriting/Communications

Cultural Producer/Production

Client: Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip

The Western Australia Museum Boola Bardip engaged Tarruru to develop narrative films and storylines for the new museum content. The films are included in permanent displays .