The ACT’s indigenous arts sector has been boosted with the appointment of a reference group to establish the new ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Space at the Kingston Arts Precinct.

The members of the group will include Nancy Bamaga, Simon Carmichael, Vanessa Elliot, Juanita Kelly-Mundine, Shilo McNamee, Violet Sheridan and Kim Walker, with Samantha Faulkner chairing and Tina Baum as deputy chair.

The reference group will guide the design of the dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Space and establish the organisation’s name, vision, structure and operating principles, as well as business and strategic plans.

Arts Minister Tara Cheyne, also announced that eight local indigenous artists would receive a share of more than $100,000 in funding under the ACT government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  Cultural Arts Program, which was launched last year.

Among the recipients, Ngunnawal Elder Violet Sheridan will receive $15,000 to draft an autobiographical manuscript with the support of a professional writer, for her project Roots Reclaimed: A Journey of Identity, Family and Ngunnawal Heritage.

Aidan Hartshorn, who with Canberra Glassworks, fabricated 16 diamond-shaped glass shields, suspended in space, has been awarded $15,000, for a glass mentorship to develop works focused on Walgalu Country for his project Water Futures.

Emma Laverty will receive $15,000 to work on the development of a performance by the Project Dust cultural dance group.

Tjanara Goreng Goreng and Paul Collis will be awarded $10,000 to assist in facilitating two community sessions on poetry writing and a showcase of poetry through performance.