The Northern Territory is a unique place with a vibrant arts and cultural community. Since 1994, not-for-profit organisation Artback NT have led the development of visual and performing arts exhibitions, traditional Indigenous dance, and music, by the many talented artists and creative groups working within the region, taking it out to audiences Australia-wide using the innovations of its arts touring model.
The team of dedicated Indigenous and non-Indigenous arts sector professionals and creatives are devoted to making extraordinary art-rich things happen. We spoke to Visual Arts Development Manager, Jo Foster and Visual Arts Touring Manager, Neridah Stockley about their roles within the organisation, what makes Artback NT thrive, and taking artists projects beyond Australia’s borders.
Jo Foster begins by telling us what is at the heart of Artback NT’s collective vision, she says:
Building a vibrant and robust arts ecology that nurtures, showcases and promotes the diverse creative talents of the Northern Territory is what drives Artback NT’s collective vision. There is a strong grassroots and community development core to our working process with an emphasis on fostering sustainable pathways for practitioners and long-term strategic partnerships. We are driven by a love of the arts and a keen sense of its fundamental role in nourishing a healthy, reflective and inclusive society.
What does your job as Visual Arts Development Manager entail, and what inspires you the most about this work?
I work closely with Territory-based creatives, community groups and organisations to develop exhibitions for tour to national audiences. Refining or packaging an existing exhibition or growing the kernel of an idea into a new exhibition in a spirit of cross-mentoring and exchange. It’s a fertile process. Creating pathways and enhancing career opportunities is central to this role, and I love working with artists and curators to hone their visions and showcase their work. Developing quality visual arts experiences connects people, communities and artworks in a web of possibilities, giving voice to diverse ideas, perspectives and worldviews. It’s a juicy intellectual, creatively stimulating and celebratory space I am passionate about.

Claire Freer, locally sourced clay, pit fired, 2021, dimensions various. Courtesy the artist and Artback NT, Northern Territory
Artback NT plays a significant role in the presentation of Aboriginal arts and culture from the region; how does the organisation’s involvement enrich the lives of both the local and wider-reaching communities?
It is a particular joy to work with Aboriginal artists and arts organisations across the Northern Territory. An understanding of Country and an appreciation and recognition of First Nations perspectives and experiences is essential to a respectful shared future. The arts have played a pivotal role in facilitating candid dialogue and in providing a platform for First Nations voices and visibility in Australia. Artback NT works closely with artists and art centres in remote communities to support their broad aspirations and to advance meaningful community-led exchange.
Can you tell us about Artback NT’s more recent vision to create opportunities for NT artists on the international stage?
Following a successful national tour, the Visual Arts program is currently working with an organisation in the USA to tour ‘Balnhdhurr, a lasting impression’, an exhibition celebrating the wealth of printmaking from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Art Centre at Yirrkala in North East Arnhem land. We are also looking to build partnerships to bring the exhibition ‘Still in my mind: Gurindji location, experience and visuality’, curated by Brenda L Croft and currently touring nationally, to an international audience. In recognition of the Top End’s proximity to South East Asia, the Performing Arts program has a fantastic history of facilitating exchanges, residencies and projects between artists from Cambodia and Taiwan. There are opportunities to deepen and broaden our connection with international audiences.
Neridah, can you tell us about your role as Visual Arts Touring Manager? What does it involve, and what excites you about it?
Ultimately, I enjoy promoting the artistic and cultural diversity of the Northern Territory to local, national and international audiences, sharing from remote Australia. The program offers various development and pathway opportunities for artists at different stages of their careers; emerging and established. Our exhibition projects take on average two years of development before touring commences. Mounting an exhibition requires supporting artists and art centres to be tour-ready, including securing artworks, loan agreements, touring itineraries, packing objects and providing installation material and documentation for gallery partners across the country.

Printmaking workshop with Kaya Munuggurr and Bitharr Maymuru at Nyinnka Nyunku Art and Culture Centre, Tennant Creek, for ‘Balnhdhurr – A Lasting Impression’. Courtesy Artback NT, Northern Territory
What are the challenges of coordinating and delivering exhibitions around the county? How do the logistics differ between remote, regional and metropolitan touring destinations?
Ensuring our exhibitions are protected and cared for across multiple venues and whilst in transit is key. Galleries have varying levels of capacity to install exhibitions; some are quite complex, requiring on the ground install support from Artback NT. A touring itinerary needs to be logical and seamless in its movement from one gallery to the next, with achievable installation and pack down timeframes.
How have COVID-19 restrictions impacted on the development and presentation of Artback NT exhibitions and projects since 2020?
Artback NT continues to develop exhibitions for touring despite the changing environment of COVID-19. Galleries are still programming Artback NT exhibitions, so we all continue to work with optimism in the sector. However, some galleries are reluctant to program due to the uncertainty of their internal budgets due to COVID-19. 2021 impacted the touring program with the extended lockdowns interstate, with some venues unable to show exhibitions or reduced showings. With the few and brief lockdowns in the Northern Territory, Artback NT has still been able to deliver exhibitions and public programs to local audiences.
As we approach 2022 with renewed hope and freedom to explore the world beyond our own front door, what does Artback NT have in store for audiences next year?
After a successful NT Tour, ‘Groundswell: recent movements within art and territory’, curated by Carmen Ansaldo commences national touring in January 2022. Carmen is a recipient of Artback NT’s SPARK NT Curator program. The program supports and enables an emerging Curator to realise an exhibition project. The exhibition addresses the intensifying crisis of Australia’s water supply, with a particular focus on the Northern Territory. ‘Groundswell’ will tour to regional galleries in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.
‘Clay on Country’ is an exhibition we have in development that will open in July 2022 at Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. The exhibition will coincide with the Australian Ceramics Triennale: ‘Apmere Mparntwe (Place/Alice Springs)’. ‘Clay on Country’ will showcase approximately 30 ceramicists from Central Australia including Ernabella Arts and The Hermannsburg Potters. We are working towards securing a national tour for the exhibition.