Spinifex Hill Studio - Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027 by FORM WA

Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ABOUT FORM

FORM is an independent, non-profit cultural organisation that drives a vibrant creative economy for the benefit and wellbeing of all Western Australians. With over 40 employees based at locations in Claremont and South Hedland, FORM delivers large-scale cultural programming across Western Australia.

The FORM team is dedicated to enriching the broader community, using creativity as a catalyst to generate economic opportunities, cultural and creative development, and social cohesion. We work to deliver five key strategies: Aboriginal & Islander Partnership; Cultural Development; Creative Learning; Cultural Tourism; and Sector & Community Building.

To realise these strategies, FORM delivers significant, long-term, strategic projects at scale. These include Spinifex Hill Studio; The Pilbara Project; Creative Schools; Scribblers; FORM Gallery & Café; FORM Arts & Cultural Consultancy; The Giants of Mandurah, and many more. Our average annual turnover is approximately $7M per annum.

ABOUT SPINIFEX HILL STUDIO

FORM began a partnership with Spinifex Hill Artists in 2008 when South Hedland-based artists requested help in facilitating community workshops and professional development for the town’s Aboriginal artists. FORM assumed management of Spinifex Hill Studio, and in 2014, a purpose-built studio was realised. The vision was to create a place where Aboriginal artists from across the region could come and paint and share community and culture. The painting practice of the Spinifex Hill Artists is as diverse as the many language groups the collective of over 200 artists represents.

The new Gallery at Spinifex Hill Studio was launched in July 2021 and represents an exciting opportunity to work with the Spinifex Hill Artists to further develop the strategy for the Studio and to also engage the wider community and tourists.

This substantial community empowerment was made possible largely through the long-standing partnership between FORM and BHP, guided by the Spinifex Hill Artists.

FORM is 2 years into a 10-year plan to build sufficient governance, leadership, and management capability to be able to be able to transfer Spinifex Hill Studio back to the Aboriginal community, acknowledging the complexities related to the freehold site, buildings, funding arrangements, etc.

FORM continues the management of Spinifex Hill Studio, implementing the next phases of the 10-year transition plan. This will require an intensive focus on governance and empowerment, supported by innovation, and community engagement for the period July 2024 to June 2032. This renewed vision and focus will significantly increase the positive impact of the initiative for its beneficiaries: the Spinifex Hill Artists; the local Aboriginal Community; and the broader Port Hedland community.

To date, Spinifex Hill Studio has delivered significant economic benefit for the artists working there, with many of the more than 200 artists currently working there totally reliant on the Studio for their income. While this remains an important priority, the new Spinifex Hill Project Space and South Hedland Commons, open up significant opportunities for the local Aboriginal people and the broader community.

FORM has entered a further three-year partnership with BHP to support Spinifex Hill Studio, from July 2024 to June 2027. For the three-year period, the overarching goal of FORM’s work in partnership with Spinifex Hill Artists will be to:

Empower Aboriginal leaders to take on the responsibility of creating sustainable economic, culturally safe, and socially enriching opportunities at Spinifex Hill Studio, promoting intergenerational exchange to be more adaptive and resilient for the future.

Cover image: Artist Doreen Chapman painting, Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland, WA, 2023. Photograph by AB Videography.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT NEEDED

This project addresses core economic and social challenges faced by the Aboriginal community living and working in South Hedland and surrounding region. Specifically, lack of viable and sustainable economic opportunity for Aboriginal people is an ongoing challenge in the South Hedland region, particularly where these communities seek employment that is deeply and meaningfully connected to their cultural identity.

There is a need for initiatives that bolster sustainable employment, agency, and leadership in Aboriginal communities. Education, empowerment and upskilling of local community members is essential for the future sustainability of the Aboriginal community in and around South Hedland.

This project bolsters social and cultural cohesion and wellbeing for the South Hedland community. Specifically addressing a lack of community events, cultural amenity, creative development, and cross-cultural engagement opportunities for the South Hedland community, particularly for youth, which contribute to a lack of community cohesion, diminished community resilience, and increased instances of antisocial behaviour.

LONG-TERM BENEFITS

The long-term flow-on effects of FORM’s work with the Spinifex Hill Artists in Port Hedland are welldocumented. The legacy of reliable, meaningful income for artists and their families improves the outlook of hundreds of Aboriginal people across the Pilbara.

Over the next three-year phase of our work in Port Hedland, FORM intends to build and expand this legacy across four key pillars:

1. Governance at Spinifex Hill will nurture leadership, promote agency, continuously embed cultural protocols, and foster intergenerational exchange. Spinifex Hill Studio’s Aboriginal Council will take on more independence and responsibility over the period.

2. Economic Development and Wealth Creation at Spinifex Hill will go beyond income generation to establish the building blocks of a cultural economy through education and upskilling of Aboriginal people in art centre management and leadership. This includes skills such as art production, business, management, and curation to further build economic agency, empowerment and resilience.

3. Culture and Communities Spinifex Hill will invest efforts into dedicated cultural maintenance programs relevant to the studio context, to help better understand, preserve and promote Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and traditions, support cultural safety, and foster intergenerational exchange.

4. Thriving, empowered communities will see Spinifex Hill become a hub for community and visitor engagement in South Hedland. Events and programming will build cultural awareness in the community, Spinifex will strengthen its position as the premiere cultural tourism attraction in Hedland, contributing to long-term prosperity and resilience.

MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

Spinifex Hill Studio goals and objectives are achieved through FORM’s signature project management approach, which leverages:

• The skills and talents of the Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council, and the highly trained, professionals working at FORM, including the Spinifex Hill Studio staff on ground in Port Hedland, and the broader FORM team.

• Stakeholder buy-in and support; in this instance, the State Government, Town of Port Hedland, other Pilbara Art Centres, the Pilbara Development Commission, Federal Government, arts industry partners, and many others.

• Other complimentary programming and initiatives delivered by FORM in the Pilbara, including, for example, Creative Schools, Scribblers on the Road, and FORM Pilbara.

• Community engagement through a wide variety of channels and activities (online and in person) that speaks to our reputation and brand loyalty.

• Our world-class digital and physical infrastructure

ORGANISATION DETAILS

FORM BUILDING A STATE OF CREATIVITY LIMITED

FORM is an independent, non-profit cultural organisation that exists to be a leader in developing a vibrant creative economy for the benefit and wellbeing of all Western Australian communities. Established as Craftwest in 2000, the organisation was renamed FORM in 2004 and moved from a centre for contemporary craft to the dynamic cultural organisation it is today. With over 40 employees based at locations in Claremont and South Hedland, FORM delivers large-scale cultural programming across Western Australia.

FORM has had a long history of Aboriginal partnership. Since 2008, FORM has been doing dedicated work across the Pilbara region, with their first Pilbara-based team established at the Courthouse Gallery, followed by the team at Spinifex Hill Studio in 2014. Key projects have included, Ngurra Kuju Walyja – One Country One People – The Canning Stock Route; Pilbara Creative & Cultural Forum; Tracks We Share: Contemporary Art of the Pilbara; and The Pilbara Project (current, working title).

The FORM team is dedicated to enriching the broader community. FORM’s comprehensive approach uses creativity as a catalyst to generate economic opportunities, cultural development and expression, whilst enhancing connection to place and local pride. We work to build a cultural and creative ecology for Western Australia that values artistic excellence, improves arts access for all, and encourages the development of resilient and vibrant communities.

Over the past decade, FORM has shaped its activities, partnerships and networks to demonstrate leadership, and aspire to a higher level of excellence and influence. As such, FORM has become an industry leader within the creative and cultural sector.

Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland, WA, 2021. Photograph by Sundae Studio.

FORM as five key strategies that govern and guide our programs and services, with an annual turnover of approximately $7M per annum:

ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER PARTNERSHIP:

Cultural practice started and continues with Aboriginal and Islander peoples. We aim to ensure First Peoples’ perspectives, cultural authority, and right to self-determination, come first. Key projects as outlined above.

CREATIVE LEARNING: We empower young people to develop their creativity, sense of agency and wellbeing. We do this by designing and delivering programs that foster curiosity, a love of learning and young people’s ability to make sense of the world around and within them. Creative Learning programs are aimed at developing creativity in young people, including the annual Scribblers Festival (a creative writing festival for children and young people) and Creative Schools, delivered in partnership with the education sector.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: We connect communities with artistic collaborations and experiences of quality and excellence to achieve increased community wellbeing and cultural vibrancy. Key projects include Courthouse Gallery and Visitor Centre, Port Hedland (2006 – 2019); Midland Atelier (2008 – 2013); FORM Gallery & Café, Claremont (current).

CULTURAL TOURISM: We foster local and global exchange through world-class cultural tourism experiences at scale, while also helping to establish the building blocks of a Western Australian cultural tourism economy. Field of Light: Avenue of Honour (2018), Albany; and the Public Silo Trail (2015 –2018), Wheatbelt and the Great Southern; Thomas Dambo’s: Giants of Mandurah (2022-2023), Mandurah.

SECTOR AND COMMUNITY BUILDING: We build creative sector knowledge, capacity, and infrastructure (hard and soft), to enrich communities and their places and spaces. Projects under this strategy are delivered largely via FORM’s fee for service consultancy comprising FORM’s “profit-forpurpose” arm, servicing government and private clients in public art procurement, creative space and place making, and cultural strategy development. Services include FORM’s signature Land.Mark.Art program, which mentors Aboriginal artists through an intensive public art development program.

SPINIFEX HILL STUDIO STRATEGY

BENEFICIARIES

ALL SPINIFEX HILL ARTISTS:

Spinifex Hill Artists are over 200 Aboriginal people that represent many language groups from around the Pilbara and beyond. Increasing the number of younger artists and male artists, to ensure diversity will be a focus.

LOCAL ABORIGINAL ARTS WORKERS:

Engagement with emerging arts workers will occur through consultation with existing Aboriginal staff at Spinifex Hill Centre; the Aboriginal Advisory Committee and/or Spinifex Hill Artists. Increasing the number of male arts workers, to achieve gender equity, will be a focus.

ABORIGINAL YOUTH:

Aboriginal youth interested in being involved in Spinifex Hill Centre’s innovative business development and upskilling programs will be supported through engagement with key stakeholders, including local schools and the Youth Involvement Council.

LOCAL HEDLAND COMMUNITY:

There is considerable desire in the local community to engage with Spinifex Hill Centre. The community views Spinifex as a key player in South Hedland and the first port of call when it comes to potential to create more cohesion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in town.

REGIONAL AND WA TOURISTS:

Exhibitions and cultural programming at Spinifex Hill Centre will be a draw-card for tourists and provide a beneficial experience for visitors and the local community.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY FROM THE PROJECT?

DIRECTLY:

• Spinifex Hill Staff: 15 (including a casual pool of ± 6. Approximately 12 are Aboriginal and 3 are non-Aboriginal)

• Spinifex Hill Artists: 200

TOTAL DIRECTLY: ± 215

INDIRECTLY:

• Families of Spinifex Hill Artists: 1,000

• Port Hedland Community: 5,000

• Tourists/Art Buyers/Art Fair Visitors: 5,000

TOTAL INDIRECTLY (Per annum): 11,000

GOALS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

PROJECT PURPOSE:

GOALS:

1. Governance at Spinifex Hill will nurture leadership, promote agency, continuously embed cultural protocols, and foster intergenerational exchange.

Spinifex Hill Studio’s Aboriginal Council will take on more independence and responsibility over the period.

Objectives:

• Longer term, FORM’s aspiration is to have built sufficient governance capability to be able to ‘hand-back’ Spinifex Hill to the Aboriginal community on or before 2032, acknowledging the complexities related to the freehold site, buildings, funding arrangements etc.

• Deliver sufficient governance training to the Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council

• Establish Spinifex Hill Studio’s first Aboriginal-identified Lead/Senior and/or first Aboriginal-identified Manager

• Investigate independent governance structure, establish roadmap to independent governance

Objectives:

• Increased and sustained employment for Aboriginal artists and their families, now and into the future, which is deeply and meaningfully connected to their cultural identity.

• Continued operation of Spinifex Hill Studio, catering to over 200 artists annually, and minimum of 10 daily.

• Provide a market-access vehicle for the Spinifex Hill Artists, including marketing avenues, online and inperson sales platforms, brand awareness and prestige through awards and art fair participation.

• Education and upskilling of Aboriginal people in art production, business, management, and curation will further build economic agency, empowerment and resilience

Objectives:

• Built/adapt a dedicated men’s space to ensure cultural safety, cultural preservation and maintenance.

• Increase the number of Aboriginal men employed and painting at Spinifex Hill Studio.

• Intergenerational exchange programs.

Objectives:

• Events and programming that build cultural awareness in the community, provide community activation, vibrancy and cultural amenity will increase appreciation of diverse cultural knowledge; increase appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment; and result in a deeper connection to shared cultural heritage, creating a more cohesive, vibrant, liveable and sustainable town.

• Strengthen tourism offering, including progressing product development in partnership with AACHWA.

TIMELINE METHODS & STRATEGY

Governance

Convene and empower the Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council (SHSAC) (ongoing)

ICIP and Cultural Protocols embedded at Spinifex Hill Studio (ongoing)

FORM’s RAP is endorsed by the SHSAC

Economic Development and Wealth Creation

Deliver sufficient governance training to SHSAC members (ongoing)

Continued operation of Spinifex Hill Studio, catering to 200 artists annually (ongoing)

Provide an effective market-access vehicle for the Spinifex Hill Artists (ongoing)

Skills development and training programs for the local Aboriginal community (ongoing)

Culture and Communities

Built/adapt a dedicated men’s space to ensure cultural safety, cultural preservation and maintenance.

Thriving, Empowered Communities

Annual public programming and activation plan delivered (ongoing)

Public program evaluation and continuous improvement

Intergenerational exchange programs (ongoing)

Establish Spinifex Hill Studio’s first Aboriginalidentified Lead/Senior and/or Manager

Roadmap to independence for Spinifex Hill Studio

Public program evaluation and continuous improvement

Increase the number of Aboriginal men employed and painting at Spinifex Hill Studio

Public program evaluation and continuous improvement Develop

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

FORM applies the IAP2 Framework for Public Participation for all of its activities and projects. It also employs ICIP protocols for projects involving Aboriginal people and their intellectual property.

Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council

Spinifex Hill Artists

Spinifex Hill Staff

FORM Board and Other Staff

BHP

Pilbara Development Commission

Other Pilbara Aboriginal Art Centres

Hedland Senior High School

Junction Co

Other Pilbara Arts & Cultural Groups

Youth Involvement Council

Hedland Social Services Organisations

Hedland Aboriginal Strong Leaders

Relevant Aboriginal Prescribed Body Corporates

Other Hedland Primary and Secondary Schools

Town of Port Hedland

Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute

Town Teams

The Web Business Hub

North Regional TAFE - Pundulmurra

Empower

Collaborate

Collaborate/Involve

Involve

RISK ASSESSMENT

Negative stakeholder sentiment resulting in reputational damage and disengaged stakeholders

Key skills shortages resulting in compromised or cancelled outcomes

Physical damage to facilities due to cyclone or other act of god resulting in major repair costs or closures

Restrictions/Lockdowns

Other funding not realised as projected resulting in aspects of the program being cancelled

/ Major

•

• Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council

Implement ICIP Protocols

• Implement IAP2 Public Participation Protocols

• Implement Marketing and Communication Plan

• Implement succession planning and training plans

EAP, serenity leave and professional development planning

• 3 to 6-month housing option and relocation budget

• Collaboration and knowledge sharing with a broad range of key stakeholders

Cross-leverage other FORM staff and programming

• Implement training plans

Cyclone preparation protocols Building insurance

Cameras

• Conversation with other potential funders

• Partnership/collaboration to access other program value-add

• Small operating reserve in place

MONITORING PLAN

FORM employs a rigorous approach to monitoring and evaluating its activities across inputs (resource investment), outputs (deliverables) and outcomes (within economic, social and cultural pillars).

Sales data will be collated on a daily basis, as well as aggregated monthly, quarterly and annually to measure economic benefits directly to Spinifex Hill Artists. All other deliverables will be monitored, evaluated, and reported on every 6 months.

Governance

Convene and empower the Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council (SHSAC)

Deliver sufficient governance training to SHSAC members

• Committee membership fairly represents the Spinifex Hill Artists (SHA) demographics

Terms of reference are reviewed annually

• Committee meetings are well attended

• Committee meetings are productive, functional, and guide decision making at Spinifex Hill Studio

• Committee members and SHA feel a sense of agency and leadership as evidenced by feedback and expressed satisfaction Ongoing

Minimum of 2 Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council members undertake AICD training per annum

• Minimum of 1 Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council member attends all FORM Board meetings as observer

• ICIP Protocols are reviewed and endorsed annually by the SHSAC

Basic Cultural Awareness and Cultural Protocol training is provided as part of new staff induction

31 December 2024 and Ongoing

ICIP and Cultural Protocols embedded at Spinifex Hill Studio

Establish Spinifex Hill Studio’s first Aboriginalidentified Lead/Senior and/ or first Aboriginal-identified Manager

• Comprehensive Cultural Awareness training and Cultural Protocol training is delivered annually to SHS staff by Kariyarra Elder

• FORM’s Reconciliation Action Plan is endorsed by the SHSAC

• Skills development and training program for each staff member developed and implemented

• Aboriginal staff employment and retention strategies developed and implemented

Demonstrable increase in business, financial and people management skills in Aboriginal workers evidenced through performance reviews

• Support work-life balance, the ability to practice culture, and a culturally safe work environment, including mental health first aid training.

• Succession plan developed

• Succession plan implemented, achieving deliverable

• In collaboration with FORM’s legal advisors and the SHA, the SHSAC and FORM staff to develop a roadmap that includes:

• Options for legal entity structures

• Assets and land title arrangements

Roadmap to independence for Spinifex Hill Studio

Transfer/provision of services (payroll, fundraising, creative, HR, marketing & comms, etc)

• Supplier impacts

Communication plan

• Plan to achieve fair, neutral management

31 December 2024

3 months into employment and every 6 months ongoing

31 December 2024

Annually Ongoing

30 June 2027

Ongoing

Economic Development and Wealth Creation

Quality of SHS services maintained as evidenced by artists’ feedback, return visitation levels and expressed satisfaction

Continued operation of Spinifex Hill Studio

An effective market-access vehicle for the Spinifex Hill Artists

• Minimum of 200 artists accessing SHS annually

• Average of 10 artists accessing SHS daily

4 SHA artists exhibiting outside the Pilbara region per year

3 exhibitions in the Project Space per year

5% increase in Studios’ revenue from sales, commissions and prize money each year

15% increase in unique visitors to the Spinifex Hill Studio Website

Participate in at least 2 national art markets per year

At least 2 Aboriginal cultural industry events attended per year by SHA artists and SHS staff

1 collaborative Aboriginal cultural project undertaken during 2024-2027 period

• 2 artistic development workshops delivered for SHA artists annually

Skills development and training programs for the local Aboriginal community, particularly youth, focused on art production, business management and curation.

Culture and Communities

Built/adapt a dedicated men’s space to ensure cultural safety, cultural preservation and maintenance.

Increase the number of Aboriginal men employed and painting at Spinifex Hill Studio

Intergenerational exchange programs

Thriving, Empowered Communities

• 2 curatorial development workshops delivered for Aboriginal participants annually

• 1 arts management workshops delivered for Aboriginal participants annually

• Appropriate cultural protocols, tech, and operations established to run the Men’s space

Annual public programming and activation plan delivered.

• Sufficient funds raised to build men’s space

• Consultation and design complete (co-design approach)

• Appropriate cultural protocols, tech and operations established to run the Men’s space.

• Men’s space constructed

• Cultural safety, cultural preservation achieved, indicated by artists’ feedback, return visitation levels, and expressed satisfaction 31

Minimum of 10% increase in male artists contracted and painting at SHS

Minimum of 50% Aboriginal employees at SHS identify as male

• Youth engagement in creative learning and innovation at Spinifex Hill Project Space, leveraging FORM’s Creative Learning programs.

Intergenerational exchange program plan completed and endorsed by the SHSAC Intergenerational exchange plan implemented Programming for Aboriginal Children

• All output KPI’s delivered, including (per annum):

• 3 events for the general public 4 workshops

• NAIDOC week programming

• 1 family-friendly event

• 2 childrens’ events

• Maintain or increase attendance year-on-year

• A minimum of 70% of participants report an increase in: Appreciation of diverse cultural knowledge

• Appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment

• Deeper connection to shared cultural heritage

Evaluate and continuously improve the public program

Participate in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Product Development Project (ATSI PDP) led by the Pilbara Development Commission to develop a range of mass-produced art and licenced products (eg. Clothing, kitchenware, handcrafted items, etc).

• “Lessons learned” collated at the completion of each activity in the plan and applied in a continuous improvement model.

• Development of three products through the ATSI PDP program for commercial market over next two years.

Development of two products in-house over the next two years. Development of one digital product over the next two years.

• Explore the option of producing artwork prints (reproductions).

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY: A DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY

FORM has a long track record of ensuring the sustainability of its community empowerment and cultural development initiatives, and particularly so in its sixteen-year long management of Spinifex Hill Studio. FORM has built up a diversity of funding streams to support Spinifex Hill Studio, that have seen BHP’s contribution become proportionately smaller, relative to the overall financial turnover of Spinifex Hill Studio, year-on-year.

RISING COSTS

In 2024, FORM has secured a one-off investment of $50,000 in year one towards the costs of constructing a dedicated men’s space. We have demonstrated our ability to leverage capital investment and deliver exponential social, cultural, and economic returns at Spinifex Hill Studio, and intend to do the same with the construction of a new men’s space.

Since the completion of the previous Strategy in 2023, costs continue to rise, totalling approximately $138,000 in year one. Rising costs are due to several factors:

• Inflation: CPI of 4.1% represents an increase of $57,195 to Spinifex Hill Studio’s expenses ($26,650 on BHP’s contribution).

• Increased costs of labour and materials: Due to changes in employment legislation, and continuing pressures on supply chains post-COVID, labour and material costs have increased.

• Increased engagement and output: Over the past two years, the number of contracted Spinifex Hill Studio artists has doubled, as has the number of artists painting on a day-to-day basis. To meet this increased demand, we have tripled the headcount of Aboriginal-identified employees (from 4 to 12), equating to an increased FTE of approximately 2.8 (or $120,690).

By finding efficiencies and prioritising resources, we have managed to cap the increase in expenditure to $138,000 in 2024/25, and we will continue to do what we can to deliver more with less.

Visitors at the opening of Maggie & Doreen, Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland, WA, 2023. Photograph by AB Videography.

Visitors at the opening of Where We Go To Paint, Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland, WA, 2021. Photograph by Sundae Studio.

MANAGEMENT

PROJECT GOVERNANCE

FORM Board of Directors

Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council

PROJECT ADVOCATES

Tim Shanahan Chair of FORM Board

Tim Shanahan is a respected Western Australian leader involved in a broad range of industries. He has previously led organisations in Minerals and Energy, Higher Education and Local Government. Currently Tim is Chair of the Cooperative Research Centre for Future Battery Industries (FBI CRC) and Zetta (ICT) Group. He is a Director of RACWA Holdings which runs financial services, tourism assets, and roadside services. He Chairs the RAC Investment Committee and is an Honorary Life Member of the RACWA, and is a past President. Tim is a board member of Committee for Perth and a member of the External Advisory Board of School of Medicine, Fremantle at The University of Notre Dame. Tim is a qualified lawyer, an experienced company director (FAICD) and was honoured with a Public Service Medal in 2001 and a Centenary Medal in 2003.

Vickie Wagner

Chair of Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council

Vickie Wagner was born and raised in the Pilbara and has lived and worked for many years in Hedland. She contributes significantly to the Hedland community through her work as a carer and support worker for elderly, disabled, and special needs people of all ages. She graduated from Pundulmurra College with qualifications in Childcare and Business Studies in 1994. Vicki is a strong leader and advocate for Aboriginalculture and community safety and cohesion.

Raylene Button

Spinifex Hill Studio Aboriginal Council Member Representative on FORM AIAC

Raylene Button is a member of the SHSAC and represents the SHSAC on the state-wide FORM Aboriginal and Islander Advisory Committee, which reports directly to the FORM Board. Raylene is a Kariyarra woman born in Port Hedland. During her life Raylene has lived in many Pilbara communities and towns including Yandeyarra, Warralong, Strelley, Carlindie, Woodstock, and Port Hedland. She also spent six years living in Perth and has also lived in Halls Creek. Her position as a highly respected spokesperson for the Kariyarra people is a result of her education and abilities to comprehend the often complex negotiations and discussions which occur in the Native Title process.

Raylene’s was also involved in establishing the Kariyarra Youth Education Program to teach leadership skills, culture/heritage knowledge, land management negotiation skills, and to encourage children to pursue their dreams. the Arts Policy Advisory Group and Principal Partnership Advisor for both the Perth Public Art Foundation Board and Heritage Perth Inc Board.

For Tabitha, collaboration is critical to realising the state’s potential and driving ambitious cultural development programs.

Tabitha McMullan Chief Executive Officer

Tabitha McMullan is a passionate visionary for arts and culture. Prior to joining FORM she held leadership roles in Activation & Cultural Experience; Community Development; and Arts, Culture & Heritage at the City of Perth. With over seventeen years’ experience in the international creative sector, across not-for-profit, university and local government organisations, she strongly believes in Westecrn Australia’s place as a cultural leader on the world stage. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has previously served as Chair of the CCCLM Culture and the Arts Policy Advisory Group and Principal Partnership Advisor for both the Perth Public Art Foundation Board and Heritage Perth Inc Board. For Tabitha, collaboration is critical to realising the state’s potential and driving ambitious cultural development programs.

Evana Tanner

Spinifex Hill Manager

PROJECT TEAM

Ruby Djikarra Alderton

Studio Technical Coordinator

Ruby is a Yolngu woman from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land. As a child Ruby spent a lot of time with her mother while she was creating her art. Later, as a teenager she encouraged Ruby to help her paint her bark paintings, create her prints and edition them with her. This led Ruby to working at Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre as a printmaker and arts worker for 3 years. Ruby joined Spinifex Hill Studio as an artist and Studio Technical Coordinator in February 2023. Ruby loves to share her knowledge and culture whenever the opportunity arises.

Rekeshia Goodwin

Studio Operations Coordinator

Rekeshia is Thiin Mah on her Grandmother’s side and Ngoonooru Wadjari on her Grandfather’s side. Rekeshia has always loved painting and when she was young she asked my grandfathers if they could teach my how to paint like them. Rekeshia’s Grandmother’s side is from Carnarvon and her Grandfather’s side is from Meekatharra. Her mum was born in Dampier and grew up all over the Pilbara. Rekeshia was born in Port Hedland and lived for a time in Nullagine before coming back to Hedland. Rekeshia joined Spinifex Hill Studio as an artist and Studio Operations Coordinator in February 2023.

Samantha Burston

Spinifex Project Space Coordinator

Samantha (or Sammy) worked casually with Spinifex for several weeks before taking on the role of Spinifex Project Space Coordinator in August 2022. She leads the coordination of exhibitions and local programming at the Spinifex Hill Project Space gallery and looks after incoming sales opportunities. Sammy is originally from the UK, however has been living in South Hedland for nearly 5 years. Her background in retail and VM are assets to the sales role at Spinifex Hill Studio.

Jessica Brown Gallery Engagement

Jessica Brown joined Spinifex Hill Studio, working in the Project Space and Gallery in late 2023. She joined Spinifex Hill from the Junction Co., where she ran the Courthouse Gallery.

David Clarke

Studio Operations Assistant

David Clarke is an emerging arts worker, who graduated from Hedland Senior High School in 2015. He then went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage and Italian Studies from UWA in 2021 and a Master of Social Work from UWA in 2022. He is a practicing musician and an advocate for his Aboriginal culture and heritage. He joined Spinifex Hill Studio in August 2023.

Layne Dhu-Dickie

Studio Technical Assistant

Layne Dhu-Dickie was employed at Spinifex Hill Studio as a Studio Assistant in 2022, and was promoted to Studio Technical Assistant in 2023. Before 2022, Layne worked as an artist with FORM for several years, publishing his very own comic book series, Captain Hedland and Captain Hedland and The Fisherman. Layne graduated from Hedland Senior High School, and is very interested in a career in the arts.

CASUAL EMPLOYEES:

Clifton Ward

Dean Kickett

Kylee Tesling

Lorna Dawson

Maisie Ward

Mark Walters

Raine Hakim

Sophia Alone

Current at time of publishing.

MANAGEMENT

PROJECT SUPPORT (CLAREMONT)

Stephanie Xiao General Manager Finance & Operations

Stephanie is a qualified accountant holding a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma of Business from the University of South Australia. She has worked with FORM since 2018.

Seven Gao Accountant

Seven is an experienced bookkeeper and accountant with strong experience in managing in-gallery and online artwork sales. Seven holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and a Master of Corporate Accounting, from Curtin University.

Jerome Lee Creative Development Manager

Jerome has extensive creative design and interdisciplinary digital technology experience. He joined FORM in February 2022. He has worked in London, Melbourne and Sydney though his hometown is Perth. He has experience in a diversity of creative fields, including brand, advertising, experience design, digital and activations.

Phil Berrick Senior Designer

Phil is a graphic designer and illustrator, based in Perth, WA. He has worked at FORM since 2022 and before that worked for several years in creative agencies, as well as having run his own business. He has very strong digital expertise, including online sales platforms. Phil wants to make a positive difference using his skills.

Aimee Ko Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist

Aimee is a driven marketing, communications and events professional who has worked in a high performance agency environment as well as in arts administration and artist management.

Mags Webster Senior Writer & Researcher

Mags is an award-winning writer, poet, researcher, lecturer, editor and content generator with experience spanning the UK, Australia and Asia, in local government, the cultural and creative sector, and communications. She has worked with FORM since 2006.

Current Aboriginal arts worker SPINIFEX TEAM STRUCTURE

FORM BOARD OF DIRECTORS TIM SHANAHAN

FORM ABORIGINAL ADVISORY GROUP RAYLENE BUTTON

FORM aspires to promote as many Aboriginal workers into senior leadership positions as possible. In addition to this broad principle, the following colours indicate:

FORM CEO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TABITHA MCMULLAN

A/SPINIFEX CENTRE MANAGER

STEPHANIE XIAO

SPINIFEX ABORIGINAL ADVISORY GROUP VICKIE WAGNER

SPINIFEX PROJECT SPACE COORDINATOR

SAMANTHA BURSTON

SPINIFEX PROJECT SPACE SUPPORT CASUALS

GALLERY ENGAGMENT

JESSICA BROWN

STUDIO TECHNICAL COORDINATOR

RUBY DJIKARRA ALDERTON

STUDIO TECHINCAL ASSISTANT

LAYNE DHU-DICKIE

STUDIO TECHNICAL CASUALS

FORM SPINIFEX PROJECT SUPPORT STRUCTURE

Note: The Project Support Team is not dedicated solely to this project, and is funded primarily through other funding sources. The support team contributes support and expertise to the Spinifex Project Team via the Spinifex Centre Manager and CEO.

CEO

TABITHA MCMULLAN

STUDIO OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

REKESHIA GOODWIN

STUDIO OPERATIONS ASSISTANT DAVID CLARKE

STUDIO OPERATIONS CASUALS

OPERATIONS

GENERAL MANAGER FINANCE & OPERATIONS

STEPHANIE XIAO

ACCOUNTANT SEVEN GAO

SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL BERRICK

CREATIVE SERVICES

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER JEROME LEE

SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST AIMEE KO

SENIOR WRITER & RESEARCHER MAGS WEBSTER