Following almost 12 months of consultation with staff and artists at The Torch, we are proud to announce a new title for our frontline team: First Peoples Arts Mentors (formerly Indigenous Arts Officers). This change comes in response to feedback that our team’s work is grounded in support, cultural care and artistic mentoring for artists

The Torch is proud to announce that a record 26 artists from our program are featured in the 13th Koorie Art Show (6 December 2025 – 22 February 2026) at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Federation Square, Melbourne. Launched on 6 December 2025, this year’s exhibition is a vibrant celebration of the creativity, cultural strength and

Wadawurrung artist, Alisha F, who joined The Torch program in 2023, is known for her acrylic on canvas works that often incorporate waterways, animals, and cultural symbols. Her latest painting, Water Sources Life (Ngubitj Sources Murrun), was commissioned by Reece for their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026–2028. This powerful artwork reflects the vital role water

It’s time to celebrate the official beginning of Treaty – a transformative milestone for reconciliation, self-determination and truth-telling in Victoria. When you take a look at the signed Treaty you’ll find stunning artworks by First Peoples artists on the cover and throughout the document, including a beautiful new work titled Metro by Stacey Edwards. Stacey

Victoria is marking a historic milestone with the signing of the first Treaty in Australia – a transformative moment for reconciliation, self-determination, and truth-telling. As this chapter begins, we’re raising the voices of First Peoples artists in prison, sharing powerful reflections on what they hope for their futures. These artists, as part of our current

The role First Nations Elders play in the Wadawurrung community is reflected in their high, and highly revered, representation within the artworks of Wadawurrung identifying artists in The Torch program. For her piece titled Weaving Warri Bagurrk #25, Alisha F acknowledges her innate talents for weaving plant fibres as being ‘second nature’ and attributes this

Many, if not most, of the Gunditjmara identifying artists in The Torch program pay direct homage to family, past and present, in their artwork. The tightly interwoven bonds that form within the cultural and geographic boundaries of Language Groups and Clans are at the core of First Nations society and culture. The impressive and comprehensive

One of the most well-known Dja Dja Wurrung creation tales is The Story of Two Volcanoes, Tarrengower and Lalgambook. This story emphasises the integral role the local landscape plays in both ancient and contemporary history, as well as the spirituality and consequent identity of Dja Dja Wurrung peoples. Dja Dja Wurrung identifying artists in The

We’re thrilled to announce that seven talented First Nations artists from The Torch program will be exhibiting in the Linden Postcard Show 2025, running from 6 September to 2 November at Linden New Art, St Kilda. Now in its 35th year, the Linden Postcard Show is a beloved fixture in Melbourne’s arts calendar. It’s a

More than just traditional ‘totemic’ representations, native animals play a vital role in many First Nations relationships to Country, spirituality, and to themselves. In Yorta Yorta Culture all plants and animals are significant, but those relative to healthy waterways hold a particularly high status. Bayadherra (Broad-shelled Turtle) is seen as ‘a provider, guide and protector’,