Australia Council introduces new First Nations role

Lawyer Patricia Adjei has been appointed to the newly established role of arts practice director First Nations arts and culture.

She is moving into the role after almost two years as the Council’s manager First Nations strategic development.

Adjei is a Wuthathi, Torres Strait Islander and Ghanaian woman with more than a decade of legal experience in copyright and intellectual property rights with a specific focus on Indigenous culture and engagement.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the work of promoting opportunities for First Nations artists, and to strengthening its profile so that more people can experience First Nations arts and culture, and working in the team with the other arts practice directors,” she said.

“I’ve travelled to regional and remote communities and seen first-hand the impact of investment in programs to support First Nations arts and culture.”

Adjei previously worked as an indigenous solicitor for Arts Law and NITV, indigenous engagement manager and legal officer at Copyright Agency, and law Fellow for the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Switzerland.

She served on the board of the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel, Moogahlin Performing Arts and Contemporary Pacific Arts festival.

The Council’s executive director for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, Lydia Miller, said Adjei would be a strong and effective advocate for First Nations arts and culture.

“Trish is well known for her passion, understanding and advocacy of First Nations art,” she noted.

“Her appointment to this newly established role is a recognition of her excellent work, and part of a broader commitment from the Australia Council to support First Nations art.”

“Having a dedicated arts practice director for First Nations within the arts practice directors team is a another step in ensuring First Nations cultural and artistic narratives are further embedded across all our programs,” explained Frank Panucci, executive director of grants and engagement