‘Djamu’ is a word from the Gadigal language meaning ‘here I am’ or ‘here I come’.

This unique Indigenous art education program provides opportunities for Indigenous students in years 5-8 from the Sydney Region to learn about the art collections of the Gallery as well as vocational pathways available in the arts and integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts, perspectives and cultural practices.

Students will work with curators and educators at the Gallery as well as professionals in many different areas of the art world, including curators, conservators, registrars and gallery owners. Some of the artists who students will meet are Esme Timbery, Daniel Boyd, Jason Wing, Genevieve Grieves and Roy Kennedy. Students will also meet other important people from the local community and visit places such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Powerhouse Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Students will join in artist-led art workshops and discussion tours of the Gallery’s collections, and visit artist studios and other galleries. They will develop skills and talents as artist's and gain greater understanding of the art world and their potential to achieve within it, as artists, curators or other arts professionals.

Two Indigenous museum educators based at the Gallery, as well as teachers from participating schools and the from Sydney Region Aboriginal Education Unit, will lead students on this exciting and inspiring journey.

The program is supported by