Big hART

20/10/2026

The South Coast of NSW and the beautiful town of Berry comes with a modern narrative of colonial aesthetic, luxury, markets, and lush picturesque real estate. But for the Dharawal people there is a powerful and unresolved narrative that is inextricably linked to that of the town's namesake, Alexander Berry.

'Arawarra' is a one man show created and performed by Jake Mārā with Lincoln Smith.

Long buried in the fine print of colonial history, Arawarra’s story charts first contact and resistance on the South Coast of NSW in the early 1800s.

Performed on Country, by Bangli / the Shoalhaven River and told with courage, humour and humanity, this powerful performance centres itself in truth-telling as it examines the actions of celebrated colonial forefather Alexander Berry.

First produced by Merrigong Theatre Co , Big hART is proud to collaborate with Bundanon on this important work.

There are First Nations and public showings on the 13th & 14th November at Bundanon.
Visit here to book and for more information: https://www.bundanon.com.au/whats-on/arawarra-mara-smith/?srsltid=AU7gw4VhqhI5eVeqR8fc5yf1e7glT9crxdRAFrErSAL6fG9AeuzN3dV0

Photography by Tracey Leigh

16/10/2026

On Monday evening, we returned to Australian Parliament House, where Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, officially opened the exhibition, People, Place, Portraits.

The exhibition celebrates 35 years of Big hART through the people, communities and creative relationships at the heart of our work.

Celebrating artists Robert Hannaford, Evert Ploeg and Tsering Hannaford, with works by Gloria Pannka and Kumantjai H. Tjapaltjarri Pareroultja, alongside the young digital artists bringing their own stories, cultures and places into view.

From our beginnings on the North West Coast of Tasmania in 1992, to our national launch at Parliament House by Prime Minister John Howard in 1996, we’ve been guided by a simple belief: “It’s harder to hurt someone if you know their story.”

People, Place, Portraits
Australian Parliament House | Free entry]

Photography credit: Auspic, Department of Parliamentary Services; Christina Donoghue; photo of Evert Ploeg & Tsering Hannaford supplied by Evert Ploeg
Parliament House Canberra Governor-General of Australia

02/10/2026

Essence: Roebourne WA, August 2026
While Essence was unfolding in Roebourne this August, a separate exchange was quietly taking place alongside it.

Dreamcast Theatre, a company from the Solomon Islands, joined us in Roebourne connecting with community — the continuation of a cultural exchange that had begun in the Solomon Islands in 2025. The relationships created there were rekindled, sharing friends, language, and story from the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi peoples of the Pilbara.

Dance and song became the site of generosity and strength.
More from this exchange over the next few weeks.
This exchange took place with the assistance of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Essence was possible thanks to the support of City of Karratha, Lotterywest, and Fortescue

Dreamcast Theater Solomon Islands

24/09/2026

Announcing: People, Place, Portraits

From October, Australian Parliament House will host ‘People, Place, Portraits’. From October, Australian Parliament House will host ‘People, Place, Portraits’. Bringing together 3 decades of portraiture by leading Australian artists featuring works by Robert Hannaford, Evert Ploeg, Gloria Pannka, Hubert Pareroultja and Tsering Hannaford. Digital portraits created by young people through Big hART's Digital Pop-Up Lab add another perspective to the exhibition.

The exhibition honours Elders, young people, artists and community leaders whose stories have helped shape the nation. It invites visitors to engage with stories of community, creativity and belonging from across the country.
See ‘People, Place, Portraits’ in the Presiding Officers' Exhibition Area at Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

The free exhibition runs from 12 October 2026 to 11 July 2027.
Find out more https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Whats_On/Event/Big_hART_exhibition

16/09/2026

Some of the best moments of Essence happened outside the Digital Lab, on the footpath or in the park. 🎶

Popcorn, fold-out tables or brick wall movie screens.

Pop-up street music, songwriting workshops, art, as well as digital and dance with Roebourne High School.


Essence was presented by Big hART with the support of the Government of Western Australia,City of Karratha, Lotterywest, Fortescue and Healthway.
WA Government City of Karratha Lotterywest Fortescue Healthway

11/09/2026

Some of them hadn't seen each other since Shanghai. Some were meeting for the very first time. 🤝

The Skate of Mind crew touched down in Darwin from all over — the Chinese delegation arriving after the first leg of the tour through Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai in May, and the Australian team converging from across the country to meet them.

Different languages, different life experience, skateboarding was how we began.
First sessions in Darwin — more to come. 🛹
This activity was only possible with the support of the Australian Government and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations 澳中基金会 Future Generation
Photography by Lazy & Karabo Mooki

10/09/2026

Jacob from Gadhungal Marring is back visiting with our Pacific neighbours, this time in Samoa.

A First Nations cultural leader visiting Samoa says preserving language gives young people the foundation to know who they are, as Australian artists spend the week sharing song, dance and culture with...