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FOR THE NORTH // About NorthSite (formally KickArts)

NorthSite Contemporary Arts is a leading arts organisation with a 30-year history of exhibiting exemplary art and supporting contemporary artists in Far North Queensland. The organisation has a fundamental role in ensuring the advancement of contemporary art in Cairns and greater North Queensland, through the on-going development, delivery and promotion of exhibitions, programs, events and provision of artistic services.

We play a fundamental role in growing and sustaining the arts ecology
of Tropical North Queensland and connecting it to the rest of Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

We are the only organisation in northern Australia undertaking this
breadth and depth of support for artists and consistently delivering
high-quality, contemporary art exhibitions and programs.

 

Vision

Our vision is to be the leading contemporary arts organisation in northern Australia.

Mission

Our mission is to link ideas, artists, audiences and supporters to present contemporary art and design that brings people together, stimulates conversation and provides transformative experiences.

 

OF THE NORTH // A Proud History in Cairns

KickArts holds a proud 30+ year history since its inception as a boundary-pushing artist collective formed in Cairns in the early 1990s.

Highlight exhibitions include:

The Fish John West Regrets (1993). Linkage Leakage (1993). Baggage: A Pastiche of Portable Art (1996). Kicking Cans (1997). Ailan Currents: contemporary printmaking from the Torres Strait (2007). Blak Roots (2008). Thancoupie: Ceramic Exhibition (2008). Sting in the Tail (2009). Brian Robinson: Men+Gods (2012). Renegades: Outsider Art (2014). Sageraw Thonar: Stories from the Southeasterly Season, contemporary expressions of cultural knowledge from Badu Art Centre (2016). Secret Recipes (2016). Teho Ropeyarn: Ulada Ikya Ami, listening to Beforetime Stories (2017).

 

IN THE NORTH // Where we are

NorthSite Contemporay Arts and NorthSite Art Studios are located in Cairns at two fantastic locations.

Our Public Gallery and Store are located in Cairns CBD at Bulmba-ja (formerly Centre of Contemporary Arts). The building name ‘Bulmba-ja’ has been gifted by representatives of the Traditional Owner groups, of the Yirrgandji and Gimuy Walubara Yidinji clans. Bulmba-ja is home to several tenants including our friends JUTE Theatre Company, Minjil, The Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts and Miriki Performing Arts.

Come in and check out what’s on – 96, Abbott Street, Cairns City

NorthSite Art Studios is located within the Cairns Cultural Precinct on Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill (previously run by InkMasters Inc. and as Djumbunji Press). This professional studio expands on our activities held at Nulmba-ja and facilitates training, community workshops and the production of high-quality fine-art-printmaking. Access to NorthSite Art Studios is by appointment only.


 

Team

Ashleigh Campbell | Executive Director (CEO)

Aven Noah Jr. | Curator & Gallery Officer

Bec Keller | Gallery Officer

Hamish Sawyer | Artistic Director

Jamie Clarke | Communications Officer

Lauren Carter | Gallery Store Manager

Melania Jack | Programs Co-ordinator

Rebecca Youdell | Executive Administrator


 

Current Board

Andrea Huelin

Bruce Prideaux

David Marsden | Secretary

Finian McGrath

Freja Carmichael

John Pagnozzi

John Stafford

Michael Cosgrove | Chair

Michael Marzik

Paul Matthews


 

Exhibition Applications

NorthSite will hold a call out in early 2024 for their 2025-26 program. Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed outline of their project and nominate a preferred gallery or project wall for their exhibition. Applications will be assessed by NorthSite Artistic Director and Curator against a range of criteria, including quality, relevance, opportunity for audience engagement, and partnerships.

Please note submitting an EOI is not a guarantee of exhibition and/or preferred gallery space. NorthSite presents an annual exhibition program comprising internally curated exhibitions, partnerships and touring exhibitions, in addition to projects by independent artists and collectives by expression of interest.

For more information, please make sure you are signed up to NorthSite’s mailing list and follow us on social media.


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About NorthSite formerly KickArts Cairns

About NorthSite formerly KickArts Cairns

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