Songlines exhibition to join UK/Australia Season

The National Museum of Australia’s Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition will tour to The Box Plymouth in the United Kingdom in 2021.

The joint UK/Australia Season initiative by the British Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will help support Australia’s major performing arts companies, with the Government to provide $350,000 to support the tour.

The Songlines exhibition is a unique cultural asset and the first of its kind, using Indigenous techniques of passing on knowledge, in an exhibition space.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the UK/Australia Season will consider the theme, “Who are we now”, looking at the shared history and culture of both nations.

“The Australian Government’s support will build on Australia’s cultural reputation, foster international relations and grow cultural understanding. This exhibition will be particularly helpful in maintaining our strong multigenerational ties with Britain, at a time where overseas travel is extremely limited," Minister Payne said.

The Melbourne Symphony, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Australian World Orchestra will present innovative productions to showcase the best of Australian artistic innovation, integrity and collaboration. Works for children and young people will also be on show by the Sydney Dance Company, circus performance from Circa, and performance and masterclasses by Queensland Ballet.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said encouraging ties through arts and culture would help to strengthen Australia’s already strong bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom.

“This is an incredible opportunity for some of Australia’s most outstanding artists, performers and exhibitors, supported by the Morrison Government, to partake and promote Australia as a diverse and talented nation,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The UK/Australia Season develops collaboration between our nations which builds upon our commitment to further strengthen our partnership as we continue to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement.”

“There is a strong interest in Indigenous art overseas and Songlines will help to grow audiences and foster new markets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists,” Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher said.

For more information on Songlines and the UK/Australia Season visit: https://www.britishcouncil.org.au/ or www.dfat.gov.au