Kuranda Indigenous Cultural Artists (KICA) Collective – Roadmap

Kuranda Elder and Buluwai Traditional Owner Willie Brim’s Vision:
Moving beyond welfare to Indigenous Tourism Products and Services

Willie Brim’s major achievements include:

  • World Tour with Australian Tourist Commission giving 58 shows in 60 days on four continents
  • Performs at World Expo in Japan
  • Represents Australia at USA Fair
  • Wins Queensland Small Business Award
  • Wins Queensland Tourism Award for Heritage and Cultural Tourism

The main purpose of this Collective is to celebrate 2020 Year of Indigenous Tourism.  The state government initiative is an encouraging sign for Kuranda and other small tourism communities with high Indigenous populations.

The main objectives for the KICA Collective are:

  • develop viable and sustainable strategy for Cultural Street Performers
  • support Cultural Material Artists to develop a range of retail tourism products for all price points
  • define and grow the Free Independent Traveller market to use existing overnight accommodation, current capacity over 100 pax in the region
  • support new proposals put forward by community
  • develop 10 year plan for Indigenous Tourism in Kuranda, including major and niche festivals

Using the following well established models:

  • gig roles
  • cooperatives & social enterprises
  • cottage industries
  • social media
  • online travel platforms

2005: Willie Brim talking about
Djabugay Country Tours

QUICK LINKS
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Program Poster
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Kuranda Indigenous Artists Hub
(in development)
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Facebook Page
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Draft Business Plan

Click to open printable PDF

Kuranda Indigenous Cultural Artists (KICA) Collective – Running Sheet

Please start by downloading the ‘draft business plan’ on the link above right. This plan will be adjusted as the program develops.

This list is reverse date ordered, oldest notes at the bottom.

25 February 2020

  • Bertie’s proposal is sent to Sali with list of next steps required to get the program underway, TRACQS-Bertie-Riley-Proposal-February-2020
  • The Kowrowa Trades & Skills Workshop receives the first load of milled native timber ‘offcuts’ (thank you Bill S x)
  • Bertie starts experimenting with the first prototypes of the ‘Kuranda Blank Set’, which will be available for artists to order
  • Zennith and Mantaka artist profiles are published online

18 February 2020

  • First ‘Indigenous Artist Profiles’ are published online for Tanique Brim, Bertie Riley, Mayi Wunba, printed copies given to artists
  • Bertie’s boomerangs delivered to visitor info centre with an Artist Card for the display
  • Copies of the first artist profiles delivered to visitor info centre, for their information

11 February 2020

  • Reply from council with arrangement for Cultural Street Performers Reply-from-MSC-6-Feb-2020- , plus forms: Form 1 Form 2 Form 3
  • Contact with Sali (TRQ) – share the docs so far, including the business plan. Sali offers her support.

4 February 2020

28 January 2020

  • First session of the Collective meets at Kuranda Amphitheatre Understage 4-6pm (10 sessions over 1st school term, 18+ only at this stage)
  • Discussions regarding display space @ visitor info centre, issues with permits and costs for cultural busking in the village
  • Mayi Wunba (Kuranda’s Premier Indigenous Dance Group) needs support to perform at Laura Festival (July) 2020 – a bus is required and approx. $2-3,000 to do the trip comfortably. Sponsorship opportunities will be sought with Kuranda businesses in the coming months.

December, 2019

  • Willie Brim attended Tourism Kuranda [Market Research & Strategy] Event at Kuranda Hotel

November, 2019

  • Introductions with Willie Brim and meeting with Kahlia (TK) and Susan (MSC) regarding future Indigenous Tourism opportunities in Kuranda.
  • We are offered support, encouragement and advised to visit Catherine (VI) regarding display space for artists.
  • Collective poster is developed, printed