Community Arts Network

21/10/2026

Check out the new video diary entry from the Unfinished Business team’s recent cultural exchange trip to West Sumatra, shot and edited by Viory Simatupang. CAN Executive Producer Michelle White writes:

The Unfinished Business team were privileged to be invited to the Pandai Sikek home of weaving chief, Dal, who leads a community of 800 Songket weavers. There are seven villages in West Sumatra that create this famous, luxury fabric which is created using two pedal floor looms. A single piece of hand woven cotton, silk and metallic thread fabric can take months to make. Each work holds sacred symbols that share life lessons and the philosophy of Minang people.

After the village, Dewi, our host, arranged for us to have a traditional Minang banquet lunch and meet the Minister for Education and Culture and senior government officials. They were fascinated to learn about our cultural revival project and how our transmission of our traditional knowledge has been disrupted by Australia’s former policies of attempted genocide and assimilation. All Aboriginal members of CAN’s delegation to Indonesia have first hand experience of the stolen generation and for some, it’s why we were drawn to this matriarchy project.

We hope the formal meeting with the Bukittinggi Government is just the start of a creative collaboration and potential future exhibition with Minang artists.

Read more about the Unfinished Business project: https://www.can.org.au/community/unfinished-business/badjaling

Lotterywest
Creative Australia
Project11

20/10/2026

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN: JOIN OUR CAN ABORIGINAL ADVISORY GROUP

CAN is seeking expressions of interest from First Nations community members living on Noongar boodja, to join our Aboriginal Advisory Group. CAN's AAG provides cultural advice and counsel to CAN, and offers specific advice and support to CAN’s artists and arts workers creating projects with First Nations communities. AAG members are paid a consultancy fee.

Find out more, including how to apply: https://www.can.org.au/careers/position/can-aboriginal-advisory-group-expression-of-interest

Caption/credit: AAG Chair Geri Hayden (centre), with AAG members Sharon Wood-Kenney and Kobi Arthur Morrison // credit Hugh Sando

16/10/2026

Check out the third video diary entry from the Unfinished Business team’s recent cultural exchange trip to West Sumatra, shot and edited by Viory Simatupang. CAN Executive Producer Michelle White writes:

The Unfinished Business team were fortunate to visit Keradjinan Amai Setia craft museum. It’s a historic women’s cooperative and craft centre in Nagari Koto Gadong village. It was founded in 1911 by Rohana Kudus, Indonesia’s first female journalist. She was also a feminist and established it to educate and empower local women by teaching traditional skills, such as embroidery, lace and silver craft.

We also visited Pandai Sikek, a picturesque traditional village in West Sumatra famous for its luxurious weaving with gold and silver thread. Songket weaving features intricate motifs that relate to nature, community and morals, and the tradition is passed down by women. It can take up to six weeks to handmake one sarong and the pieces range in price from a hundred to thousands of dollars.

Read more about the Unfinished Business project: https://www.can.org.au/community/unfinished-business/badjaling

Lotterywest
Creative Australia
Project11

15/10/2026

The culmination of the Mapping Leschenault project, the ‘Winji Moa Kep Kaarlak: Where Three Waters Meet’ exhibition opens at Bunbury’s new Wardandi Wanil Art Centre, 6 November 2026. Ahead of the opening we invite you behind the scenes to find out about the significance of the title, which weaves together multiple Wardandi stories and memories, in our latest blog post from this project:
https://www.can.org.au/news/from-saltwater-to-fresh-water-to-the-stars-mapping-wardandi-country

AusGov Office for the Arts
Lotterywest
Leschenault Catchment Council
Wardandi Wanil Art Centre
City of Bunbury

14/10/2026

Are you an arts leader committed to creating positive social change?
Do you want to make a difference?
You could be Community Arts Network’s new CEO!

With a 40 year history of partnering with communities across the state to co-create powerful, community-led art, Community Arts Network (CAN) is seeking a CEO to lead us as we continue to develop our work with communities; sharing stories, histories and experiences that have been hidden, ignored or unrecognised.

Head to the CAN website to read more about the role and download the Candidate Pack:

Are you the next leader of WA’s foremost community arts and cultural development organisation? Find out how you could be the new CEO of Community Arts Network.

13/10/2026

Check out the second video diary entry from the Unfinished Business team’s recent cultural exchange trip to West Sumatra, shot and edited by Viory Simatupang. CAN Executive Producer Michelle White writes:

Water buffalo racing was not on our itinerary for our Sumatran cultural exchange, but what an incredible side quest it turned out to be, even with the torrential rain.

Dewi, our exchange host, heard over breakfast that the last Pacu Jawi for the year was happening that day, so we made a detour.

Pacu Jawi is water buffalo racing. It’s a centuries old tradition, held monthly during harvest in the Tanar Datar region of West Sumatra.

The jockey stands on a plough attached to two untrained bulls and he then holds on to the tail for dear life as the buffalos sprint down a rice paddy turned into a wet track. It’s wild!

We also visited a traditional Minangkabau palace and learned about their matrilineal society. All land and homes belong to the women and the boys move into a smaller house next door at 10. Minang culture operates on Adat customary law and is rooted in harmony, rather than male dominance. It was fascinating.

Read more about the Unfinished Business project: https://www.can.org.au/community/unfinished-business/badjaling

Lotterywest
Creative Australia
Project11

12/10/2026

If you’re in Katanning, listen up!

You’re invited to an evening of banging live performances in Katanning, by Flewnt, Optamus and the Now Sounds Katanning young artists as we launch the ‘Same Storm’ music video!

Come on down to the All Ages Playground in Katanning, 5:30-7:30pm, Thursday 5 November 2026. Catch the ‘Same Storm’ music video, broadcast and performed for the first time, and enjoy live performances from local musicians, artwork created live by Shah Jackey and Aimee Maree. This is a FREE event (including food trucks!) and everyone is welcome.
Read more: https://www.can.org.au/news/same-storm-music-video-launch

Pictured: Two young artist participants from Katanning who are taking lead roles in the creation, recording and performance of ‘Same Storm’ // Credit: Astrid Volzke

Katanning Senior High School
Kojonup District High School
Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Healthway
Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport
Creative Australia
Shire of Katanning
Flewnt
Optamus
Our PhotoStories

08/10/2026

Are you passionate about the arts?
You could be Community Arts Network’s new CEO!

With a 40 year history of partnering with communities across the state to co-create powerful, community-led art, Community Arts Network (CAN) is seeking a CEO to lead us as we continue to develop our work with communities; sharing stories, histories and experiences that have been hidden, ignored or unrecognised.

Head to the CAN website to read more about the role and download the Candidate Pack:

Are you the next leader of WA’s foremost community arts and cultural development organisation? Find out how you could be the new CEO of Community Arts Network.

07/10/2026

If you haven't had the chance to see the Legacies Karlkurla/Kalgoorlie exhibition at John Curtin Gallery, there's still time.

We're pleased to announce the show's run has been extended until November 20.

The exhibition features a collection of stunning portraits by acclaimed photographer Michael Jalaru Torres and links to podcasts hosted by Anangu Spinifex broadcaster Debbie Carmody.

While you're there, make sure you check out the Radical Futures exhibition, which is part of the Regional Arts Triennial - it's incredible!

More info: https://www.can.org.au/news/experience-stories-from-silky-pear-country-in-boorloo

Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport
Creative Australia
Community Broadcasting Foundation
Tjuma Pulka 96.3 FM
John Curtin Gallery
Museum of the Goldfields

Legacies Karlkurla/Kalgoorlie is heading to John Curtin Gallery, so that Boorloo/Perth audiences can experience this seminal First Nations-led multi-media storytelling exhibition.

30/09/2026

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: CEO, COMMUNITY ARTS NETWORK

Are you the next leader of Western Australia’s foremost community arts and cultural development organisation?

With a 40 year history of partnering with communities across the state to co-create powerful, community-led art, Community Arts Network (CAN) is seeking a CEO to lead us as we continue to develop our work with communities; sharing stories, histories and experiences that have been hidden, ignored or unrecognised.

Head to the CAN website to read more about the role and download the Candidate Pack:

Are you the next leader of WA’s foremost community arts and cultural development organisation? Find out how you could be the new CEO of Community Arts Network.