Welcome to Boss Arts Creative
A First Nations-led not-for-profit organisation dedicated
to breaking down barriers that prevent First Nations communities from engaging
in the arts and culture. We founded Boss Arts Creative because we noticed a
distinct lack of First Nations students studying the arts at the university
level, particularly in dance, singing, and music. We realized that many First
Nations children lack access to early training in these art forms, which children
from other cultures in Australia often have. This training is often necessary
to enter prestigious institutions, leaving First Nations young people at a
disadvantage.
Our Mission
To level the playing field by providing free training to First Nations
emerging artists, guided by leading First Nations artists. Since 2021, we have
worked with lots of talented mob and our students have gone on to access
training or directly enter the industry. We run a successful emerging recording
artist program and our artists have landed recording contracts and released
their own music. We are proud to have a wonderful partnership with Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts WAAPA, which provides us with training facilities.
In addition to training, we deliver impactful educational programs in schools, inspiring
the next generation of First Nations artists. We also work with youth at the
Banksia Hill Detention Centre, providing them with opportunities to explore
their creativity and build a positive future.
At Boss Arts Creative, we are more than an arts organisation—we are a community dedicated to
nurturing and showcasing the incredible talent within First Nations communities.
Our Sponsors
The Founders of Boss Arts Creative
Della Rae Morrison
Della Rae Morrison is a Bibbulmun woman of the Nyoongar Nation of the South West of WA, with 30 years experience in the arts in Australia. Della first started with Jimmy Chi's Aboriginal musical Bran Nue Dae in 1989 and spent the next 30 years enjoying stage and film, recently winning PAWA Best Actor Award for Hecate 2021. (The first ever Shakespeare production entirely in Nyoongar language) Della is an award winning songwriter and the Musical Director of Madjitil Moorna Aboriginal languages choir.
Dr Elisa Williams
Elisa trained in acting at the Victorian College of the Arts and has been an actor and theatre maker for the past 25 years. She is currently a theatre lecture at WAAPA teaching across the acting, performance making and musical theatre courses. With extensive experience in the not-for-profit arts sector, Elisa has managed numerous funding contracts for organizations such as Lottery West, The Smith Family, Creative Australia, and the Ian Potter Foundation. Her project management skills have been demonstrated through her coordination of major performance events at prominent venues across Australia, including the Sydney Opera House, Federation Square in Melbourne, Forest Chase, The Regal Theatre, and the Octagon Theatre. Elisa's PhD research focuses on fostering respectful intercultural collaborations with First Nations communities in the arts. At Boss Arts Creative, she serves as a project manager and teaches acting and movement.
Simon Stewart
Simon Stewart is a Contemporary Aboriginal Australian Choreographer from Broome Western Australia. A descendant of the Gooniyandi, Kija and Jaru peoples of the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, Simon completed a diploma in dance at NAIDSA College in Sydney. He has studied traditional Aboriginal dances from NT, Torres Strait Islands, Central Desert and various Western dance styles genres including Martha Graham technique, Merce Cunningham Technique and Ballet. Simon's teaching pedagogy specializes in Contemporary Indigenous Dance, improvisation, movement generation technique's and Intercultural Dance practices.
Charley Caruso
Charley Caruso worked as the vocal teacher for the Aboriginal Theatre course at WAAPA until 2020 (covid) Charley is a singer songwriter, recording Artist and top-liner whose voice has travelled further around the globe than she has. Charley produces music and writes for TV and other artists. Charley sings with ‘Della Mob’ and goes by the artist name ABRYNZ
Our Board
The board members of Boss Arts Creative are leading Indigenous artists who offer a strong mix of visionary skills, community advocacy, Culture and love for the arts.
-
Della Rae Morrison
Chairperson
-
Elisha Kubinek
Treasurer
-
Bobbi Henry
Board Member
-
Rubeun Yorkshire
Board Member
-
Janine Oxenham
Board Member
-
Trevor Ryan
Board Member