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Weaving Stories Together

Regional Arts WA presents the Social Fabric Equity Project in collaboration with Esperance Community Arts, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, and Tjuma Pulka Media Aboriginal Corporation. The project is funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund Regional Arts Australia, the Minderoo Foundation, Lotterywest, and Healthway to promote positive health outcomes for our communities.

Spanning 2025-2026, this initiative will address barriers to cultural participation and amplify diverse voices through cultural exchange, storytelling, and collaboration, with emphasis on First Nations peoples and minority groups in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

The project will support underrepresented communities in creating and sharing their stories of connection through a variety of exhibitions, events, and performances, while also developing resources aimed at improving cultural equity in regional communities across the State.

Program Goals and Vision

Social Fabric Equity Project aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities across Goldfields-Esperance, a vast region covering 770,488 sq km – three times the size of Victoria.

The program specifically addresses the challenges of participation faced by First Nations people and minoritised communities. Social Fabric will work towards creating locally relevant, culturally safe, and inclusive models of engagement within the regional WA arts and culture sector.

The program comes at a crucial time, as social cohesion across Australia has been steadily declining, with many communities reporting increased incidents of social and institutional racism. Social Fabric aims to strengthen community connections by surfacing untold narratives and embracing innovative approaches to storytelling, capacity building for local producers, and intercultural exchanges.

Methodology

The program will collaborate with Edith Cowan University to develop and trial cultural equity models tailored to regional communities. Expected outcomes include new forms of cultural expression, greater community capacity to challenge unfair institutional practices, and improved well-being through increased participation in arts and cultural activities.