Noongar arts centre finds home and name

Following a transformative grant from the Alcoa Foundation announced in January this year, Bunbury’s new Noongar arts space has found a home and been named the Wardandi Wanil Art Centre.

Soon to be located in Prinsep St in Bunbury’s central business district, the centre will offer a vibrant hub for First Nations artistic expression, cultural celebration, and community connection.

The first centre of its kind in the South West, the Wardandi Wanil Art Centre is a landmark partnership between the City of Bunbury, Alcoa Foundation, and Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) Aboriginal Corporation. 

The name, chosen through deep consultation with Noongar Elders, artists, and a language linguist, honours the Wardandi people and the Wanil – peppermint tree – as a symbol of healing and cultural significance.

The name was carefully chosen to reflect the deep and enduring connection to the land and water where the centre will be located. It represents a spirit of creativity, respect, and living cultural identity while remaining inclusive of all artists, regardless of their origins.

Preparations are now underway to transform the site into a cultural hub, featuring working studios, exhibition spaces, and communal areas. The centre will host a retail space, regular workshops, exhibitions and cultural events, and will deliver outreach programs across the upper South West and Peel regions, ensuring broad community access and engagement.

 Artists will also benefit from access to mentorship and creative resources, ensuring a supportive environment for artistic growth and cultural exchange.

The centre is supported by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Planning is underway for an official opening in September.

Alcoa Foundation Board Member and President Alcoa Australia Elsabe Muller said the Foundation’s collaboration reflected a commitment to elevating Noongar voices and traditions through art. 

“The Wardandi Wanil Art Centre presents a valuable opportunity to support First Nations artists and help shape a more inclusive and vibrant cultural landscape in the South West,” Ms Muller said.

“We are proud to support resilient communities in ways that are meaningful and locally driven.”