Solid Ground

Blacktown Arts celebrates the ongoing work of the Solid Ground program.

Feel the passion and sing and rap along to empowering music performed by students from the Solid Ground program plus a special appearance from local Elder Uncle Wes Marne OAM. Featuring artists-in-residence Nooky, Marcus Corowa, Evie J Willie and Emma Donovan.

Then, hear from artist Coda Jade about the journey to having her works featured in Vivid Sydney 2022.

Solid Ground is an initiative of Carriageworks and Blacktown Arts and provides education, training and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in Redfern and western Sydney. The program includes three key strands: a First Nations Mentoring Program at select secondary schools, a Tertiary Skills Program and paid Internships.

Bapa by Evans High and Evie J Willie

Check out this beautiful, soulful track by Evie J Willie and Evans High students in the Artists in Residence program, Bapa by Dr G Yunupingu.

The Next Generation by Alexandria Park Community School and Marcus Corowa

A reminder that the past cannot be changed or ignored, The Next Generation is a call to action for Blak voices to be heard and amplify hope for the future with the new generation.

People of the Past by Chifley College Dunheved and Uncle Wes Marne

A song evoking survival and demanding respect, People of the Past is a reflection of irreversible change, identifying the monumental impact of colonisation on Aboriginal culture.

Same Same by Chifley College Bidwill and Nooky

Produced by Nooky, Same Same by Chifley College Bidwill speaks the truth of western Sydney, flowing with words that speak resistance to the opposition.

Interview with Coda Jade for Vivid Sydney 2022

Artist Coda Jade was one of the participating artists in The Gallery by Solid Ground for Vivid 2022. Hear her speak about her career goals and relationship to art.

Strong Feelings with Emma Donovan

The Solid Ground students from Evans High School Blacktown collaborated with resident artist, Emma Donovan in 2020 to produce Strong Feelings. Choreographed by Neville Boney, the dance weaves the connection between land, emotion and language.

Solid Ground is supported by The Australian Government, The Crown Resorts Foundation, The Packer Family Foundation and the Tony Foundation.