In response to the Covid-19 pandemic Barpirdhila have launched an appeal to raise funds for First Nations artists wo are negatively impacted by Covid-19 and support high priority Indigenous health services.
In a conversation with NITV Radio, Barpirdhila General Manager Nathan Leitch said that when the pandemic hit it quickly appeared that performing artists, especially First Nations artists, would be heavily impacted as they would lose the possibility to carry out their activities.
“Being an artist is a very fragile way of leaving… and it is a very White kind of system. Being an Indigenous artist, it is very difficult to get a steady income and get constant acceptance and respect.”
At the onset, Barpirdhila designed a mechanism to provide small grants of up to $1500 to help all impacted Indigenous artists to allow them to continue their practice while the lockdown was implemented.
A few people joined the effort most notably Briggs and Tim Minchin who’ve donated all the proceeds from their latest single (HouseFyre) to the appeal.
NACCHO, has been singled out to receive a share of the funds as this leading health care provide is then able to support other community controlled health organisations in need.
Nathan Leitch warns that Indigenous female artists need more support. Even in normal circumstances they face the toughest challenges breaking and succeeding in the performing arts industry.
