First Nations Programming
Our five MPAC venues all sit on the unceded lands of the Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, and play host to the continuing traditions of song, dance and music that have been practiced on these lands for more than 60,000 years.
Banner image credit: Morgan Sette, show Marrow, pictured Karra Nam.
Head of First Nations Programming & Engagement Tom Molyneux
We are committed to substantially increasing the presence of First Nations artists across all artforms in our regular programming and commissioning of new works. In 2024, we announced the appointment of the inaugural Head of First Nations Programming and Engagement, proud Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux. Since then, Tom has been working with an Indigenous Steering Committee and other stakeholders to establish Kindred People, a new festival of Indigenous knowledges and creativity (see more below).
Tom is an award-winning actor, playwright and arts manager, receiving the 2023 Green Room Award for ‘Best Performer (Independent Theatre)’ for his performance in The Mission which toured to arts venues across Australia in 2022. Tom is also a proud alumnus of Monash, having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Performing Arts.
To be the first to find out about announcements of First Nations works in our program, we encourage you to subscribe to our weekly news.
Kindred People
This September, Awaken murrup (the spirit) as Monash transforms into a vibrant, multi‑artform festival led by First Nations artists from Australia and across the world. Held on Boonwurrung Country, Kindred People brings together world‑premiere commissions, major theatre and dance works, live music, experimental sound, visual art and knowledge exchange in one bold, immersive program.
From the powerful opening of Tanderrum dambali to the physical storytelling of The Scarecrow & Waa; from the poetic force of UPU to the sonic world of Decolonising the Bells; the program unfolds across stages, galleries and outdoor spaces. Ambitious, contemporary, and led by First Nations voices, Kindred People invites you to experience Indigenous creativity.
Explore the program. Plan your visit. Book your tickets today.
MobTix
MPAC is pleased to offer MobTix pricing across the performances that we program in our venues. Available to people who identify as being of First Nations descent, and are accepted as such by their community, this is to support increased engagement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with our program.
We recognise the historical exclusion from many performing arts spaces, and are supportive of the cultural policy approaches by both Creative Australia and Creative Victoria.
Click here for more information.
