Regional Arts Australia is proud to acknowledge the generous support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, whose funding is helping us build real and lasting capacity for artists and arts workers across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

We have had the privilege of connecting with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation for several years - sharing strategic thinking, aligning on sector priorities, and finding deep common ground in our commitment to regional communities. 

As the national voice for arts in regional, rural, and remote Australia, Regional Arts Australia brings together artists, community groups, not-for-profits, commercial partners, and all levels of government to strengthen the creative fabric of our regions. The Foundation's commitment to regional capability aligns closely with our own - and together, we believe we can make a lasting difference to the artists and communities we serve.

This funding directly enables us to build partnerships that nurture connection between practitioners and organisations, develop networks that leverage support for creative projects, and demonstrate genuine capacity building within communities of creative practice. Most meaningfully, it allows us to invest in the people doing this work on the ground.

Meet the people behind the work
The Tim Fairfax Family Foundation's support has enabled us to bring two exceptional leaders into our team - each bringing deep roots in their regions and a track record of meaningful creative work.

Shilo McNamee - First Nations Lead

Shilo McNamee is a Greek, Indigenous (Eastern Arrernte, Jaru) musician, visual artist and curator based in Darwin, Northern Territory. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Charles Darwin University and more than two decades of active participation in the Darwin arts community, Shilo brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to this role.

Formerly Artistic Director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation and Creative Director of Indigenous Fashion Projects (2018–2024), Shilo was appointed Creative Director for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) in both 2025 and 2026. As First Nations Lead with Regional Arts Australia, she brings vision, networks and deep cultural knowledge to our work across the country.

Skye Parker - Artlands Producer

Based in regional Queensland, Skye Parker brings more than two decades of experience across event production, arts leadership, performance, education and regional cultural development. She is Co-Creator and Live Events Producer of The Rangebow Festival, has worked with Woodford Folk Festival and Woodfordia, and has served as Creative Director and Producer of Woombye Festival - working closely with communities to translate local priorities into vibrant programming.

Skye also champions creative pathways for regional young people, developing music and DJ mentorship opportunities with partners including Topology and the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra. Her appointment as Artlands 2026 Producer reflects a shared belief that regional communities deserve cultural experiences that are ambitious, accessible, and full of life.

Looking ahead

Regional Arts Australia has a number of milestone programs and activities across our national calendar, and the Leadership Initiative will play an important role in connecting and amplifying that work. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation as we pursue our shared goal - a thriving, connected and well-supported creative ecosystem across regional Australia.

Thank you to the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation for your trust, your generosity, and your continued belief in the transformative power of arts in regional communities.