Arts Centre Melbourne partners with Indigenous radio station 3KND Kool ‘N’ Deadly

Arts Centre Melbourne is delighted to announce its newest media partner, Melbourne’s only Indigenous radio station 3KND Kool ‘N’ Deadly.

“This partnership has come about through mutual respect and truth-telling conversations over a two-year period. 3KND congratulate the Board and previous CEO Claire Spencer for their desire to listen and bring about change which will open doors for emerging Indigenous artists thus creating opportunities to learn valuable skills from a professional team at Arts Centre Melbourne. 3KND is excited to be with such a prestigious organisation with international connections and strong leadership. Lastly, we applaud its interim CEO Leanne Lawrence for cementing this partnership as we take a step towards a strong future for All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” says 3KND General Manager Gerry “GMan” Lyons.

Arts Centre Melbourne began working with 3KND through Asia TOPA in 2020 and when the pandemic hit, partnered with the station, Vic NAIDOC, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and the Victorian Government to deliver a special Vic NAIDOC event to connect people during a time of complete disconnection.

“When I think back to when we first started working with 3KND, it became clear that we were laying a strong foundation for how we’d be working together into the future. Partnering with 3KND has been, and will continue to be, a transformative experience for Arts Centre Melbourne as we create experiences that reflect our values and the many voices of our community,” says Arts Centre Melbourne Interim CEO Leanne Lawrence.

This new partnership builds on Arts Centre Melbourne’s relationship with 3KND as a media partner for the 2021 and 2022 Live at the Bowl seasons, with a shared goal of creating opportunities for communities and audiences to engage with Arts Centre Melbourne, both on and beyond the stage. With the combined resources and knowledge of both organisations, 3KND and Arts Centre Melbourne will be working closely to realise this goal.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s partnership with 3KND reflects its ongoing commitment as a Gathering Place for all Victorians – a place to linger, a place where conversations thrive and a place where the arts are expressed freely.

Arts Centre Melbourne is committed to listening and learning as we work with and reach out to communities and new audiences; change that is substantive, authentic and long-lasting; working with First Nations people like 3KND as they guide us through this journey, and beyond; and seizing opportunities as they arise.

Arts Centre Melbourne and 3KND have a shared commitment to ongoing learning from each other.

For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au

We’re excited to be welcoming visitors back to all of our venues for live experiences in line with the most recent Victorian Government guidelines on COVID-19. We will continue to offer engaging online experiences via our digital hub – Together With You.

For more information including: our current health and safety policies; bookings for free and ticketed events; and other digital content and experiences, please visit artscentremelbourne.com.au.

Photo supplied by Arts Centre Melbourne (L-R: Leanne Lawrence, Acting CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne with Erica Higgins, Communications Officer at 3KND)