REGIONAL ARTS FUND: Mentorship with emerging artist Tori Ann Donnelly and contemporary artist Karla Dickens

18/06/2026 

In January 2026, The Regional Arts Fund: Quick Response Grants funded a rare professional development opportunity between emerging artist Tori Ann Donnelly and fellow First Nations contemporary artist Karla Dickens.   

Tori Ann Donnelly is a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung curator, artist and teacher. Awarded Young Artist of the Year in 2018, Donnelly blends traditional and contemporary practices while exploring cultural beliefs and cultural injustices while invoking conversations of truth telling, healing and identity.  

Karla Dickens is a highly acclaimed contemporary Wiradjuri Artist, known for her powerful and thought-provoking multidisciplinary works, receiving the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize in 2013 and the Copyright Agency Fellowship for Visual Arts in 2018. She has also contributed to major public collections across Australia including the National Gallery of Australia and internationally, including Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  

This mentorship offered significant cultural and professional knowledge exchange between the two artists and allowed for collaboration and exploration in a culturally safe space. Dickens’ professional expertise as a successfully established contemporary artist was particularly beneficial to Donnelly at this stage of her career as she moves into a more established position as a contemporary artist and community leader in the arts sector.  

Limited by an eight-week period of availability, the funding provided immediate support that allowed for professional development to occur at a crucial time. Donnelly was able to travel from her studio in Red Rock to Dickens’ studio in Lismore for two half-day mentoring sessions.  

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Donnelly to connect with her mentor in a culturally safe and structured manner, acting as a conduit to build relationships and engage in meaningful practice. This mentorship has also provided ongoing support by establishing further professional connections with other First Nation artists and a plan to broaden artistic reach through exhibitions, art prizes within Australia, and artist-in-residence programs. Donnelly came away with new skills, partnerships and confidence in continuing to expand her practice and career in the arts and culture sector. 

Dickens stated, “As a senior artist it is always an honour and encouraging for me to work with such talent and hope. I’d like to give Tori Ann a huge thanks for sharing herself, culture and visions with me. I look forward to watching the future development of this exciting and capable young Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman, artist and leader.” 

This highlights the impact of this project on both Donnelly and Dickens. Regional Arts NSW thanks them both for their partnership through the Regional Arts Fund and looks forward to seeing the ongoing development for both artists.  

Series of works created using found black canvas and white paint. Inspired by balawun.ga (melaluca tree) and ngaarlu (water). Photo by Tori Ann Donnelly.

Cover Image: First Nations Artists Tori Ann Donnelly and Karla Dickens share the opportunity to connect under the Jacaranda trees in Grafton. Photo by Tori Ann Donnelly. 

This project was supported by the Regional Arts Fund, part of the Australian Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program managed by Regional Arts Australia. Regional Arts NSW administers this grant in NSW and is proud to have been involved in making this project happen.