As part of the 2027 WMIACP Selection Panel, Melbourne Art Foundation welcomes:

• Janina Harding, proud Meriam (Erub/Mer, Torres Strait Islands) woman and Principal Project Manager, Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair at Creative Victoria.
• Jessica Clark, proud Trawlwoolway woman and Senior Curator, First Nations Art at the National Gallery of Victoria.
• Shanysa McConville, proud Eastern Arrernte woman and Associate Curator, Art Museums and Indigenous Collections at the University of Melbourne.

The WMIACP panel plays a vital role in shaping the presentation of First Peoples contemporary art at Melbourne Art Fair, bringing deep cultural knowledge, curatorial expertise and sector leadership to the selection process.

Since its inception, the WMIACP has supported eleven art centres through fully and partially funded exhibition opportunities at Melbourne Art Fair and has generated over AUD$1.7M in artwork sales. Participating art centres have included; Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre (2022), Ikuntji Artists (2026), Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association (2022, 2026), Milingimbi Art & Culture (2022), Moa Arts (2024,2025, 2026), Munupi Arts & Crafts Association (2024,2025, 2026), Papunya Tjupi Arts (2024, 2025, 2026), Walkatjara Art Uluru (2026), Warlayirti Artists (2022), Waringarri Aboriginal Arts (2022) and Wik & Kugu Arts Centre (2024, 2025).

Initiated and delivered by Melbourne Art Foundation, the program honours the legacy of the late William Mora, a Victorian gallerist and cultural patron who championed meaningful engagement with Indigenous-owned art centres within commercial gallery and art fair contexts. The program recognises the vital role art centres play in sustaining First Peoples artistic and cultural practice, supporting communities, and strengthening connection to Country through art.

Expressions of interest for the 2027 WMIACP are open to all Indigenous-owned art centres. Expressions of interest close 9 July 2026.

About the panel:

Janina Harding

Janina Harding is a proud Meriam (Erub/Mer) woman and first-generation to be born and raised in Naarm (Melbourne). With extensive experience across First Peoples cultural projects, arts management, public broadcasting, events, and employment programs, she has held leadership roles with numerous Indigenous arts and advisory bodies.

Dr. Jessica Clark is a proud Trawlwoolway woman born in lutruwita/trowunna and currently living and working on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm/Melbourne. She is a curator, researcher and writer with a background in art history and art education and currently holds the position of Senior Curator, First Nations Art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Previous institution-based curatorial positions include Curator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) (2022-25); Curatorial Manager, Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair at Creative Victoria (2024-25); and Ursula Hoff Fellow, University of Melbourne (2024-26). Clark holds a PhD Fine Art and Music (2023), Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, having completed practice-led curatorial research of which was awarded The Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence 2024. Currently, Clark serves on the NETS Victoria board (2024-) and as Art Form Advisor at The Substation (2025-).

Shanysa McConville is an Eastern Arrernte woman from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) based in Naarm (Melbourne). She received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Ancient World Studies from the University of Melbourne, where she now works as the Associate Curator, Art Museums and Indigenous Collections. In addition to these roles, Shanysa teaches at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University.