Agency
Agency (Agency Projects) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led not-for-profit that delivers exhibitions, talks, residencies, and digital programs connecting 32 Indigenous-owned Art Centres and 436+ artists with national and international cultural institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersCollingwood, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Agency does
Agency (legally Agency Projects) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led not-for-profit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Collingwood, Melbourne/Naarm. It operates as a cultural intermediary that brokers exhibitions, talks, commissions, residencies, and international programs connecting 32 Indigenous-owned Art Centres and 436+ artists annually with national and international audiences and institutional partners. Its portfolio of programs includes the core Exhibition Program (delivered through the Wukuṉ Waṉambi Project Space and touring exhibitions such as Maḏayin), the UNTOLD Talks Series (operating in Darwin, Melbourne/Naarm, and at MPavilion and Garma Festival), the UPLANDS immersive digital resource, the KNOWN publication series with Perimeter Editions, and environmental initiatives like Rubbish on the Shore addressing marine debris on Sea Country.
The organization is funded through a multi-stream model including Australian Government grants (Indigenous Visual Art Industry Support/IVAIS and Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand/RISE programs), corporate partnerships (Padre Coffee 'Good Coffee Doing Good'), private philanthropy (the Impact Circle, Naomi Milgrom Foundation, Copyright Agency Cultural Fund), and tax-deductible donations under its DGR-registered charity status. In FY22/23 Agency grew annual turnover 200% from A$904K to A$2M, facilitated 84 projects across 32 Art Centres, delivered 39 public events, and partnered with 12 cultural institutions including Powerhouse Museum, National Gallery of Victoria, and Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection. International activities have expanded to the United States, Italy, Singapore, China, and Mexico through residencies, exhibitions, and diplomatic engagements.
The organization operates with a lean team of 6 staff, governed by a board chaired by Lauren Ganley (head of Telstra's First Nations Strategy), and underwent a significant leadership transition in March 2025 when founding CEO Kade McDonald departed and Lydia Miller (Kuku Yalanji and Waanyi) was appointed Interim CEO, marking a formal shift to First Nations executive leadership. Agency is a member of the Indigenous Art Code and adheres to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols, which functions as a regulatory and ethical form of differentiation for institutional partners seeking authentic Indigenous-led engagement.
Agency firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Agency
- Legal name
- Agency Projects
- Website
- https://agencyprojects.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Agency (Agency Projects) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led not-for-profit that delivers exhibitions, talks, residencies, and digital programs connecting 32 Indigenous-owned Art Centres and 436+ artists with national and international cultural institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Agency industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indigenous Arts & Cultural Services
- NAICS
- Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)
Keywords
Where Agency is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Collingwood
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Agency business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Funding: Agency secures sustainable investment from government sources to support targeted activities benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and cultural leaders. This includes funding from Indigenous Visual Art Industry Support (IVAIS) program and Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) program.
- Corporate and Philanthropic Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate entities and private philanthropists who support Agency's programs and impact. The Impact Circle brings together visionaries who support Indigenous-led programs.
- Donations: Agency is a Registered Charity with Item 1 DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status. All donations are tax deductible. One-off donations are welcomed to support their mission.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Agency product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Agency is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led not-for-profit that delivers exhibitions, talks, residencies, commissions, digital resources and industry support services connecting Indigenous artists and Art Centres with audiences, collectors and institutional partners across Australia and overseas. Its work spans the Wukuŋ Waŋambi Project Space gallery in Collingwood, the UNTOLD Talks Series, the UPLANDS digital platform, the KNOWN publication series, international touring exhibitions such as Maḏayin, and cross-disciplinary initiatives addressing environmental and cultural priorities.
Product overview
Agency is a not-for-profit organization that operates as a catalyst for connection, engagement, and impact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, communities and culture. The organization delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs: its core Exhibition Program showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at its gallery space and through partnerships with institutions; the UNTOLD Talks Series brings together First Nations voices for conversations and storytelling events; UPLANDS is an immersive digital platform featuring 'digital twins' of Art Centres; KNOWN is a publication series elevating Indigenous artists through critical writing; and environmental initiatives like Rubbish on the Shore address marine debris issues. The organization also facilitates international residencies, commissions, and partnerships with cultural institutions worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Exhibition Program Agency's core exhibition program showcases creative practice of urban, regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, designed to connect contemporary artists with new audiences and collectors, provide professional development, and generate economic return for artists and communities.
- UNTOLD Talks Series Free conversation series that brings together leading First Nations artists, creatives and leaders for storytelling, conversation and exchange across multiple Australian locations including Melbourne, Darwin and partner festivals.
- UPLANDS Digital Platform Immersive digital resource that celebrates and shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic and cultural practices with the world, featuring digital twins of participating Art Centres with embedded voices of more than 150 Indigenous artists and arts workers.
- KNOWN Series Multilingual publication series that promotes contemporary Indigenous Australian artists through critical writing by Indigenous writers, facilitating dialogue between artists, communities, and writers. Published by Perimeter Editions.
- Wukuŋ Waŋambi Project Space Agency's dedicated gallery and project space at 47 Easey Street, Collingwood, hosting exhibitions, talks and community events. Named in honour of Mr Wanambi's contribution to the arts and Agency's establishment.
- Rubbish on the Shore Cross-cultural think tank exploring design solutions for ghost net and marine debris pollution impacting Sea Country across Northern Australia, including live builds, symposiums and the Warraw' pavilion constructed from retrieved ghost nets.
- Gallery Space Rental Venue service offering Agency's gallery space at 47 Easey Street, Collingwood for exhibitions, events and community programs, including the Wukuŋ Waŋambi Project Space.
- Philanthropic Partnerships & Impact Circle Structured giving program (Agency Projects Impact Circle) for philanthropic individuals and trusts to support Indigenous-led programs, alongside one-off tax-deductible donations enabled by Agency's Registered Charity and Item 1 DGR status.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200% increase in annual turnover from $904,000 to $2 million
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Agency
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Agency technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Agency partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Powerhouse MuseumcoreAgency partnered with Powerhouse to produce Alchemy - a series of new commissions by independent artists and art centres. Alchemy was the first exhibition at the expanded Powerhouse Castle Hill.
- National Gallery of VictoriacoreAgency partners with NGV on various exhibitions and programs, including the Melbourne Design Fair collaboration.
- Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art CollectioncoreAgency assisted in fundraising and supported international delegations of Yolŋu artists for the Maḏayin touring exhibition - the most significant exhibition of bark painting to tour the United States.
- Yothu Yindi FoundationcoreAgency curates the creative program for the annual Garma Festival, including talks, panel conversations, performances, film and storytelling at the Dhäwu'mi Wäŋa pavilion.
- Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art CentrecorePartnership on Maḏayin exhibition and ongoing exhibitions including Bukmak (Everyone) featuring works from Yirrkala artists.
- Martumili ArtistscoreCo-presented Anya's Puntawarri World! exhibition at Melbourne Art Fair 2026.
- Warlayirti ArtistscorePartnership on Luurn, the Kingfisher exhibition featuring Kukatja artist Miriam Baadjo.
- Numbulwar Numburindi ArtscoreCollaborative exhibition Ritharrŋu Manabamidi: Together and ongoing support through Padre Coffee partnership.
- Padre CoffeesupportingGood Coffee Doing Good program where $4 from every kilo sold of Golden Rule blend supports Agency and impacted art centres.
- MPavilioncoreAnnual partnership presenting UNTOLD Talks at MPavilion in Naarm/Melbourne since 2022.
- Sydney ContemporarycoreAgency presents First Nations Voices program featuring talks and tours at the annual Sydney Contemporary art fair.
- Melbourne Art FaircoreAgency participates in FUTUREOBJEKT at Melbourne Art Fair and supports Indigenous Art Centre Program.
- FARM Cultural Park (Sicily)coreSince 2019, Agency has brought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to Sicily for residencies and exhibitions.
- Perimeter/Perimeter EditionscorePublisher of KNOWN publication series elevating contemporary Indigenous Australian artists.
- La Trobe Art InstitutesupportingOngoing yearly program of residencies for First Nations participants in Bendigo.
- Centre for Contemporary PhotographysupportingPartnership on We Were Just Little Boys exhibition and book launch by Tace Stevens.
- Yarrenyty Arltere ArtistscorePartnership on Agency X Yarrenyty Arltere Takeover exhibition during Melbourne Fashion Week 2025.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Agency competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation: Operates the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, a major national platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres; directly comparable given shared Art Centre focus and audience-development model.
- Yothu Yindi Foundation: Indigenous-led foundation that operates the Garma Festival, which Agency curates programming for; a closely partnered peer sharing the First Nations-led events and cultural-sector remit.
- Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute: Adelaide-based Aboriginal-led cultural institution presenting First Nations exhibitions, performances and programs; directly comparable as a national Indigenous-led presenting and commissioning body.
- Cairns Indigenous Art Fair: Annual Indigenous art fair that supports Art Centres and artists with national/international exposure; comparable mission and stakeholder base to Agency's exhibition, fair and Art Centre programming.
Broad incumbents
- Indigenous Art Code: The peak body promoting ethical practice in the Indigenous visual arts sector; comparable as the other national Indigenous-arts-supporting organisation of which Agency is a member, serving overlapping Art Centre and institutional audiences.
Peers
- Vivien Anderson Gallery: Melbourne-based gallery specialising in Indigenous Australian art with international programmes; comparable commercial-facing intermediary for Aboriginal art that Agency also represents.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Agency social profiles
Digital presenceAgency financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Agency leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Agency funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Agency M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Agency
What does Agency do?
Agency is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led not-for-profit that delivers exhibitions, talks, residencies, commissions, digital resources and industry support services connecting Indigenous artists and Art Centres with audiences, collectors and institutional partners across Australia and overseas. Its work spans the Wukuŋ Waŋambi Project Space gallery in Collingwood, the UNTOLD Talks Series, the UPLANDS digital platform, the KNOWN publication series, international touring exhibitions such as Maḏayin, and cross-disciplinary initiatives addressing environmental and cultural priorities.
Is Agency a public or private company?
Agency is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Agency founded?
Agency was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Agency based?
Agency is headquartered in Collingwood, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Agency make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are corporate and Philanthropic Partnerships and donations.
Who are Agency's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, Yothu Yindi Foundation, Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Indigenous Art Code is listed as a broad incumbent. Vivien Anderson Gallery is listed as a peer.
Does Agency have an API?
No public API is recorded for Agency.
What industry is Agency in?
Agency's product category is Indigenous Arts & Cultural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAI, Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations. Its NAICS code is 711410 and its SIC code is 8600.