Dr Virginia Keft
Artist | First Nations Producer | Curator
7 Helicia Ave Figtree, NSW Australia 2500
Summary
Dr. Virginia Keft is an experienced First Nations Producer, Program Coordinator & Curator with over 25 years experience working with artists, dancers, and Arts community members. In her current roles as 'Producer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs', at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Australia), Virginia brings her passion for making contemporary visual culture accessible to broad audiences together with her commitment to help drive change through innovative and culturally safe arts and culture programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through this role Virginia founded and developed, 'Art Yarns: For Older and Elder Mob', a culturally responsive participatory contemporary art program designed to support the social, emotional, and cultural well-being needs of Aboriginal peoples living with dementia and their families and communities.
Virginia is a proud Muruwari Woman living on Dharawal Country. Dr Keft holds a Doctorate (PhD - Medalist) from the University of Wollongong, along with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA - Distinction), and a Bachelor of Arts (BA - Class 1 Honours).
Virginia is a well-respected researcher in her field and has published and presented papers on Arts and Culture, dance performance, and Indigenous Arts and Wellbeing. More recently, Virginia was the recipient of the National Gallery of Australia's prestigious, Indigenous Leadership Program 2022.
Virginia is the Founding Director, Arts Manager and Producer of award winning dance company, Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance. She is an active member of the Queer community, Virginia sits on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and sits on the First Nations Arts Board of the Red Rattler Theatre.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
37
37
years of post-secondary education
9
9
Certifications
Work History
Producer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Museum Of Contemporary Art, Australia
1 2021 - Current
bangawarra Art Yarns: for older and Elder mob.
This offsite program enables the MCA to connect with targeted communities to build relationships, trust and engagement through a facilitated program of hands on art making and to share the important role contemporary art plays in our community.
Weaving Garden Lead - Powerhouse & PAS Parramatta
Powerhouse Museum & Parramatta Artist Studios
2023.01 - Current
The Weaving Collective, led by muruwari artist and weaver, Dr Virginia Keft, is a group of artists and First Nations knowledge holders who are working collaboratively with Parramatta Artists’ Studios and Powerhouse Parramatta. The Collective is actively engaged with the local communities of Parramatta to develop conversations, community engagement and research that will embed and grow creative strategies for an onsite Weaving Garden at Powerhouse Parramatta in 2025.
First Nations Producer
Blacktown Arts, Blacktown City Council
2021.09 - 2022.09
First Nations Advisory Board
Australian Design Centre
2023.04 - Current
Director | Principal
Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance
2005.01 - Current
Director | Producer
Wollongong Belly Dance Festival
2011.01 - 2017.01
Education
Ph.D. - English Literature, Philosophy, Visual Arts
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW 2002.01 - 2007.01
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Philosophy, Cultural Studies
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW 1997.01 - 2001.01
Associate Diploma of Fine Arts - Fine Arts
TAFE
Wollongong, NSW 1995.01 - 1997.01
Relevant Further Eduction - Aboriginal Studies
University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW 2020.01 - 2020.06
Relevant Further Eduction - Dementia Research & Education
University of Tasmania
Hobart, TAS 2020.01 - 2020.06
Certification - Dementia Research & Education
Dance Health Alliance
Noosa, QLD 2020.01 - 2020.01
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Arts, Visual Arts & Design
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW 1997.01 - 2021.01
Certification - Dementia Research & Education
Dance Health Alliance
Noosa, QLD 2020.01 - 2021.01
Skills
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge - demonstrated understanding of issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture.
Event management | Project Coordinator - over 20 years experience planning, designing and delivering creative dance and art programs for people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Self-motivated with excellent verbal and written communication skills - including the ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages.
Technical Skill - High proficiency in word processing (Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Forms). Sound knowledge of audio-visual equipment such as projectors and sound systems, laptops. Proficient knowledge of audio and video editing software.
Websites
Certification
AIATSIS Sponsorship Award 2021 - The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
Publications - Selected Works
References
Yael Filipovic, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Public Engagement Manager, (MCA).
E: yael.filipovic@mca.com.au
PH: +61-2-9250 8425
Timeline
UOW Alumni Awards: Arts and Culture - University of Wollongong
2023-10
First Nations Advisory Board
Australian Design Centre
2023.04 - Current
Weaving Garden Lead - Powerhouse & PAS Parramatta
Powerhouse Museum & Parramatta Artist Studios
2023.01 - Current
First Nations Producer
Blacktown Arts, Blacktown City Council
2021.09 - 2022.09
AIATSIS Sponsorship Award 2021 - The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
2021-01
Relevant Further Eduction - Dementia Research & Education
University of Tasmania
2020.01 - 2020.06
Certification - Dementia Research & Education
Dance Health Alliance
2020.01 - 2020.01
Certification - Dementia Research & Education
Dance Health Alliance
2020.01 - 2021.01
Relevant Further Eduction - Aboriginal Studies
University of Sydney
2020.01 - 2020.06
SMARK International Award - SMARK: International Dance Festival, Dubai.
2018-01
Director | Producer
Wollongong Belly Dance Festival
2011.01 - 2017.01
Director | Principal
Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance
2005.01 - Current
The Australian Postgraduate Award - Scholarship Recipient (APA, University of Wollongong)
2002-01
Ph.D. - English Literature, Philosophy, Visual Arts
University of Wollongong
2002.01 - 2007.01
University Medal - Faculty of Arts. Awarded with approval by the Vice-Chancellor to one student across a Faculty with the highest average mark across all units in a single year (University of Wollongong).
2001-01
The Dorothy Jones Prize, Faculty of Arts - Awarded to the student with highest average mark in English subjects. (University of Wollongong)
2001-01
The Identity and Cultural Difference Research Group - Scholarship (The Institute of Social Change and Critical Inquiry, Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong)
2000-01
Executive Dean's Merit List - for outstanding academic performance (University of Wollongong) Consecutive Recipient (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)
1998-01
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Arts, Visual Arts & Design
University of Wollongong
1997.01 - 2021.01
Golden Key International Honour Society (University of Wollongong)
1997-01
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Philosophy, Cultural Studies
University of Wollongong
1997.01 - 2001.01
Associate Diploma of Fine Arts - Fine Arts
TAFE
1995.01 - 1997.01
Producer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Museum Of Contemporary Art, Australia
1 2021 - Current
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