Corroboree Sydney 2013 will roll out its inaugural program of events this November with an over-arching objective to connect people in a celebration of Australia’s rich Indigenous cultures.

Corroboree Sydney 2013 will be held over 11 days

Bringing together nine of Sydney’s leading cultural organisations under the one banner for the first time, Corroboree Sydney is set to deliver a showcase of the best visual and performing arts, sharing the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

Held over 11 days, Corroboree Sydney is a mix of free and ticketed events held around the Harbour foreshore and arts precinct giving visitors opportunities to engage with artists, authors and performers embracing literature, visual arts, performing arts, live music, films, crafts and design.

“The NSW Government is proud to support Corroboree Sydney, an event of considerable importance to Indigenous communities both here in NSW and across Australia,” said NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, The Hon George Souris.

“Corroboree Sydney will showcase a diverse, vibrant program that will bring together activities, exhibitions and performances produced by some of our most significant Indigenous artists and institutions.

“Destination NSW estimates Corroboree Sydney will deliver approximately $21 million in direct economic impact over the next three years, with an expected 55,000 interstate, intrastate and international visitors to attend,” he said.

Australia’s largest hotel group has reinforced its commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, confirming its support for the Corroboree festival.

Many of Accor’s 15 hotels across Sydney will be involved as key accommodation and promotional partners during the event, including the Sebel Pier One Sydney, Mercure Sydney, Novotel Sydney Central, Ibis World Square, The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney, and the Mercure Sydney Potts Point.

“Accor is honoured to be able to support this significant inaugural festival, which we’re confident will become an important annual event on Sydney’s arts calendar,” said Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer of Accor Pacific.

“Corroboree has been created to promote greater understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of Australia’s Indigenous culture. Accor’s own corporate vision to at once celebrate and raise the profile of indigenous ambassadors and their culture, both at work and in a broader community context, so the festival is a natural alliance for us.

“With our commanding position in the tourism sector, Accor is always proud to support new platforms to promote Indigenous culture, and to take a leadership role in developing new opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“We currently achieve this with the support of organisations as diverse as Reconciliation Australia, Tourism Australia, Mission Australia, Ayres Rock Resort, Supply Nation, the NRL and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), but we’re very excited to working with Corroboree as our newest collaborator in an arts and culture capacity,” he said.

For the past 13 years Accor has been widely recognised for its involvement in Indigenous employment programs and community groups.

With a commitment to actively seeking, training and hiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, Accor held 20 Indigenous Employment Training Programs around Australia in 2012 which saw the successful employment of over 100 Indigenous career seekers employed in a variety of positions within Accor.

The group was consequently awarded the 2012 Corporate Partner Award by the Aboriginal Employment Strategy for its positive contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the local community.