Akala Newman is a Wiradjuri/Gadigal multi-disciplined performer, songwriter, educator and cultural producer whose experience includes cultural care practices. The Urban List once described Akala Newman as a “Bonafide triple threat we really can’t get enough of at the moment". Since her early days in NSW Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Company run by Bangarra, Newtown Performing Arts High School and a Sydney University Performance Studies student graduating with Hons First Class, it's hard to pinpoint her in one direction, she creates a genre that is uniquely her own storytelling and creating worlds in many forms from the stage to academia. 

Her artistry is influenced by fantasy and magic; she challenges the notion of what it means to be a First Nations woman today and to live by your own narrative. She wrote and performed the opening song for the New Year's Eve Fireworks at Sydney Opera House, ‘Calling Country’. She won the inaugural Indigitube song contest where she was flown to Darwin to perform at the National Indigenous Music Awards and opened the Women's World Cup draw in Aotearoa with Gawura Dance Company. Akala also starred in Brook Andrew’s GABAN  for the opening season of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Sydney Modern. 

Akala began her producing career at Moogahlin Performing Arts (Carriageworks), is now a First Nations Consultant at Arts and Cultural Exchange in Parramatta; First Nations Academic lecturer, and Student Coordinator at the National Art School;  Artist Educator at the Museum of Contemporary Arts; Research Assistant at University of New South Wales and Intimacy Coordinator with Key Intimate Scenes Australia, where she's most proud to have worked on Whitefella Yella Tree (Griffin Theatre) and While The Men are Away (Arcadia/ SBS). In 2023, Akala received both the Koori Radio Artist Residency and The Red Rattler Artist Residency where she looks forward to continuing her art practices and working with the community to inspire, uplift and celebrate First People’s Voices.

This year, Akala will curate her event Gili Gatherings for PACT’s iconic ‘PACT HOUSE’ program, aimed at giving curatorial opportunities to emerging artists and curators. Gili Gatherings is a day-long event that celebrates and spotlights the voices and stories of First Nations people. On the 5th of August, PACT Centre for Emerging Artists’ iconic Erskineville Warehouse will illuminate an experiential collective community glow. Gili meaning ‘to shine’ in the Gadigal language, inspires this live event through storytelling in many forms from the firepit, to the stage, to the stars in the sky. The day will comprise a series of curated activities and events including healing yoga, a clothes swap market, food stalls, live artwork, poetry, dance, music, voguing, drag and so much more. Learn more by checking out www.pact.net.au/giligatherings

Instagram: @akala_newman

Facebook: Akala Newman 

Website: akalanewman.com