The National Institute of Dramatic Art has awarded glass artist Mel George an Indigenous Fellowship in Cultural Leadership. The $300,000 grant, provided by the Luminis Foundation, provides significant financial assistance to Indigenous creative professionals undertaking an Master of Fine Arts in Cultural Leadership at NIDA.

Of Aboriginal and Greek heritage, George has taught at the prestigious Corning Museum in New York and has worked in the glass industry both in Australia and the United States. She is also a passionate advocate for Indigenous crafts. “Although always rumoured amongst some family members, research has unveiled that my paternal grandmother was forced to renounce her Aboriginality and thus, was unable to ever speak about her past and her culture,” George explains. “I see myself as a connector. I want to amplify the visibility of artistic excellence that exists in the most remote and inaccessible areas of our country. I believe that a key part of the long and difficult reconciliation process is through arts and culture”.

“I feel privileged to have been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Luminis Foundation Indigenous Fellowship for Cultural Leadership and sincerely thank the Luminis Foundation for their support and generosity,” she adds.