Iltja Ntjarra / Many Hands Art Centre is supported by funding from the Australian Government through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support.

Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre is proudly Aboriginal owned and directed. It is the home of the Namatjira watercolour artists. The art centre has a special focus on supporting the ‘Hermannsburg School’ style watercolour artists, who continue to paint in the tradition of their grandfather and relative, Albert Namatjira, arguably one of Australia’s most famous artists of the 20^th century.

Albert Namatjira taught his children to follow in his unique style, who have since passed this knowledge on to their children, which has resonated in a legacy of watercolour artists in the Central Desert region. By continuing his legacy, these artists sustain an important piece of living history.

Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre was established by Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation and started operating in 2004. In June 2016, Iltja Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 8426) was newly incorporated by the Western Aranda Artists associated with the Art Centre. The centre is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a place for Western Aranda artists to come together to paint, share and learn new techniques and ideas. We are strongly committed to improving economic participation of Aboriginal people and maintaining cultural heritage. We are proud of our ethical work practices and aim to return the greatest possible percentage of sales to the artist.

The things that are most important to us are:

• The watercolour painting style
• To welcome all Aboriginal artists to paint with us
• To welcome and encourage youth to paint with us
• To pass down stories about our Country and culture
• To teach about the legacy of the Hermannsburg School of Watercolour art movement
• To tell stories of learning from our grandfather and relative Albert Namatjira
• To support and keep culture strong
• To promote the effective and ethical sale of artworks
• To provide increased economic benefit directly to the artists through sales, professional development, exhibitions and marketing