The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney is featuring the Philippine-Australian Arts, Culture and Innovation Central (ACI Central) as part of its offering for the Museums and Galleries Month (MGM). ACI Central is a performance space, art gallery and networking hub based in Sydney. It aims to highlight the unique heritage of Filipinos as demonstrated by their art, music and cultural traditions.
On 20 October, Consul Melanie Diano, Cultural Attache Nova de Lara and consular staff visited ACI Central. They were welcomed by a number of members and officers of NARRA (National Alliance of Responsible & Respectable Associations) led by Dr Jaime Lopez, founding President of NARRA and Plaza Filipino. On the occasion, the paintings by Melissa Yap was featured.
Consul Melanie Diano said:
"The Philippine Consulate would like to thank ACI Central, Mr. Jimmy Lopez, Mr. Albert Prias, Plaza Filipino and Narra Inc. for allowing us to feature the ACI Central in celebration of the Museums and Galleries Month this October. This project is organised by the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism, Sydney."
The video of the visit showing ACI and the exhibitions will be shown on the Philippine Consulate General Sydney on Saturday, October 23 at 6pm on its FB page.
ACI Central is also an “innovation” hub, providing a space for Filipino-Australian technology start-ups and small business entrepreneurs to meet and network. It is currently situated in Shop 4 (Ground floor), Artisan Building on 3-9 Warby Street in Campbelltown. Street parking is available and the nearest train station is Campbelltown. (For more information, check out their FB page.
Background Information
The MGM is observed every month of October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 798, s. 1991. It underscores the importance of arousing national consciousness and pride in our rich Filipino culture and heritage embodying the aspirations of the nation, expressed in all media of art as well as historical and religious artefacts. This rich Filipino cultural heritage embodies the aspiration of the nation. The observance recognizes that these cultural and art forms are necessary for nation-building and shaping national destiny.
In 2021, we are celebrating MGM with the theme “Showcasing the Nation, Shaping the Filipino ImagiNation” to highlight the complex and challenging role of museums and galleries in presenting the national narrative and in shaping the minds of those who shape this ongoing narrative.
As spaces that recount stories and rekindle imagination freely, museums and galleries are major influences on how our nation perceives itself. They are institutions that narrate our country’s history from our perspective; how our culture and identity evolved through struggles and victories reflecting our core values born from those circumstances.