Matt Ward

Matt Ward is the Director of Outstation – art from art centres. Established in 2008, Outstation is based in Parap, Darwin’s art precinct and works exclusively with Art Centres. The gallery has quickly become known for its innovative exhibition calendar and its strong focus on emerging artists. Since Outstation Gallery opened its doors it has been very successful in placing artworks in numerous public institutions as well as many significant private collections.

Matt moved to the NT in 2000 after completing a BA (Anthropology) at the ANU and a Masters of Teaching at the University of Sydney. He was employed as a Primary School teacher at the Maningrida Community Education Centre for four years. In 2004 he moved to Darwin and established and ran the Maningrida Arts and Culture Gallery until early 2007.

Prior to launching Outstation, Matt spent a brief period working at the Association for Northern Kimberley Aboriginal Artists (ANKAAA), the peak advocacy and support agency for Art Centres and Aboriginal Artists across the Top End.

Having lived in a remote Indigenous community, worked for one of Australia’s most well respected art centres and travelled to many Art Centres during his time at ANKAAA and also in the course of running a successful commercial gallery, Matt has a comprehensive understanding of the Indigenous Art Industry and the issues and complexities that are a part of it.