Opening in March 2011, the Yaama Ganu Gallery is a not-for-profit Aboriginal art gallery and cafe. The Gallery proudly supports and features consigned works from artists of the local Kamilaroi Nation and Aboriginal managed Art Centres from communities around Australia. Art Centre’s are community based enterprises which provide economic, social and cultural benefits to Aboriginal people and play a vital role in their communities. The Yaama Ganu Gallery will only exhibit works from these Art Centre’s to ensure that all exhibited artists are paid the market value for their work.
The Yaama Ganu Gallery is owned and operated by the Aboriginal Employment Strategy. The AES is a 100% managed, national, not-for-profit recruitment company. The AES started in Moree in 1997 by cotton farmer, Dick Estens AO, with the support of the cotton industry through the Gwydir Valley Cotton Growers Association. The AES grew out of recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody to establish promotion committees nationwide for Aboriginal Employment. The AES is seen as an innovator and leader in Aboriginal employment and training.
The Yaama Ganu Gallery is a member of the Indigenous Art Code. The Indigenous Art Code was established to promote fair and ethical trade in works of art by Indigenous artists.