Walking Together: The Rhoda Roberts AO Cultural Exchange
The Rhoda Roberts AO Cultural Exchange is an expansion of First Nations programming at the Opera House conceived by the late Rhoda Roberts AO and developed with the generous support of our donors.
Building on the foundation of DanceRites, SongRites and other First Nations programming, it brings international First Nations artists into direct creative exchange with our own. It establishes, for the first time, a permanent annual home for international First Nations performance on one of the world’s most recognisable stages, a place where Rhoda shaped First Nations storytelling for many years.
Continuing a legacy
Rhoda Roberts AO
Across more than three decades, Rhoda forged an extraordinary career as a broadcaster, actor, producer, director, advisor and artistic director. A proud Bundjalung woman of the Wiyebal clan, she was a pioneering presence on Australian screens as the first Aboriginal presenter on prime-time television.
As a co-founder of the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust, she played a vital role in establishing pathways for First Nations theatre and supporting the emergence of voices that continue to redefine Australian performance. Her artistic leadership extended across major festivals and significant national moments, including the Festival of the Dreaming in 1997 and creative roles for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, as well as groundbreaking work with the Dreaming Festival, Boomerang Festival, NORPA, Parrtjima Festival and the Sydney Opera House.
Rhoda served as an Opera House Trustee from 1998 to 2006, beginning the tradition of at least one Trustee being First Nations. In 2012 Rhoda was appointed as our inaugural Head of First Nations Programming. She worked in the role for nine years, embedding First Nations programming and creative expression across all programming streams. In every context, Rhoda championed deep cultural knowledge, artistic excellence and meaningful and meaningful community engagement.
In every context, Rhoda championed deep cultural knowledge, artistic excellence and meaningful community engagement.
Before she passed, Rhoda was asked what she would want in a program honouring her legacy. Her answer was clear: collaboration between Australia’s First Nations artists and their counterparts overseas.
Rhoda Roberts AOTo share and celebrate First Nations culture together can be a path to a shared future and I’ve continued to turn that belief into action for many years.
The program
Each year, the Rhoda Roberts AO Cultural Exchange will add a major international First Nations performance to the existing program and, depending on available funding, provide an opportunity for Australian First Nations artists to travel overseas to meet with international counterparts.
Each presentation at the Opera House will be held on the Forecourt or in one of the Opera House’s Western Foyer venues (Drama Theatre, Studio, Playhouse), with its own billing to ensure the international work is promoted in its own right.
Closed-door artist exchanges between visiting and host performers will encourage deep dialogue about practice, culture and country. These will be complemented by open workshops for emerging First Nations artists, public talks and an education program designed for school students.
The Sydney Opera House has a long-standing relationship with SBS and NITV, enabling the broadcast of much of our First Nations programming. The Rhoda Roberts AO performances will form part of this relationship.
When fully funded, the program will also enable First Nations artists from Australia to travel overseas and collaborate with international First Nations performing arts groups. This exchange will ideally occur annually alongside the presentation at the Opera House, depending on the level of funding available.
Support
The Rhoda Roberts AO Cultural Exchange is funded entirely through philanthropy, utilising the Opera House’s programming expertise and cultural infrastructure. To achieve its true potential and fulfill Rhoda’s wishes, we invite foundations and individual donors to join us with a leadership gift, or to join The Walking Together Giving Circle.
Every gift contributes directly to artists, exchange and education.
To discuss the program, request a private meeting, or confirm a gift please contact our Philanthropy team:
Sarah Miller
Head of Philanthropy
Sydney Opera House
philanthropy@sydneyoperahouse.com
Our heartfelt thanks to the following donors for their transformational support.
Lead donors
The Skrzynski Foundation
Ann Sherry AO & Michael Hogan
The Walking Together Giving Circle
Georgia Cordukes
Nicola Penn
Dr Anna Shepherd & David Flemming