Digital skills spark new creative ideas in Arkai (Kubin) on Mua Island

“It was the bomb!” exclaimed Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) Coordinator Charlotte Pearson, reflecting on the free digital workshops State Library delivered in her community of Arkai (Kubin) - Mua Island in March.

Using the IKC’s new digital equipment for the first time, local community members dived into workshops in Digital Storytelling, Digital Arts, and Pocket Cinema with State Library presenter Daniel Guest.

Feedback from all the participants was hugely positive. For some, the workshops were their first foray into using creative digital tools, opening up exciting new possibilities for arts and storytelling.

“I'd describe this program as revolutionary,” said local artist Nathan who attended the Digital Storytelling workshop.

“You can start to tell stories in a new light in a different way. Digital seems to be the go these days and when people see new graphic novels of just little stories - doesn't matter if it's traditional or not, or if it's just personal or just fun little stories - then people can gravitate to that. I think that’s what makes this program so special, and I really like it. I highly recommend it.”

David, another artist, thinks the workshops offer a valuable outlet for young people to express themselves through digitally created content for social media platforms like TikTok.

“You never know what creativity the younger generation have in them, and I believe it’s the way forward for our community,” he said.

Louisa, a carer, attended all the workshops with different clients as a way for them to experience something new.

"Come along and try it out and see what you can do” she said.

Artists David, Nathan, and Fred were especially inspired by how they could integrate digital tools into their work. Among the new equipment they’ll have access to at the IKC are laptops, tablets, an interactive screen, audio kits for interviews, and a sublimation printer and heat press to produce custom designs on clothing and fabrics.

Staff from the nearby Moa Arts Centre also popped in to take a look at the new equipment to see how it might stimulate local arts projects.

The workshops are part of State Library’s Growing IKCs project which supports 15 First Nations councils to build their IKC digital capacity through access to IT equipment, delivery of place-based digital skills programs, and digital training for IKC staff.

IKC Coordinator and workshop participant Charlotte is an established digital champion and is leading a project to digitise First Nations local collections as one of State Library’s Library Leaders of 2024. The digital workshops and other training she receives will enable her to lead the delivery of digital programs at the IKC in the future.

The Mapping the Digital Gap 2024 Outcomes Report highlights significant barriers to digital inclusion persist. These include access and affordability challenges, a lack of digital support, language obstacles, and concerns about scams and cyber-safety.

The report emphasises that some groups—such as people aged over 45, people with disability, language speakers, individuals with limited educational attainment, and those not currently in the workforce—face an urgent need for programs to develop digital ability and online safety awareness amid rapid digital transformation of services.

State Library is taking the digital workshops to Woorabinda, Kirriri (Hammond Island), and Cherbourg, followed by Mapoon in April, with many more workshops to come.

Asked what potential participants can expect, Arkai local Fred encouraged people to have a go.

“It’s interesting and I think the community should come and be part of it, learning new experiences and skills,” he said. “It’s good.”

The Growing IKCs project is funded by Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business through Our Thriving Digital Future: Queensland’s Digital Economy Strategy 2023-2026

Ready to learn new digital skills?

Contact your local library or Knowledge Centre about digital activities or download the Digital and You app www.digitalandyou.com.au/app to find free digital workshops and online learning programs.

Find out more about the Growing IKCs project: www.digitalandyou.com.au/growing-ikcs