Last weekend the Yours & Owls Festival featured more Indigenous artists than ever before through a new partnership with Awesome Black, as part of the NSW 24-Hour Economy Strategy.

The collaboration aims to embed Indigenous storytelling into the festival experience and create long-term opportunities for Indigenous artists.

Gamilaroi man and Awesome Black Founder and Executive Director, Travis De Vries, said the partnership is about more than just increasing Indigenous representation.

"Our partnership with Yours & Owls goes beyond just increasing First Nations representation in the lineup, it's about embedding Indigenous storytelling into the DNA of the festival."

The partnership includes on-the-ground support for artists, professional photography, and social content to amplify their work beyond the festival.

"The Respect Country Installation – This isn't just a festival chill-out zone; it's a culturally safe space designed to educate and engage attendees on what it means to truly respect the land they're on."

Mr De Vries also highlighted the festival's ongoing relationship with the Dharawal Nation.

"By curating a strong First Nations presence at a major festival like Yours & Owls, we're creating visibility and new career opportunities for artists," he said.

"This exposure often leads to further bookings, industry recognition, and long-term career growth."

Mr De Vries noted Indigenous artists remain underrepresented due to industry gatekeeping, lack of funding, and the need for culturally safe performance environments.

"There are still barriers to entry, from a lack of First Nations-led venues and programming spaces to limited access to industry networks that can help get artists on big stages."

"Many festivals and venues may want to include more Indigenous artists but don't allocate the necessary budget or production support to ensure their success."

Awesome Black is working to address these challenges.

"We work to create cultural safety, provide logistical support, and ensure that venues and festivals are prepared to host First Nations talent in a respectful way."

He acknowledged Yours & Owls' ongoing efforts.

"Yours & Owls was already doing so much in this space – so we were really able to come in and amplify what they were already doing."

Through the partnership, additional funding has been allocated for Indigenous artists.

"We've ensured that additional budget has been allocated for First Nations artists – not just for performance fees, but for improved stage production to help artists achieve a better environment to build their audience."

Mr De Vries stressed the importance of financial support.

"Grants and funding are crucial in breaking down financial barriers that prevent First Nations artists from thriving."

He said funding must go beyond short-term grants.

"There needs to be structural change in how First Nations artists are supported," he said.

"This means more Indigenous-led organisations (like Awesome Black) having a seat at the table when it comes to programming, decision-making, and industry strategy."

Through this partnership, funding has been directed towards stage production and cultural performances.

"We've been able to allocate budget for additional stage production to support First Nations artists on the main stage."

"We need more of these long-term commitments from funding bodies, festivals, and venues – not just short-term grants, but sustainable investment in First Nations-led programming, businesses, and infrastructure."

The NSW 24-Hour Economy Strategy is working to ensure Indigenous voices are a central part of the state's cultural landscape.

"The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner has developed a strategy that enables respectful First Nations storytelling," De Vries said.

"One of the aims of the strategy is to empower First Nations people to tell these stories, which is where we are lending our support, helping to identify and create opportunities to incorporate First Nations stories into the 24-hour economy."

Mr De Vries hopes this increased representation leads to real impact.

"More than just numbers on a lineup, we want this increased representation to lead to real impact, for both artists and audiences."

"For artists, it's about visibility, access, and sustainability."

"For audiences, it's about creating a shift in perception."

Mr De Vries said this should become the norm across the industry.

"We want to see more festivals follow Yours & Owls' lead, working with First Nations-led organisations to ensure that cultural representation is done right; with respect, collaboration, and long-term commitment."