The University of Melbourne and ILBIJERRI Theatre Company have formalised a new partnership to support First Nations artistic excellence and career pathways in the performing arts.

The partnership, announced Thursday, builds on a long collaboration between the university and ILBIJERRI, Australia's longest-running First Peoples theatre company.

ILBIJERRI was formed in 1991 and creates, presents and tours theatre by First Peoples artists.

The new agreement will give ILBIJERRI access to the university's performing arts expertise, along with professional rehearsal and workshop spaces.

The partnership will be celebrated during NAIDOC Week with a special event featuring Isobel Morphy-Walsh's theatre piece Gunawarra Re-Creation.

The work, directed by Yorta Yorta and Gunaikurnai woman and ILBIJERRI Artistic Director and CEO Andrea James, is being presented by ILBIJERRI at Melbourne Theatre Company.

The event will also include a panel discussion on professional pathways for First Nations performing arts practitioners.

Ms James said the partnership would strengthen creative and academic relationships.

"ILBIJERRI works on a reciprocal culture, based on familiar relationships," Ms James said.

"We proudly share our knowledge, expertise and resources with the University of Melbourne, strengthening a partnership that formalises longstanding creative and academic relationships."

"Together, we foster excellence in the performing arts sector that nurtures Blak storytelling."

Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist and University of Melbourne Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development Tiriki Onus said ILBIJERRI held an important place for First Peoples in Narrm and across the country.

"Not only is ILBIJERRI our longest-running Indigenous theatre company, ILBIJERRI represents another link in an unbroken chain of performers and practitioners who have used theatre to amplify voice and contribute to the ongoing thrivance of First Peoples' voices on these lands," Mr Onus said.

"It is an honour to formalise our partnership and contribute to the vital work of reminding us who we are and asking us to dream about who we might become together."

The partnership has also been linked to the development of First Nations theatre practitioners, including Wiradjuri and Worimi theatre-maker Amy Sole.

Amy grew up on Biripi and Worimi land in a small coastal town and left school at 13 before later entering university through a bridging program.

They initially planned to study medicine, before moving into theatre and later moved to Melbourne to study theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts, while being supported by ILBIJERRI.

They said both institutions helped shape their practice.

"It's been a big journey, because I never knew what theatre was," they said.

"I didn't know theatre existed.

"I don't think I could have done it without either of those institutions walking alongside me, holding me and supporting me in different ways."

Amy is now Head of Artist Development at ILBIJERRI and a Hutchinson Fellow at the VCA.

They said the university would benefit from deeper engagement with the oldest First Nations theatre company in Australia.

"I would say that storytelling is in your bones, it's in your spirit," they said.

"We've been telling stories since time immemorial, we're the oldest continuing storytellers.

"You're part of a lineage and we're all here with you."