Cox Inall Ridgeway: First Nations Arts Enterprise Sector Development

About the learning community

The First Nations Arts Enterprise Sector Development learning community brought together a small group of Indigenous-led arts organisations and practitioners who are building or operating within a social enterprise model.

This community created space for participants to share their experiences, challenges, and successes and to learn practical tools for growing culturally grounded enterprises that generate social, cultural, and economic impact.

The learning community explored:

How Indigenous arts and creative organisations can strengthen business models that balance culture, creativity, and commerce.
Approaches for measuring and communicating social and cultural impact from a First Nations perspective.
Ways to build readiness, visibility, and equitable partnerships within the broader social enterprise ecosystem.

By centring First Nations voices and values, this learning community provided insights and guidance for funders, peak bodies, and sector partners on how to better support Indigenous-led arts enterprises to thrive.

About the convenor

Cox Inall Ridgeway (CIR) is a leading First Nations social change agency specialising in community engagement, policy, social research, evaluation, and strategy.

The team brings extensive experience in working alongside First Nations organisations and creative enterprises to strengthen cultural integrity, community outcomes, and business sustainability including work across arts, fashion, cultural tourism, and economic development. They are passionate about creating spaces for peer learning and co-design that centre Indigenous voices and support long-term impact.

How did this learning community work?

Three facilitated online sessions (February 2026 - April 2026):

Session 1 – Foundations of First Nations Social Enterprise.
Session 2 – Measuring and Communicating Impact.
Session 3 – Partnerships and Pathways for Growth.