Our Yarning is a growing collection of children’s books written by community, for community.
We work with artists to shape how these stories are seen, felt and remembered, through illustrations centered in culture, place and lived experience, for generations to come.
If you’re an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist, we invite you to be part of this work.
Through community-led Writers’ Workshops, stories are shared and created, which are then developed into manuscripts. These are published into books that are used in classrooms, homes, and communities across Australia.
Stories reflect the diversity of cultures, experiences, and sometimes languages, to support children to see themselves in what they read.
Books become available in the Our Yarning free Reader app, or for purchase in our online store, and are distributed nationally.
Learn more about the Our Yarning program and collection: Australia – Our Yarning
Artists bring these stories to life, shaping characters, environments, and cultural details in ways that feel familiar, connected, and true to community. Each artist’s individual style and practice is preserved in this process.
Digital skills and the ability to develop characters are essential.
Learn more about artists working with Our Yarning: Our Yarning: First Nations stories that teach, share and belong
We work with artists on individual book projects across the collection.
This includes:
A paid, part time program supporting emerging or early career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illustrators.
Artists are supported to:
Artists typically illustrate multiple titles across the program, with mentorship and support throughout.
Read through the Frequently Asked Questions for this program here [LINK]
Become part of a growing First Nations-led collection: Artists of Our Yarning – Fill out form
Contact to the team: ouryarning@libraryforall.org
Download the Frequently Asked Questions for the Artist in Residence (AIR) program: FAQs