Richie Allan, a Ngunnawal artist, gave a Welcome to Country after the smoking ceremony, encouraging the gathered organisations to see the process of developing the precinct as one following on from cultural practices on Ngunnawal country that have been passed on since the Dreaming.

"We're often so busy in this world that we don't stop and look at the beautiful art that's outside. I always say it's the best gallery in the world. Understand that gallery is defined by the traditional owners, and to look at it from their lens," Mr Allan said.

A new strategy for the precinct, developed by the future resident organisations, said the groups will engage in a cultural process of learning, working to identify an Indigenous name for the future site, which will also be home to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts space.

Recently appointed Craft ACT chief executive Jodie Cunningham said the future precinct would come to be home to a "dynamic program of creative activity".

"In the recent challenging years, it's more important than ever to recognise the intrinsic value of the arts and the work of our organisations to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community, and the importance of creativity to the life and vitality of this beautiful city that we call home, Canberra," Ms Cunningham said.

"The arts have the capacity to engage us in our stories, deepen our understanding of each other and connect us to each other in our humanity, revitalising our human spirit, and strengthen our sense of belonging, identity and community cohesion."

PhotoAccess director Kirsten Wehner said the potential for cross-pollination between artists with different practices at the future precinct was a wonderful opportunity.

READ MORE NEWS:

"I think the opportunity now to also just really make sure that First Nations are at the core of the project, because that's something we worked a lot on but we hadn't quite got there I think. Just a little bit of extra space, a little bit of extra time to work on this is a really wonderful step to allow that to really happen," Dr Wehner told The Canberra Times.

Craft ACT, the Canberra Contemporary Art Space, M16 art space, PhotoAccess are slated to join the Canberra Glassworks and Megalo at the site, alongside a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art space.

The ACT government in November announced it had terminated a contract with developer Geocon to deliver the long-awaited project.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr later told the Legislative Assembly that Geocon lost the contract over missed milestones and other issues, including heritage concerns.

The Suburban Land Agency will review the project's timeline and consult again with the community, but the government hopes it will be completed in 2025, 10 years after the project was put out to tender.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: