Tandanya is a Kaurna word for Red Kangaroo place. The land on which the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute sits on Kaurna land and the site for the Red Kangaroo Ceremony connected to Red Kangaroo Dreaming. Tandanya respects and recognises the land and culture of the Kaurna people. Its logo design honours the Red Kangaroo.

The National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, known as Tandanya, was established in 1989 under the South Australian Associations Incorporations Act, with the vision of being recognised as the leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander multi-arts and cultural venue promoting an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through artistic expression, participation, interaction in a reconciliatory way.

Today, Tandanya continues to be a leading cultural centre delivering an insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, culture, history and heritage. Since time immemorial, arts has been, and still is, integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and Tandanya commits to continue that tradition.

Tandanya facilitates participation and fosters interaction with, and an understanding of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, arts and cultures and is the primary place in Adelaide where local, national and international visitors can experience the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Tandanya is governed by a 10 member, Aboriginal Board. It operates as a not-for-profit organisation that is guided by a Business Plan and Strategic Plan that are based on, and respect the aspirations, of Tandanya’s founding members. Tandanya was established in 1989.

Tandanya is proudly supported by the State Government of South Australia through Arts SA, and through the Australian Government through the Australia Council.