Tarli Dean-Atkinson - Kaiela Arts Skip to main content

Tarli Dean-Atkinson

Tarli Dean-Atkinson
Creative Exchange Coordinator. Yorta Yorta & Moiraban

Tarli is a proud Yorta Yorta and Moiraban woman with Wiradjuri connections through her paternal grandmother. Born and raised in Shepparton, she is a proud mother of two and deeply passionate about family, culture, art, and community.

Her love for learning and cultural knowledge was sparked at a young age through watching her Mum and listening closely to local Elders. Tarli began her journey with Kaiela Arts in 2021 as an artist for the annual Turtle Muster. Since then, she has taken on a range of roles across the art centre—working front of house, supporting artist programs in the studio, facilitating community workshops, presenting gallery talks, and curating engaging window displays. In 2022, she also completed a Creative Indigenous Residency at Shepparton Art Museum.

Now in her current position, Tarli plays a key role in facilitating cultural events and opportunities that connect Kaiela Arts’ artist members with the broader arts sector and support getting out on Country. She is also supporting Kaiela’s growing curatorial team, led by Chloe Jones, and is slowly stepping into curatorial practice herself driven by a strong commitment to community connection, cultural storytelling, and First Nations leadership in the arts.