Arthur Papadimitriou

Arthur Papadimitriou received the highest French award, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Chevalier De Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, on the 20th April 2006 by Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, Minister of Culture and Communication, for his contribution to French and Australian culture.

In 1994 Papadimitriou took his first professional job as a primary school teacher at Papunya, in remote NT. Papadimitriou's interest in indigenous art was stirred as he befriended some of the artists in the town, and as he learned more about the symbols, stories and meanings of the paintings, he began collecting artworks. His collection of Aboriginal art from the Central and Western desert regions is large, and his desire to share it has culminated in a number of donations and exhibitions.

Papadimitriou has donated numerous works to Benalla Art Gallery and the Musée du Quai Branly, France’s new museum and study centre devoted to indigenous cultures of the world, scheduled to open its doors for the first time later this year. On the 22nd June 2006, The Musee du Quai was officially open by Jacques Chirac and attending by figures such as Kofi Annan. Papadimitriou was an invited guest at the opening ceremonies.

The Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts has an annual award titled “The Papadimitriou Inspirational Award” for students at the college.