[2] In 1976 Buku-Larrŋgay Arts was established by local artists in the old Yirrkala Mission health centre, after missionaries had left and as the Aboriginal land rights and Homeland movements gathered pace.

It also houses the message sticks[2] which, after delivery by the anthropologist Donald Thomson, were instrumental in establishing peaceful talks during the Caledon Bay crisis in 1935.

In June 2021, the festival was directed by Witiyana Marika, and featured the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Yothu Yindi, Yirrmal, and East Journey.

[10] The historic Yirrkala Church Panels were created in 1963 by Yolngu elders of the Dhuwa moiety (including Mawalan Marika, Wandjuk Marika and Mithinarri Gurruwiwi), who painted one sheet with their major ancestral narratives and clan designs, and eight elders of the Yirritja moiety, including Mungurrawuy Yunupingu, Birrikitji Gumana, and Narritjin Maymuru, who painted the other sheet with Yirritja designs.

On 27 February 1998 they were unveiled by then prime minister John Howard, and were described by Yolŋu leaders as "Title Deeds which establish the legal tenure for each of our traditional clan estates".

[6][14][15][16] Other notable artists at the centre, past and present, include Banduk Marika, Gunybi Ganambarr, Djambawa Marawili, and Yanggarriny Wunungmurra.

Inspired by Djambawa Marawili and seven years in the making, it is the first major exhibition of bark painting to tour the United States.