Indigenous Art Code Ltd is the national organisation responsible for administering a voluntary industry code of conduct for art dealers and other entities who trade in or deal with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and their art. Indigenous Art Code Ltd is a limited liability public company led by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts industry and the wider community. The Board is independent from government and administered under the Australian Corporations Act 2001.
The review
In Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, Australia's National Cultural Policy, the Australian Government committed to reviewing the Indigenous Art Code. The review would identify opportunities to strengthen protections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and consumers, improve confidence in the market and ensure the Code remains fit for purpose in a changing sector.
The review examined both Indigenous Art Code Ltd and the operation of the Indigenous Art Code. First Nations consultancy Cox Inall Ridgeway led the review. It considered how effectively the Code supports ethical conduct across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector. The review drew on the experiences and perspectives of artists, consumers, galleries, dealers and other stakeholders.
Through interviews, an online survey and written submissions, the review heard from 169 participants from a broad range of artists, organisations, communities, businesses and other stakeholders from across the sector.
Their input provided an important foundation for the review and its recommendations. It helped identify future opportunities to support a strong, ethical and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector. The outcomes of the review will inform the government's ongoing work and considerations in the development of the next National Cultural Policy.
Supporting a strong and ethical sector
The Indigenous Art Code plays an important role in the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector. It promotes fair, transparent and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and their art. No single initiative can address all opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The Code is a critical part of collective efforts to support ethical practice, strengthen confidence in the market and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. These efforts involve artists, communities, industry and governments.
The Australian Government recognises that a strong, ethical and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector requires collective effort from communities, industry and governments. Continued collaboration will help support a fair and transparent market and strengthen confidence in the sector. It will also create better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Indigenous Art Code information
To find out more about the Indigenous Art Code, including information about membership and the standards it promotes, visit the Indigenous Art Code website.
