Objective
This project will support the development of the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts sector towards increased sustainability of remote arts and crafts enterprises, greater average income per artist and improved artist and art-community livelihoods. Detailed investigations of the value chains defining the sector will support industry sustainability and growth.
Summary
In remote Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participate most effectively in the ‘hybrid economies’ that accommodate state, customary and market activities; in short, economies that provide livelihoods rather than simply jobs.
Examples of successful hybrid economies include cultural tourism, the production of bush foods, the management of natural resources, and the creation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and crafts – the focus of this project.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and crafts sector has grown dramatically since the early 1970s and has potential for ongoing expansion. Unfortunately, there are great economic imbalances in the industry and very few artists make a sustainable living from their art.
Research will provide industry data and greater understanding essential to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts sector in remote Australia fulfilling its potential to provide ongoing benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This project aims to research and address distinct areas that represent major industry challenges:
- value chain complexity
- variability of art and craft provenance, quality and supply
- governance and regulation
- intergenerational transmission of knowledge and engagement of young generations in the arts and craft sector
- intercultural transactions (linguistic, monetary, etc.).
To do this, a ‘hybrid whole-system community/livelihood value chain’ research framework will be developed to illustrate the potential of a whole-system analysis that accounts for the diversity of the arts and crafts industry across remote Australia. The three aspects of this approach involve:
- engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in value-chain analysis of art markets
- studies of arts and crafts production and sales models
- analyses of value-chains and production/sales models that contribute to sustainability and growth of the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts sector.
Outputs
All research methodologies, questions and outputs are being designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts sector stakeholders to ensure their relevance and appropriateness. A lot of this work will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and aspiring artists, including young people. To accommodate a range of intercultural and literacy issues, research communications will employ a range of old and new media, e.g. paintings, publications, audio, and digital multi-media.
Research outputs will include:
- A comprehensive overview of the size and structure and a value-chain analysis of the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and craft industry.
- A report on the success factors of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts enterprise models that enable them to flourish within changing cultural, market and policy environments, creating strong individual and community outcomes.
- A report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and craft product diversification within geographic regions and the potential for creating new allied enterprise opportunities in remote areas.
- Identification of new market opportunities, both domestic and/or international, and development (with industry) of new value chains.
- Analysis of new business and industry governance models (including those incorporating the Australian Indigenous Art Commercial Code of Conduct and the Resale Royalty program).
- Training materials for the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts sector with the objective of providing long-term employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Supporting and training for at least three postgraduate students, 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people trained as paid field researchers, and two honours, VET or vocation students.
Impacts
The project will assist the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts industry in remote Australia. Major anticipated benefits are:- greater diversity of art and craft products created for sale
- new market opportunities
- improved artists’ incomes.
Principal Research Leader
Tim Acker
email: tim.acker@nintione.com.au
phone: +61 410 038 226
Tim is Principal Research Leader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies and has worked with Aboriginal artists, art centres and community enterprises since 1999. He has helped develop a major arts commercialisation strategy for Western Australia.
Since 2008, Tim has operated as a freelance arts and community development consultant working on projects across remote Australia.
Partners
- Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
- Central Land Council
- Curtin University of Technology
- desart
- FaHCSIA
- Northern Territory Government
- Southern Cross University
- University of British Columbia
- University of South Australia
Project documents
- Project postcard
- Background Notes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies Workshop:
22 February 2011
Photo: Nancy Nyanyarna Jackson working on her painting in the Warakurna Artists studio - Photo by Rhett Hammerton
