Visual arts

Visual arts in Australia are supported through the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, resale royalty, the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support program and the Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct.

Personal Property Securities Register – what it means for artists

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), created under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth), commenced on 30 January 2012. If you are an artist who provides art on consignment to galleries or dealers you will be affected by this new law.

Information is also available about what the new law will mean for you if you are an Indigenous artist or work at an Indigenous art centre.

For more information, see the PPSR factsheets under Artists.

Resale Royalty Scheme for Visual Artists

The resale royalty scheme for visual artists commenced on 9 June 2010 and ensures that, following eligible commercial resales, Australian visual artists receive a direct financial benefit as their work increases in market value. Under the scheme, artists are eligible to receive five per cent of the sale price when their original works are resold through the art market for $1000 or more. For more information visit Royalty schemes.

The Australian Government has appointed the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) to administer the scheme.

Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy

The Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) is a Cultural Ministers Council initiative, delivered by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments, to support a strong and dynamic contemporary visual arts and craft sector.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS)

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) provides approximately $10.5 million each year to Indigenous art centres and allied industry organisations, with the objective of building a stronger Indigenous visual arts industry.

To achieve this objective, IVAIS funding:

  • supports the operations of Indigenous art centres, and organisations involved in the production, promotion and marketing of Indigenous visual art
  • provides opportunities for Indigenous artists to maintain, develop and extend their professional art practice
  • provides opportunities for art centre staff, artists and Board members to develop professional skills and experience
  • facilitates the delivery of services to the Indigenous visual arts industry by allied industry support organisations.

IVAIS is a national competitive program, and is part of a coordinated approach to develop the Indigenous visual arts sector as outlined in the Indigenous Art Centres Plan.

Indigenous Art Code

The Indigenous Art Code (the Code) is an industry-led voluntary code of conduct that guides ethical commerce in the sector and provides greater certainty for consumers that the artworks they buy come through ethical processes. The Code is administered by Indigenous Art Code Limited (IartC Ltd), a public company established to manage the Code for the Indigenous visual arts industry. The development of a commercial code of conduct was a key recommendation of the 2007 Senate Inquiry into Australia's Indigenous visual arts and craft sector.