About
The Indigenous Art Code is about a fair go for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The Indigenous Art Code Ltd administers a voluntary industry Code of Conduct known as ‘the Code’.
The Code is a set of rules and guidelines that dealers (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses) commit to follow to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment of artists.
The Code (The Indigenous Art Code of Conduct) provides a standard for ethical conduct of dealers of Indigenous visual arts. It also defines clear standards for dealings between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists and art dealers to deliver:
a) Fair and ethical trade in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artwork;
b) Transparency in the process of promoting and selling authentic artwork;
c) Efficiency and fairness in how disputes are dealt with.
The Company or the IartC (The Indigenous Art Code Ltd) is the organisation that administers the Code, through:
a) Administering voluntary membership of The Code and overseeing compliance;
b) Furthering the Objects of the Company with the principle object being the promotion of Indigenous visual arts.
Vision
The fair and ethical treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists and universal respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture
Purpose
Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists get a fair go and preserving fair, transparent and ethical trade between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists and art dealers.
What the IartC does
Maintain a strong, engaged and Compliant Dealer Membership base
a) Grow the Indigenous Art Code membership, ensure Dealer Members’ ongoing compliance to the Code.
b) Provide members with quality advice and support.
c) Efficiently administer membership applications.
d) Respond to non-compliance issues or complaints about members and applicants in transparent manner.
Advocate for a fair, ethical and respectful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artwork market
a) Advocate for improved policies, practices and other reforms to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists & Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP).
b) Provide consistent, quality information and advice on the fair and ethical trade of Artworks to external stakeholders including government agencies, the media, arts and professional bodies, academic and research institutions.
c) Build and maintain partnerships and industry collaborations and participate in activities which help promote the fair and ethical treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists.
Provide clear advice and information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artist Members and potential applicants
a) Make available quality, consistent advice and information for Artists about what comprises fair and ethical trade in Artworks.
b) Triage and refer individual Artist members and potential applicants to other organisations who may be able to assist them with specific sale or trade issues that are beyond the scope of the IartC.
| Ensure IartC is a well-resourced and effective organisation a) Take steps to make IartC a viable, well governed organisation with sufficient resources and capacity to fulfil its purpose and deliver its goals and priorities.b) Continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of IartC operations. |
Governance
IartC is a limited liability public company, led by a Board of Directors, drawn from the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Arts sector and the wider community. The Board is independent of
government and administered under the Australian Corporations Act 2001.