ANW & NAVA CODE OF PRACTICE PRINCIPLES Series
Arts North West and the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) successfully partnered to deliver a series of three online workshops, exploring NAVA’s Code of Practice principles for working with First Nations artists, Understanding copyright as well as NAVA’s Code of Practice. These workshops provided critical insights into ethical engagement, copyright and intellectual property (IP), and fair payment standards for artists.
Workshop 1: Ethical Practices for Engaging First Nations Artists and Communities
The first workshop, presented by Dr Lorina L. Barker and Dr Eliza Kent, delved into the ethical practices for collaborating with First Nations artists and communities. Dr Barker, an artist and oral historian, and Dr Kent, a researcher, shared how they applied NAVA’s Code of Practice to support the rights, voices, and leadership of First Nations communities in their work. Participants gained insights into empowering communities to direct and co-design projects while ensuring they benefit meaningfully throughout the process.
Presenter Spotlight:
Dr Lorina L. Barker: A descendant of Wangkumara, Muruwari, and other First Nations peoples, Lorina is an oral historian, filmmaker, and artist. She uses multimedia to create community-based art projects that preserve knowledge, history, and culture through storytelling, visual art, and poetry.
Workshop 2: Understanding Good Practice Around Copyright and IP
The second workshop, led by Sandra McMahon, focused on copyright and intellectual property. Sandra shared her extensive experience in navigating copyright agreements, licensing, and protecting creative assets. Using the NAVA Code of Practice, she guided participants through the responsibilities and rights associated with IP, emphasising its importance for sustaining professional creative practices.
Presenter Spotlight:
Sandra McMahon: With over 35 years of experience in the visual arts, Sandra has worked in regional and commercial galleries across NSW and the ACT. She holds qualifications in visual arts, art history, curating, and management, and is a registered art valuer under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.
Workshop 3: Fair Payment Standards and Superannuation
The third workshop highlighted NAVA’s Code of Practice with a focus on payment standards, ensuring equal pay for artists and advocating for superannuation contributions. This session emphasised the importance of fair and transparent remuneration in the arts sector to promote equity and sustainability for artists and arts workers. The workshop provided actionable guidance on implementing these standards in creative projects and organisations, aligning with best practices outlined in the Code.
About NAVA’s Code of Practice:
NAVA’s Code sets equitable, ethical, and self-reflective standards for the Australian contemporary arts sector. It is endorsed by the Australian Government as part of the National Cultural Policy and provides a framework for fair treatment and recognition of artists and arts workers.
Project Impact:
Supported by Create NSW, this series equipped artists and arts workers with the tools to engage ethically, protect intellectual property, and advocate for fair payment. By addressing these critical areas, the workshops empowered participants to strengthen professional practices while fostering inclusivity and sustainability in the arts.