What is the Digital Labelling Project?

Is a national project produced by Desart and funded by the Australian Government to implement QR codes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art centre products sold in the retail market through the SAM Platform. Designed to elevate and improve market prominence of Art centre products, by better informing the consumer about what they are buying. Digital labels provide opportunities for Art centre’s to capture and share rich content about their artists and artworks to the consumer.

How does it work?

Upon scanning a QR code – detailed information, imagery and videos are shared directly to buyers. The buyer can learn about their purchase, the Artist and Art centre it comes from. Sharing this important information promotes conscious consumerism and helps to combat the issue of fake art in the Indigenous souvenir and product market, which is a big issue, that not only harms culture, but significantly reduces income streams to Indigenous artists.

What support will the project deliver?

A key objective of the project is building capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art workers in their roles at Art centres, empowering them through training and support in areas of interest to help them succeed and develop their skills.

Through tailored, practical on-the-ground support for staff and art workers, the project will provide much needed business support and training that focuses on improving the quality, presentation, marketing, profits, sales and processes of existing art centre product lines.

Following a national callout, Expressions of Interest have now closed, and selections have been finalised. 13 Art centres have been selected to participate in the rollout over the next 2 years from across Australia. Project completion due June 2025.

Participating Art centres

Marrawuddi Arts & Culture, Jabiru NT; Bula’Bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation, Ramingining NT; Hermannsburg Potters, Hermannsburg, NT; Djilpin Arts, Beswick, NT; Ikuntji Artists, Ikuntji, NT; Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy Crossing, WA; Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture, Derby, WA; Nagula Jarndu, Broome, WA; Juluwarlu Art Group, Roebourne, WA; Yalanji Arts, Mossman QLD; Erub Arts, Darnley Island, Torres Strait; Kaiela Arts, Shepparton, VIC; Ernabella Arts, Pukatja Community, APY Lands, SA.

For further information please contact Jane Chambers, Desart – Digital Labelling Coordinator digitallabelling@desart.com.au

_{The Digital Labelling Project is produced by Desart Inc. and funded through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program.}