The SAM Platform 

SAM is an online artwork management system built specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) art centres. The platform allows for the cataloguing of artwork, artists and products and is a Point-of-Sale system that links to artist payments.

Currently 107 organisations use the platform with over 350 staff using SAM for their everyday work in their ATSI art centre.

Desart owns and manages the platform on behalf of art centres nationally. This is a project that extends beyond Desart’s membership into Torres Strait Islands, Arnhem Land, the Kimberley and even Victoria!

Why we need to rebuild the platform

The platform was developed in 2011 and is now considered old technology. We need to future proof the system by meeting modern interface design standards and backend technology.

We have developed a list of requirements that are drawn from art centre feedback and technical / design reviews of SAM.

The Rebuild

In 2021 Desart engaged a design company to review SAM. Based on feedback from the SAM Community along with co-design workshops facilitated by the design company, a set of recommendations were developed for a future SAM Rebuild.

Based on these recommendations the Federal Government has funded a rebuild of SAM.

Design company

We have partnered with Symplicit to co-design and develop the new version of SAM. They are experts in design and have worked on many successful projects over the past 20 years.

Throughout the rebuild art centres will have the opportunity to engage in co-design and testing of the new system. We will be contacting art centres via email throughout the build process to ensure they are updated and engaged!

We look forward to bringing you the new SAM in mid-late 2024!

For any further information please contact rebuild@sam.org.au

Update: September 2023

The SAM Rebuild is in the second round of user-testing for early designs of the new platform.

A SAM Advisors group has been established. This group is made of art centre staff and consultants that guide the development of the platform from design, user-testing through to the rollout of the new SAM platform.

The Symplicit design team has visited Hermannsburg and Alice Springs artists and art centres to gather requirements and test early prototype designs. They continue to consult with the SAM community in a range of methods including interviews, surveys, co-design workshops and user-testing. The co-design process has worked closely with art centres and the wider SAM community including key organisations such as The Copyright Agency, Artslaw and the Indigenous Art Code.

The chart below shows the progress of the SAM Rebuild.