This National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan (2021 – 2025) sets the Australian Government’s priorities to support the visual arts sector over the next five years. It will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, organisations and businesses in their ability to direct and decide on their cultural and economic interests, and the evolution of their industry.

The developing in the action plan, artists, art centres, Indigenous visual arts service organisations, commercial galleries, auction houses and state and territory governments were widely consulted. This consultation drew out four distinctive themes that have guided the focus of the action plan:

• Encouraging sustainable growth
• Prioritising the skills, knowledge and infrastructure needed for capacity building
• Recognising the potential for the industry to access new markets and encouraging this, and
• Considering how to strengthen the framework of legal protections for Indigenous cultural expressions.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, organisations and businesses there is an ongoing need to strengthen the sector, protect culture, diversify business models and increase opportunities to generate income. Through the consultation process, it was heard that for successful and sustainable outcomes to be achieved for the sector there needs to be increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and voice at all levels in the industry.

This action plan is designed to support these objectives and recognises the challenges faced by the wider Indigenous visual art industry as it responds to the longterm effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download the full plan below.

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