Desart is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal
Art and Craft Centres.
Desart’s commitment
- Respect for traditional culture and Aboriginal aspirations
- Employment for Aboriginal people
- Support for sound governance, professional standards and ethical industry practices
- Marketing and advocacy for Aboriginal owned Art Centres
Desart represents Art Centres which support these objectives:
- Authenticity of artworks
- 100% returns to Aboriginal people and their organisations
- Promotion of professional art practice and ethical dealings with artists
Desart’s mission
Aboriginal artists are committed to sharing their culture with the world. Our mission is to support Central Australian Aboriginal artists and Art Centres working together in a vigorous, ethical Aboriginal arts industry.
Desart’s goals
Help and support for Art Centres
To empower Art Centres through the provision of resources and support to artists and staff
More jobs for Aboriginal people
To increase the employment of Aboriginal artists and arts workers in the industry
Selling more Art
To develop new markets and showcase Central Australian Aboriginal art
Showing people how to be fair when they buy art and when they sell art
To contribute to an informed Aboriginal Art Industry based on ethical practices
Speaking up strong for Art Centres
To represent the voice of Aboriginal Art Centres and advocate effectively
Desart’s values
Desart is about everybody. We want everyone to know what is happening. We welcome many cultures, languages and stories. Everyone can have their say and everyone is treated with respect.
Desart’s members
Members of Desart are independent, Aboriginal-owned, separately incorporated Art Centres or other Art Centres, which are activities of larger Aboriginal-owned organisations. Some member Art Centres, previously activities of community councils, are now operating under the management of NT Shires.
About the organisation
Desart was incorporated in 1993 as a non-profit Aboriginal Association under the Northern Territory Associations Incorporation Act. The governing Executive Committee of Desart comprises ten Indigenous members: two each from five designated regions.
Desart provides services to its members to resource, promote, educate and protect the work of Indigenous artists and Art Centres. Desart’s office is in Alice Springs, and its staff travel regularly to the different Art Centres.
Programs and services
Desart’s current programs include:
- Aboriginal Artworkers program
- Governance workshops in the PY and Ng Lands (ending June 09)
- IT technical support (ending June 09)
- Professional development workshops
- Art Centre recruitment (ending June 09)
- Docker River feasibility study (ending June 09)
- NT Art Centre infrastructure program (beginning June 09)
- Art Centre marketing campaign
In addition Desart provides a range of other services:
- Artists’ camps and regional meetings
- On & off site support for individual Art Centres
- Support with new Art Centre start ups
- Market development (Desert Mob & international market development initiatives)
- Advocacy (e.g. The code of conduct, policy development, additional funding sources etc.)