About Desart

Desart is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal
Art and Craft Centres.

Desart’s commitment

  • Respect for traditional culture and Aboriginal peoples' 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
  • Maximum 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. Desart is working to encourage the implementation of the new Indigenous Visual Arts Commercial Code of Conduct across the industry.

Speaking up strong for Art Centres
To represent the voice of Aboriginal Art Centres and their artists 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.

Programs and services

Desart’s current programs include:
  • Aboriginal Artworkers' program
  • Governance & HR Support
  • IT technical support
  • Professional development workshops
  • Art Centre recruitment
  • Induction Road Trips for new managers (North West and APY / Ngaanyatjarra Lands)
  • NT Art Centre Infrastructure Program
  • Member Service Register
  • Wills workshops (in partnership with Arts Law)
  • Photography and Digital Imaging Training
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.)
  • Support for Art Centres to participate in art markets in Alice Springs (including Desert Mob MarketPlace)
  • Production of quarterly newsletter for artists
     

Desart Executive Committee

The governing Executive Committee of Desart comprises the following 10 Indigenous members: two each from five designated regions across Central Australia.

Barkly Region

Maureen O’Keefe, Arlpwe Art Centre – Ali Curung

Tina Ricky, Nyinkka Nyunyu– Tennant Creek

Central Desert United

Hayley Coulthard, Hermannsburg Potters - Hermannsburg

Jane Young, Tangentyere Artists – Alice Springs

North West

Kathleen Whiskey, Ikuntji Artists – Haasts Bluff

Isobel Gorey, Papunya Tjupi - Papunya

PY South

Janet Inyika, Walkatjara Art - Uluru

Ronnie Douglas, Tjala Arts – Amata

Ngaanyatjarra

Marita Ward – Warakurna Artists - Warakurna

Dorcas Bennett – Warakurna Artists - Warakurna

               
Desart Executive members (clockwise): Chairwoman Jane Young, Vice-Chair Tina Ricky, Ronnie Douglas, Maureen O’Keefe, Hayley Coultard, Isobel Gorey, Kathleen Whiskey and Dorcas Bennett (with photos of Janet Inyika and Marita Ward to come).  © Steve Pearce 2010