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
Aboriginal artists are committed to sharing their culture with the world. Desart’s mission is to support Central Australian Aboriginal artists and Art Centres working together in a vigorous, ethical Aboriginal arts industry.
Desart’s goals are:
- 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 is about everybody. They want everyone to know what is happening and welcome many cultures, languages and stories. Everyone can have their say and everyone is treated with respect. 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.
