NAVA National Association for the Visual Arts
The peak body protecting and promoting the Australian visual arts sector

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) acknowledges the Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation and all Custodians of Country throughout all lands, waters and territories. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.

To access NAVA's Annual Reports, follow the link below.

NAVA is a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Goal 1 - VOICE

Effectively advocate for the interests of the sector and provide research and informed policy advice to key decision makers. Lead critical debate and discussion to build an active, strong and resilient sector.

Goal 2 - RESPECT

Set and monitor best practice standards for the industry. Raise the profile and acknowledgement of the value of art and artists in Australia, and the infrastructure that supports them.

Goal 3 - AGENCY

Through providing high quality resources and a benchmark professional development program, build the skills, knowledge sharing and entrepreneurial capacity of practitioners and the sustainability of their careers.

Goal 4 - SUSTAINABILITY

Secure sufficient resources and ensure good management for NAVA to optimise its capacity and achieve sustainability.

NB: Where the term ‘visual arts’ has been used, this is taken to mean all forms of visual expression.

NAVA undertakes advocacy on behalf of the sector and sets and monitors adherence to best practice standards. Since 1983, NAVA has been a potent advocate for the Australian visual arts sector. Most recently, from 2014-15, we conducted a major campaign against the Federal Government’s cuts to the arts budget and lack of an arts policy and and sent key ideas to all political parties. In collaboration with two other lead bodies, NAVA secured a Senate Inquiry into the impact of these cuts, advocated for arts policy to be on the 2016 election agenda and partnered in a National Day of Action for the Arts and the Arts Election Debate.

Our previous successes include the introduction the Artists’ Resale Royalty legislated in 2010 after over 20 years of campaigning by NAVA in alliance with some other peak arts and copyright bodies.

In 2005, after 8 years of negotiation NAVA secured the ATO Taxation Ruling: Income tax: carrying on business as a professional artist (TR 2005/1) which uses art industry standards rather than just profits to assess artists’ income tax entitlements.

In 2000, Moral Rights legislation was introduced as a result of NAVA’s successful lobbying in collaboration with other arts industry bodies.

We were also one of the leaders of a successful campaign to change Sedition clauses in the Anti-Terrorism Act 2005, to protect artists’ freedom of expression. In 2011 it was replaced by ‘Urging Violence’ in the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010.

NAVA also provides direct service to its members and the sector generally by offering industry advice, referrals, resources, professional representation and development, grant programs, education training courses and events, and a range of other opportunity brokerage and career development services.

In 2017, NAVA will deliver representation and advocacy, best practice standards and professional services for artists and the Australian visual arts sector. It will seek to ensure its own sustainability by raising funds to compensate for the loss of its Australia Council operational funding.

Staff, Board, Partners and Donors

Follow the links below for details.

Street Address Level 1 The Gunnery 43-51 Cowper Wharf Road Woolloomooloo NSW 2011

Postal Address PO Box 60 Potts Point 1335 NSW Australia

Phone +612 9368 1900

Email nava@visualarts.net.au