About

This year's Federal Budget disappointed the nation in failing to offer a vision for championing and strengthening Australia’s contemporary arts.   

That means it’s up to us.

Future/Forward will ignite the nation’s capital with timely collaboration on how best to advance rights, sustain incomes and develop practice in Australia today.

NAVA’s been giving a lot of thought to exactly this question. At Future/Forward, we’re going to launch the commitments we’re making to the sector through our new Strategic Plan. And top of our list is the Code of Practice for the Professional Australian Visual Arts, Craft and Design Sector.

What needs to go into the updated Code? How do we make that Code enforceable? How will we create policy change, redress inequity and take action together?

Our first day at the National Gallery of Australia will focus on negotiating the institutional aspects of professional practice. Our second day at Parliament House will focus on the politics of policy change. Each day will offer a blend of talks, hypotheticals, scenarios, games and case studies that get us thinking actively.

We welcome artists to attend, participate and lead new conversations. Abdul Abdullah, Fiona Foley, Patricia Piccinini, Sally Smart, Oliver Watts, Peter White and pvi collective are confirmed. 

We welcome organisational, government and philanthropic leaders to join us and participate actively.

Whether you’re joining us in Canberra or online, we’re planning two days of focused artistic thinking for creative action.

Who’s in?

NAVA acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land where this event is taking place, the Ngunnawal people as well as the Ngambri, Ngarigu and others who traded on, travelled through and connected with this land, and continue to do so. We recognise all Custodians of Country throughout all lands, waters and territories. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.