Explore what it means to have a sustainable, ethical and successful career in the visual arts, craft and design sector with this collection of 12 artist-centred digital Student Artist Guides that are underpinned by NAVA's Code of Practice.
Image: Emma Pham, 2023.
ID: Graphic featuring a purple blue gradient background and text in black font with pink and green shadow that reads, ‘Art is a Real Job’. Around the text are four graphic images of hands in pink and green.
The Art is a Real Job: Student Artist Guides is a collection of 12 digital resources for secondary school students, exploring what it means to have a sustainable, ethical and successful career in the visual arts, craft and design sector in Australia.
Centring the practice of 12 contemporary Australian artists, the collection explores four themes including Exhibiting Your Work, Ethics & Environmental Responsibility, Working with Galleries and Money Matters. Each guide includes biographical information about the artist, learning activities and a rationale underpinned by the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design.
Screenshot of Exhibiting Your Work Panel Exchange as part of NAVA's Art is a Real Job online program, 9 March 2023. L-R: NAVA’s Alise Hardy with artists Thomas Readett, Tim Meakins, and April Phillips.
Showing and touring work connects artists with communities and audiences, enhances gallery programming and amplifies and celebrates investments in artists’ work.
In this Student Artist Guideyou will learn about artists Tim Meakins, April Phillips and Thomas Readett; different types of spaces to exhibit your work; and write an exhibition proposal before carrying out an exhibition of your own.
Art is a Real Job was a series of four online artist-led public programs delivered across March in 2023. Hosted by NAVA's Alise Hardy, Emma Pham and Penelope Benton, the series saw the below 12 artists share their experiences, knowledge and advice about best practice in the visual arts sector through hands-on workshops, studio tours and panel discussions. Art is a Real Job was made possible with the support of the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.
