Code of Practice Consultation on Parenting in the Arts

The National Association for the Visual Arts invites artists, arts workers and Organisational Members to join a preliminary consultation on parenting in the arts, as part of a new update to the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design.

This consultation will help shape new guidance in the Code on good practice approaches to creating inclusive and accessible practices for artist parents in the visual arts, craft and design sector. The new section will recommend actionable steps to better accommodate caring responsibilities, enable equal opportunity and support artistic careers alongside parenting. 

Organisational Members may wish to share this invitation with their teams based on their areas of expertise.

Event Details

Wednesday 20 August 2025 via Zoom (online for 1 hour) 

9:30am AWST, 11:00am ACST, 11:30am AEST

Disclaimer / A Note on Carers

Please note that this session will focus specifically on artist parents. However, we acknowledge that caring responsibilities extend beyond parenting, including disability support, elder care, partners, guardian responsibilities and community care. While there will likely be an overlap in the recommendations suggested for parents and carers, we intend to give space to the unique needs and responsibilities of both. NAVA will be conducting separate consultations focused on carers (including artist carers and artists who require carers), opening up discussion on the diverse needs and ways our sector can strive towards more carer-friendly working arrangements. 

Agenda

The session will begin with short guest presentations offering provocations drawn from lived experience, projects or ways of working. Participants will then move into breakout groups for focused discussion before returning to the main group to share reflections.

[5 mins] Acknowledgement of Country + Welcome

[5 mins] Nina Ross

[5 mins] April Phillips

[20 mins] Breakout groups

[20 mins] Group representatives share reflections

[5 mins] Wrap-Up

A volunteer from each group scribe will be asked invited to scribe and volunteer from each group to report back during the final discussion.

Discussion Guidelines

• This is a public discussion, not a debate. The purpose is to hear many points of view.
• Everyone is encouraged to participate.
• No one or two individuals should dominate a discussion. If you have already voiced your ideas, let others have an opportunity. 
• Be brief and to the point when speaking. Please introduce yourself with your name and role.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Listen respectfully. Ask questions for clarification where needed.

NAVA’s Safer Spaces policy outlines how we can collectively create respectful and inclusive environments. By registering, you agree to these protocols.

Access

Captioning and Auslan Interpretation will be available. Please contact us via email nava@visualarts.net.au or phone 9368 1900 if you have additional access requirements.

About NAVA and NAVA’s Code of Practice

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is a Membership organisation that brings together the many voices of the contemporary arts sector to improve fundamental conditions of work and practice. We do this through advocacy, education and the Code of Practice. For further information on NAVA visit www.visualarts.net.au

NAVA's Code sets out equitable, ethical and self-reflective standards for the Australian contemporary arts sector. The Code has been endorsed by the Australian Government as part of the National Cultural Policy.

Contact

Janel Yau, General Manager

janel@visualarts.net.au

NAVA acknowledges and pays respects to the rightful custodians of the many First Nations Lands upon which this online event will be streamed and received. 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.