NAVA launches second Reconciliation Action Plan to embed cultural competence in the visual arts
Media Release
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is proud to announce the launch of its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), furthering its commitment to embedding cultural competence into visual arts sector industry standards.
This plan, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, outlines NAVA’s strategy to promote reconciliation and address systemic inequities through its advocacy work, Code of Practice, professional development programs, and Membership services.
Building on the foundations of the inaugural Reflect RAP, launched in March 2023, the Innovate RAP focuses on building trust through transparency and compliance with NAVA’s Code of Practice and its good practice recommendations concerning First Nations artists, organisations and communities.
NAVA’s Executive Director, Penelope Benton, said, “I am pleased to present the NAVA’s Innovate RAP. Visual arts, craft, and design are central to the cultural survival of First Nations peoples and essential to reconciliation. Our Reflect RAP began our journey toward greater understanding and critical reflection from an anti-racist position. Now, the Innovate RAP will guide NAVA in implementing tangible changes, focusing on embedding cultural competence in the organisation’s internal and external work.”
NAVA Membership and Projects Officer and member of the RAP Working Group, Donnalyn Xu said, “The RAP Working Group is excited to launch our Innovate RAP and begin implementing these important deliverables. We are very thankful to the NAVA team and board for a collaborative approach to this important project, of which the RAP process is only the start of an ongoing journey towards reconciliation.”
The Innovate RAP focuses on four key areas: Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance. It will continue to be overseen by the RAP Working Group (RWG), currently comprising Membership and Projects Officers Donnalyn Xu and Naomi Segal. NAVA’s RAP Champion is Penelope Benton, Executive Director, who is responsible for driving and championing engagement and awareness of the RAP within NAVA.
NAVA is now inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to join its Reconciliation Working Group (RWG). These external representatives will play a crucial role in guiding NAVA’s ongoing RAP deliverables and will be remunerated for their time and contributions. For more information, please email nava@visualarts.net.au.
The cover artwork for the RAP shows a detail of Why Don’t Whitefellas Like Trees? by First Nations collective Pitcha Makin Fellas. The series of paintings was created by Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji woman Trudy Edgeley; Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta woman Alison McRae; and Gunditjmara man Ted Laxton.
The artwork highlights Djab Wurrung’s ongoing care for Country and the ongoing campaign to protect sacred trees in Victoria, and recognises collectivity as integral to Indigenous knowledges and ways of being.
The NAVA Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) August 2024 – August 2026 is available for download on the NAVA website nava.net.au
Media enquiries
Leya Reid
e: media@visualarts.net.au
Image credit
Pitcha Makin Fellas (Trudy Edgeley, Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji; Alison McRae, Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta; and Ted Laxton, Gunditjmara), ‘Why Don’t Whitefellas Like Trees?’ 2022, synthetic polymer paint on foamboard, 260 x 156 cm. Monash University Collection, Naarm/Melbourne. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
ID: The painting consists of a large tree in the middle on a pink background which is dotted with hearts, small trees, and other designs. There are 2 crows positioned on the tree branches within.
