First Nations Outreach Update

Thanks to support from the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program, 2026 has kicked off with a number of First Nations engagements and professional development dedicated to sharing the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design (the Code) and improving NAVA’s work with First Nations artists and arts workers.

In February, NAVA’s First Nations Outreach Coordinator, Georgia Mokak, participated in the Melbourne Art Fair, where they met with several commercial art galleries who represent First Nations artists, in addition to meeting with some of the Melbourne Art Fair staff and Foundation members. Aiming to gather more information about how artist and commercial gallery relationships can operate, what an artist can expect from representation, the various ways that commercial galleries can support First Nations artists, and how artists can find a gallery that suits their own practice and measurements of success. Georgia also met with a number of First Nations artists to discuss their journeys as professional artists.

Georgia also met with several First Nations artists separately from the art fair to discuss how the Code is working for them and where there may be gaps or room for improvement. If you are a First Nations artist and/or arts worker and would like to share feedback on the Code with our First Nations Outreach Coordinator, please contact Georgia at georgia@visualarts.net.au. 

In March, Georgia travelled to Gimuy (Cairns) to join BL:AK Camp, a ten-day intensive residency and professional development program developed and delivered by artists Libby Harward and Lexie Abel from Munimba-Ja Art Centre. Georgia presented a bespoke workshop, unpacking parts of the Code that are more specific to the needs of the artists on residence. Some of the topics covered include payment standards, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), public art, consulting and cultural liaising, pricing work, workshops, and working in educational settings. Georgia also shared resources, opportunities, and service organisations. The artists spent one-on-one time with Georgia to explore more specific challenges in their professional practice throughout the ten-day program. This program is supported by Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and NorthSite Contemporary Arts, where the outcome will be shared at CIAF in July.