Where to go for support – business, legal, funding, exhibitions, tax, govt policy, ICIP, copyright and more

It is our aim to provide you with as much information as possible to help you navigate the obligations you have as a practising artist and/or artsworker. These include taxation, arts law, copyright, governance, collection management, health and safety and more and are in alphabetical order. This list is growing and links are provided below. If there is a group you think should be included please let us know.

• Arts Law Australia is based in Sydney and is Australia’s only national community legal centre for the arts. They are a not-for-profit that is committed to strengthening the value and respect for creative communities and culture to make a better world. Arts Law is Australia’s only community legal centre for the arts. Arts Law advises artists and arts organisations. They have free resources about contracts, copyright, defamation, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), offer workshops and advocate for artists across Australia. https://www.artslaw.com.au/
• Arts Queensland https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/about-us Our objective is to enhance Queenslanders’ access to arts and culture through investment in the creation, development and presentation of arts product, cultural experiences and cultural infrastructure. The AQ 10 year strategy for arts and culture 2025-2035 is available here https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/about-us/queenslands-time-to-shine-strategy-2025-2035
• Australian Museums and Galleries Association Incorporated (AMaGA) is the national association and peak advocacy body representing museums and galleries. They encompass a wide and diverse range of national, state, regional and community museums, galleries, historic sites, research centres, Indigenous cultural centres, and Keeping Places across Australia. All of their members are linked by a shared dedication to culture, the arts, movable cultural heritage and communities, and the knowledge that Australian cultural life is a dynamic ecosystem that generates creativity and innovation and contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of the country. https://www.amaga.org.au/
  
• Australian Tax Office: Form for artists receiving payments who do not have an ABN – If a supplier (that’s you) does not provide an ABN, the payer (the person paying you) may need to withhold an amount from the payment for that supply – this is referred to as ‘no ABN withholding’. Find the form here: https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions/statement-by-supplier-not-quoting-an-abn
• Cassowary Coast Regional Coucil Arts Culture Policy – The Arts and Culture Policy provides a framework for the delivery of arts and cultural services throughout the Cassowary Coast Region. The policy builds a foundation for supporting arts and cultural development for residents who live, work, study and play in the Cassowary Coast Region. It provides a strategic direction to facilitate a diverse range of services and activities for the community. https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/our-council/documents/policies-and-procedures/arts_and_culture_policy.pdf
  
• The Copyright Agency https://www.copyright.com.au/ is a not-for-profit government agency that collects licence fees for the reuse of text and images and distributes these as copyright royalty payments to creator members. Membership is free and you are encouraged to join so that you can received fees they might received on your behalf. They manage the Statutory Education copyright scheme, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Statutory Government copying schemes, the Resale Royalty scheme for visual artists, and the special provisions for institutions assisting people with print disabilities – all by all by appointment by the Government or by the Copyright Tribunal. The nearly 40,000 members are made up of authors, journalists, publishers, visual artists, and surveyors and more. In addition, we issue licences to commercial business across sectors like Banking & Finance, Energy, Property and Media Monitoring Organisations and manage end-to-end Visual Arts Licences and return these licence fees to our creator members too. The Copyright Agency also have agreements with International Affiliates to license the use of foreign content in Australia, and collect licence fees for Australian content used overseas.
  
• Creative Australia National Cultural Policy Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.  Revive provides renewed momentum for arts and creativity in Australia. As we deliver increased investment and forge stronger connections to benefit Australian creative workers, organisations and audiences, our strategy will support our work as a bigger, bolder champion and investor in Australian arts and creativity.Our strategy is built around five strategic priorities for a dynamic, creative Australia: 
  • First Nations creativity is central to Australian arts and culture, supported by self-determined decision-making
  • A dynamic creative sector tells the many stories of contemporary Australia
  • Our creative workforces have sustainable careers and control of their creative assets
  • Arts and culture are valued and of value to all Australians
  • Local and global audiences can engage in meaningful Australian creative experience
• Indigenous Art Code: Indigenous Art Code Ltd (IartC) is the national organisation responsible for administering a voluntary industry code of conduct for art dealers and other entities who trade in or deal with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and their art. IartC supports artists who contact us directly with issues or concerns about commercial dealings they have entered into or are considering entering into. We facilitate transparent communication between artists and member businesses, providing advice and, when required, referrals to other support organisations. Through our Code Signatory membership process, IartC promotes best practice standards and behaviour change, strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector and helping to create a fairer market for artists to engage with. IartC plays an advocacy role for our members, addressing the issues and challenges that impact them and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector. Key campaigns IartC has helped develop and champion include the Fake Art Harms Culture Campaign and Our Art is Our Lifeline, which responded to market fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
• Museums and Galleries Queensland – their purpose is to inspire and support excellence in Queensland museums, galleries and keeping places, fostering innovation, connection and cultural leadership. For more information go to: https://magsq.com.au/

• National Association of Visual Arts NAVA is a Membership organisation which 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. NAVA strengthens artists’ capacity to develop and sustain their practice. Our extensive professional practice guides and online learning material are a key benefit of membership.

• RASN – Regional Arts Services Network: The Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) supports Queensland’s regional creative economy, as a high-impact bridge between regional artists, arts workers and state-wide opportunities. RASN acts as a strategic engine that drives community-led growth, brokering vital partnerships and securing the resources needed to turn grassroots vision into professional reality. By connecting artists with mentorship, cross-regional collaborations and funding opportunities it ensures that geographic distance never dictates the limits of creative ambition. What RASN Does for You?
  • Capacity Building – Bolstering the skills and capabilities of artists and arts workers through workshops, mentorship, and professional development programs.
  • Strategic Brokering – Connecting artists with funding bodies, stakeholders, industry partners, and opportunities statewide.
  • Coaching and Mentoring – Offering expert advice on grant writing, project development, and navigating the arts business landscape.
  • Resources and Learning – Sharing practical tools and information that assist artists to find knowledge and investment that supports sustainable creative livelihoods.