Art Organisations And Their Benefits

Working for us and delivering invaluable services for emerging and professional artists!

Art organisations play a vital role for artists in general and on a personal level.

Have you ever mulled over what role a good arts organisation plays for you personally as an artist? And are they still pertinent to today’s society? With so much happening online, are arts organisations really relevant? Can’t artists simply go online and learn the skills they need to run a business, or represent themselves when laws are changing?

The truth of the matter is: The highly “impersonal” nature of our online existence today makes art organisations even more important. As Online art lessons are no substitute for painting classes and so is the personal contact conducted by art organisations.

Even with so much happening online, arts organisations are still pertinent and relevant to the arts industry. The nature of artists is that they often work somewhat isolated, hence have virtually no influence or impact when changing laws affect them. Some organisations work hard for us and our rights, and we are fortunate to have such easy access to them. 

Many of you are not aware of the number of services some organisations provide, nor that they work hard to protect our legal rights and to hone business skills for a higher chance of success. A lot of funding and volunteer work goes into these organisations and are likely to fall under non-profit. Partnering with art organisations, individuals and groups can form a competitive advantage. Therefore, I picked each association for a specific business-related task or their overall importance to an artist’s life, be it personally or for the arts industry. ​

Creative Business   001

Creative + Business covers some neat topics. From workshops, resources and videos to advice helping the self-employed artist to succeed. Their online workshop themes are art business practice, business essentials, marketing basics, time management, goal setting, and so on.
They also offer a free business plan template for creative people.

Arts Law Centred of Australia   002

The Arts Law Centre of Australia educates, informs, advocates and practices legal advice to arts organisations and individual artists. They speak up for us, deliver advice and resources and resolve disputes. And not to miss their most updated contract templates. They are not free, but  worth their money. You only ever need to buy one contract for each issue. They cover: Commission Agreement, Sale of Artwork, Model Release and Reproduction Licences and much more.

Australian Copyright Council   003

The Copyright Council is the first address for information in regards to copyright.

Representing the Australian peak art bodies and individual creators of art they offer a range of seminars, publications and eLearning on all copyright essentials.

NAVA   004

NAVA, the National Association for the Visual Arts is working for Australian artists not only on a personal level but infiltrates government decisions. Artists have no union, so those art organisations are our advocates, our only combined voice. NAVA offer an opportunity section, Vodcasts, campaigns, guides including marketing skills, online courses and grants. And their Code of Practice is the best I have seen for the arts industry in Australia. Top on my list.

Artbank   005

ARTBANK is a one of a kind Australian Government program. For over 30 years Artbank has been collecting and promoting emerging and established Australian contemporary artist by creating and making work of artists available for lease with 100% of the revenue going right back into supporting artists.

Creative Business   006

Creative Business offers a range of downloadable business forms of which many are free.

Most forms cost $5 if you want to own it as a modifiable pdf. The pricing seems fair.

Artists Network   007

A comprehensive information site for artists. The Artists Network provides various help in the form of publications, articles, forums, blogs, contests, sweeps, videos and resources.

You also find free drawing and painting lesson downloads.

Arts Hub   008

The Arts Hub is an all-inclusive helper for Australian artists. This is one of the few groups who offer a job board and a comprehensive listing of grants, both with search facility for location, art sector and industry type.

This organisation is one of the top of on my list. 

All Business   009

All Business is a treasure trove with a listing of over 200 business forms and agreements, a load of useful articles and a dictionary of over 20,000 business terms. This place is buzzing with interesting stuff.

The Loop   010

The Loop claims to be Australia's largest professional creative community. For a one off fee, you can post a job, a gig, find a freelancer, post a course and lots more.

It can be a marvellous marketing tool for your talent, but it takes a bit of work to complete all information until you are allowed to post your details.

Art Business   011

This provider of arts business services has one of the largest collection of articles for artists.

Well written and relevant to present, promote and market your art.