Arts Law lobbies for mandatory Art Code

Arts Law is a passionate supporter of the Indigenous Australian Art Code of Commercial Conduct (Art Code) which was introduced in 2010. Today, Arts Law showed its continued support of the Art Code by lobbying the Federal Government to make the Art Code mandatory.

The Art Code is a code of conduct for art dealers and galleries aimed at eliminating unethical and exploitative dealings with Indigenous artists.  The Art Code remains voluntary and consequently, Indigenous artists remain vulnerable to exploitation.

Since its introduction two years ago, the Art Code has actively been promoting the implementation of the standards of conduct to as many dealers and galleries as possible however, without the ability to engage in extensive public education, many of the relevant businesses and individuals are still unaware of the Art Code.

Arts Law strongly believes that the Art Code should be mandatory in order to address these continued concerns and has lobbied the Federal Government to this effect.

View Arts Law's letter to the Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean, regarding the need for a mandatory Art Code.