MEDIA STATEMENT
The Australia Council acknowledges the findings of the Productivity Commission report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts and Crafts.
The report underscores the value of First Nations visual arts and crafts to Australia’s culture and economy; and highlights the need to strengthen protections for First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property to address the impact of inauthentic products.
Australia Council Executive Director First Nations Arts and Culture Franchesca Cubillo said:
“We welcome the Productivity Commission’s report, handed down today by Commissioner Romlie Mokak.
We support measures to strengthen protections for First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property and ensure the rights of First Nations people to own and control their cultural heritage. We acknowledge the Government’s commitment to developing stand-alone legislation. The Australia Council’s Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts offer best-practice guidelines and are a condition of funding for artists and organisations that receive Australia Council investment.”
In responding to the recommendation for an independent evaluation of relevant Australia Council programs, Ms Cubillo said:
“The Council has proactively identified evaluation as an area we want to refine and strengthen. We look forward to engaging with the Federal Government to respond to the recommendations of the report.”
The full report is available on the Productivity Commission website.
We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.
We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways, and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions. We are privileged to gather on this Country and to share knowledge, culture and art, now and with future generations.
