​Clause 3: Purposes and Objectives

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3.1 Principal Purposes

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The Association is established to: 

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(a) Serve and represent artists, individuals and organisations that produce, promote, protect or support Aboriginal art and the cultures that create and nurture that art; 

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(b) Ensure a vibrant, healthy, sustainable and inclusive Aboriginal visual arts industry; 

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(c) Recognise that the industry depends upon the creative genius of Aboriginal artists producing cultural material and that the long-term viability of the industry depends upon that culture remaining strong; 

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(d) Provide the industry with and promote a nationwide safe and ethical environment in which Aboriginal artists are free to practise their craft for fair and prompt remuneration; 

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(e) Advocate for all industry participants, whether artist, gallery or dealer and whether independent or art centre affiliated; 

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(f) Provide Members with a mechanism to expand their contacts, remain abreast of industry issues and grow their businesses.

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3.2 Further Objectives

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The Association shall further: 

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(a) Foster commitment to excellence in product, presentation and service in the sale of Aboriginal artworks throughout Australia; 

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(b) Foster consumer confidence in those dealing in Aboriginal arts and crafts; 

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(c) Promote honesty and integrity in dealings between the public, museums, Aboriginal artists, their representatives, galleries and dealers in Aboriginal art; 

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(d) Develop, promote, uphold and enforce compliance with the Code of Ethics, including investigating alleged breaches thereof; 

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(e) Enhance the professional standing of the Members; 

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(f) Develop stronger ties between dealers in Aboriginal art and Aboriginal artists, their agents, arts bodies and Government; 

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(g) Promote financial accountability in the relationships between retailers, agents and manufacturers and the Aboriginal artists with whom they work; 

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(h) Provide support for Aboriginal artists; 

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(i) Encourage emerging Aboriginal artists; 

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(j) Assist in the development and promotion of a national standard for authentication of Aboriginal artworks; 

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(k) Bring together Members of the Association for mutual improvement and higher education; 

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(l) Promote the interest of Members in all matters affecting their professional reputation; 

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(m) Admit and recognise as Members only such persons as shall comply with this Constitution, the Association's Code of Ethics and rules made by the Board; 

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(n) Promote, support or oppose legislative measures affecting the business interests of Members and the welfare of Aboriginal artists; 

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(o) Promote the role of artists and community organisations in the preservation and maintenance of the cultural life of Aboriginal communities; 

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(p) Collect, maintain and circulate to Members statistics and information regarding the Aboriginal art market or relevant legislation, and publish materials conducive to these objects;

 

(q) Undertake arbitration, settlement and adjudication of disputes between Members arising out of trade and commerce; 

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(r) Subscribe or guarantee money for charitable or benevolent objects, particularly those relevant to Aboriginal arts; 

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(s) Do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects and the exercise of the powers of the Association.