Queensland Professional Development Program: Update and Upcoming

NAVA secured funding through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) last year to employ a part-time Professional Development Coordinator based in Queensland. The aim of the role was to promote and embed the Code of Practice for the Visual Arts, Craft and Design (the Code) in professional development programs for artists, arts workers, local government, tertiary institutions and arts organisations across Queensland. Robyn Fernandez assumed the position in late July 2023.

During the first 3-6 months, we engaged extensively with the state’s visual arts sector, including local government, peak bodies, arts organisations, artist run initiatives (ARIs) and artists to understand their needs in navigating the Code. The overwhelming request was for in-person conversations rather than Zoom meetings. Wherever possible, we prioritised attending and presenting in person. We have loved meeting Queensland’s committed and dedicated artists and arts workers.

NAVA had a fantastic time at the Ipswich Symposium in November 2023, organised and hosted by the Ipswich City Council. Robyn Fernandez provided valuable learning opportunities for arts workers in the local government and not-for-profits arts sectors, focusing on exploring and promoting adherence of organisations, governments, and funding bodies to the Code. The symposium hosted 50 arts workers from 12 local government jurisdictions and organisations across southeast and western Queensland. Through workshop-style presentations, attendees received professional development on new sections of the Code and the Payment Standards. Stephanie Parkin co-presented on the First Nations sections of the Code, ensuring culturally appropriate delivery to First Nations audiences.

NAVA is committed to engaging with First Nation artists and communities. We were invited to present the Code at BL:AK Camp, an initiative of Libby Harward and the Blak Creatives crew at Munimba-ja on Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi Country at Cambroon in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Led by Stephanie Parkin, author of the First Nations sections of the Code, our sessions covered artist rates, fees, contracts, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), Intellectual Property (IP), and collaborations. Other discussions were held by the Copyright Agency, the Office for the Arts and Arts Law-Artists in the Black.  

At the Find: Public Art Summit Bundaberg, presented by CQ University, Regional Arts Services Network and Bundaberg Regional Council, Robyn and Stephanie presented on working in the public art space, engaging with First Nations artists, contracts, IP, ICIP, arts payment standards, and ethics. They also participated in the ethics panel alongside Brian Robinson and Libby Harward, facilitated by Bundaberg Regional Gallery Manager Rebecca McDuff.

Looking ahead, NAVA will be hosting workshops in Pomona on 17 April and Gympie on 18 April in partnership with the Regional Arts Services Network and the Gympie Regional Council. These workshops aim to provide further opportunities for artists and arts workers to engage with the Code and gain valuable insights into industry good practices.

NAVA’s efforts in Queensland have made a significant impact. Over 2023-24, NAVA has reached close to 250 arts workers and artists through 40  arts organisations across 77 local government areas. This is half (51.9%) of the state’s local government areas. We look forward to continuing the conversation and delivering workshops across Queensland.

Quotes from Participants

“Thank you for coming along today, it was really great to hear about the Code and as an emerging artist. It is so helpful knowing this and NAVA is there is advocate for the artist,”  participant Find: Public Art Summit Bundaberg

“It’s so helpful knowing the Code of Practice is there, it helps me do my job better and advocate to members of Council that may not know about best practices,” participant Find: Public Art Summit Bundaberg.

“....many applicants often have questions about where to find rates of pay for artists, cultural advisors and other arts workers. It has been wonderful to be able to point them to your Code of Practice as a place of reference and information,” arts worker, Flying Arts.

“Thank you for making time to be here in person and talk to us about the Code,” participant Ipswich Symposium.

“I found it really useful and working through the case studies as a group helped me understand the practical application of the Code,” participant Ipswich Symposium.

“The audience was really receptive and engaged in the discussions over the afternoon. Some artists had not heard of NAVA or artists rights, 2-3 knew of NAVA, rates, and insurance. We need consistent education that needs to happen annually and the NAVA Rates is a good base to work from in presentation,” participant BL:AK Camp.