"A Fair Voice for Aboriginal Art"
Aboriginal Art Association of Australia: the national industry association for Australian Indigenous visual art
The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA) is the national, non-partisan industry association for the Australian Indigenous visual arts sector. Founded in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) in 1998 and incorporated in 1999, the Association represents artists, art centres, galleries, dealers, valuers and supporters across the country. Every member is bound by the AAAA Code of Ethics and Business Practice. The Association advocates to government on behalf of the industry, moderates disputes between industry participants, accredits valuers, and provides guidance to art buyers on how to buy Aboriginal art ethically.
What the AAAA does
Advocacy
The AAAA lobbies and informs federal and state government on matters affecting the Indigenous visual arts industry, including resale royalties, provenance protocols, codes of conduct and the future direction of the sector.
Standards
Membership requires adherence to the AAAA Code of Ethics and Business Practice and to the Indigenous Art Code. The Association investigates complaints and moderates disputes between industry participants.
Valuations
The AAAA maintains a register of accredited valuers qualified to value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art for insurance, probate, family division and the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
Consumer guidance
The Association publishes independent advice for people buying Aboriginal art, covering authenticity, certificates of authenticity, fair pricing, provenance and red flags.
Who can join
Membership is open to anyone working in or supporting the Australian Indigenous visual arts industry. There are four categories: Artist, Trade, Associate and Supporter. The AAAA is a non-partisan body that advocates for all industry participants, including artists, galleries and dealers, whether independent or affiliated with an art centre. Since 2016 the Constitution has reserved three Board positions for Indigenous members, and the Aboriginal Cultural Council gives Indigenous members a direct voice in Association decisions.
Buying Aboriginal art
If you are buying Aboriginal art and want to know how to do it ethically, the AAAA's Complete Guide to Buying Aboriginal Art covers authenticity, provenance, fair value and what to look for in a certificate of authenticity.
“I joined the AAAA because I wanted to have a say in my industry and my people’s future before important industry decisions are made. The AAAA and our Aboriginal Cultural Council give me that voice.”
Charmaine Pwerle
Artist Member
History
The Association was founded as Art.Trade in 1998 and formally became the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia in 2015, when members approved an updated Constitution and a strengthened Code of Ethics and Business Practice binding on all members.