The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2010 now in its fourth year will see a record number of 38 Indigenous owned and incorporated art organizations participating. The Fair will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre August 12 – 14.
Supported by both the Federal Government (Fahcsia and DEWHA) and Arts NT there are 25 Indigenous art centres from the Northern Territory, 7 Desart and ANKAAA art centres from WA and 2 Desart art centres from the APY Lands in South Australia. The diversity of works available will be remarkable!
The Fair coincides with the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, a time when the city of Darwin becomes the focal point of the nation for visitors with an interest in Aboriginal art. It positions Darwin at the centre of the Australian Indigenous arts industry and increases the profile of the whole NT Indigenous arts sector.
Many local galleries capitalize on this and exhibit works from participating art centres concurrently with the Art Fair. You could find an emerging artist’s works displayed at the Art Fair while an established artist from the same art centre will be exhibiting up the road at their trusted gallery.
“There really is a buzz across all of Darwin at that time of year” said event organizer Ali Copley “The whole city is alive with people who have an interest in Indigenous art and culture, which only helps to enhance and promote the whole Indigenous arts sector in Darwin”.
The Art Fair has developed into an annual national event providing the art centres with a major marketing platform to grow their profile and build their business capacity.
“We had two Yolngu art centre workers attend and work at the art fair for 3 days. This provided them with invaluable experience in customer service, stock control and display, sales, marketing and promotion.” Art Centre Manager 2009
Strong support for the Fair from the two Northern Territory peak bodies on Indigenous visual art, ANKAAA and Desart ensures the event provides an ethical purchasing platform for buyers of art and benefits the whole NT by placing the NT on the map as THE home of Indigenous arts!
