Bidjara Blog & Art Tips

As an artist, in particular an indigenous artist, I have seen and experienced firsthand the complications associated with the reselling of artwork.  It is pleasing to see that the Australian Government have finally taken an approach to assist artists to continue to receive a portion of the proceeds from the resale of their work with the passage of the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008 even after their lifetime passes. 

The art world has seen an enormous collective interest evolve around indigenous artists both nationally and internationally, with sizable resale prices occuring due to the high demand.

"Arts Minister Peter Garrett said the introduction of a resale royalty scheme was one of the Government's key election commitments for the arts and would benefit visual artists across the country."

As a practicing artist, I am all too experienced in the difficulties we have to devote to our passion on a fulltime basis.  Many (including myself), need to secure other means of regular income to survive.  This scheme ensures the artists and or their decendants, will receive five per cent of the sale price when works are resold through the art market for $1000 or more during their lifetime and up to and including 70 years after the artists passing.

This scheme is expected to be in place by mid 2010 and will become an invaluable piece of legislation to the art sector and one I hope will be stridently enforced and carefully monitored to ensure it's continual stability.

More information including the Press Release from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, The Hon Peter Garrett, can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2009/mr20091126b.html