Employment Agency: Advocacy

Since its establishment in 1986, Artsource has undertaken advocacy and lobbying with particular input into policy and project development that has direct benefit to all visual artists in Western Australia.

Artsource works with the visual arts sector generally by offering expert advice, resources, professional representation and development as well as a range of other supportive services.

Artsource advocates on behalf of its artist members to all levels of government, to clients and to affiliated organisations.

Utilising an image library of over 7,000 images of art in public spaces from around the globe, Artsource advocates creative solutions to art commissioning bodies with a view to widening their understanding of the role of art in contemporary society. See Client Services.

Advice
Artsource provides advice to artists about funding, tax, approaching galleries, developing exhibition ideas and professional development issues. See Artists Services.

Artists can be swamped by the need to respond to a whole range of issues that confront them in their practice daily. Those issues can be as confusing as the latest requirements by the ATO and a need to explain the distinction between professional and hobbyists. Or they can be as simple and frightening as a new clause in a commission contract or a lack of understanding of protocols when working with Indigenous communities.

Artsource works with key government organisations on all levels to ensure that there is an understanding of the position artists occupy in our society.

Regional
Artsource works on behalf of its regional members to ensure that they are considered for employment and professional development possibilities. Since the commencement of the Regional and Indigenous Artist Development Project (R&I) artsource has increased its level of service to regional and Indigenous artists in the Midwest, Goldfields and Great Southern region. By holding regular meetings with key regional stakeholders artsource promotes the benefit of artists to their region including the economic and cultural tourism contributions made by artists, and seeking their support to become actively involved in the visual arts.

The Project has been a great opportunity to bring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists together to share in the information that is provided through the workshop program.

Artsource is seen as a catalyst for different artist groups and arts organisations to come together in different town centres. Artsource has developed strong relationships with Indigenous organisations, groups and individuals, and works to ensure their representation on the R&I Reference Group and as key contacts in each region.