NETS Agencies

ARTBACK NT

From visual arts and music to performing arts and traditional and contemporary dance, Artback NT collaborate with artists to create, cultivate and share their stories. Identifying and assisting with funding opportunities, establishing and coordinating local, national and international tours of artistic work and designing of public programs and marketing materials, they strive to support and showcase the immense talent and diversity from across the Northern Territory’s 1.3 million square kilometres. Working from offices in Garramilla (Darwin), Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and Borroloola, Artback NT showcases NT artists in galleries, museums, theatres, pubs and on the sands of remote communities. 

Artback NT is the National Exhibitions Touring Support (NETS) agency for the Northern Territory and, in 1998, became the Territory’s peak visual and performing arts touring organisation through an amalgamation with Circuit North. The unique environment of the Northern Territory resulted in the development of a touring model responsive to the cultural and geographic diversity of the region. This model maximises the potential of alternative venues and calls on innovative solutions to provide meaningful access to performing and visual arts for the remote communities they service.

ART ON THE MOVE

ART ON THE MOVE aim to present a program of exhibitions that reflects the diversity and complexity of Western Australia’s cultures, places, and people, offering a minimum of six exhibitions or projects for tour at any one time. Each ART ON THE MOVE exhibition tours for up to 24 months.  This program is built from a combination of internally developed projects, organisational partnerships and exhibitions selected through a public Expression of Interest process opened every two years.

ART ON THE MOVE work with a diverse group of artists across their programs and develop activities in partnership with creative organisations across industries to build and share knowledge, and to develop and grow a wide variety of audiences for the arts in Western Australia. They also offer a range of inclusive events and activities that reflect the diversity of the communities in WA and art forms that exist- with the aim of sharing and shaping the possibilities for positive impact creativity can have in our lives in a rapidly changing world. These programs include large scale events, workshops, artist talks, tours, longer term artist residencies and projects as well as online activities and resources. These learning programs are for everyone and take place in the galleries, in the community and online.

CONTEMPORARY ART TASMANIA

Contemporary Art Tasmania (CAT) evolved from the amalgamation of the contemporary art spaces Chameleon Gallery (1982) and ArtHouse with NETS Tasmania in 1993. The organisation is embedded in the island’s cultural networks and continues to evolve around the shifting needs and aspirations of artists and in response to changing practices, art forms and ideas informing larger national and global contexts. CAT’s dual core programs – gallery-based projects and touring exhibitions – are augmented with artist development, public engagement and digital programs. Gallery-based programs instigate, develop and present artistic expression and experiences that reflect the breadth of inventive, playful or challenging ideas which inform contemporary practice; it responds to the field, or evolves through development activities, and is led by a small, proactive and ever-renewing curatorial committee.   

The CAT touring program contributes to the flow of cultural material and exchange of ideas around the state and the nation. The program embraces emerging practices, curatorial paradigms and non-traditional touring models and privileges projects that are unusual in scale, format or in their aspiration. The Touring Exhibition Committee comprises the Director (or representative) of Tasmania’s public galleries and a majority of touring projects are developed in partnerships with these organisations. This can also involve working closely with early-career staff from project conception to delivery. 

COUNTRY ARTS SA

Country Arts SA is one of South Australia’s largest arts organisations, providing arts services across regional South Australia. They deliver programs and initiatives, manage performing arts venues, visual arts touring, professional and creative development for artists and provide funding which supports the creative endeavours of communities and individuals.  Their vision is for artists and communities of regional South Australia to thrive through engagement with the arts and be recognised as essential contributors to the nation’s cultural voice. 

Country Arts SA’s touring program has an emphasis on contemporary visual arts practice and acknowledges the need to promote innovation, education, growth and conceptual and technical development in the arts across South Australia and interstate.  The program facilitates regional audiences’ access to enriching experiences which will be enjoyable, thought-provoking and challenge their worldview. They provide opportunities for artists to make new work, providing a platform for them to share their voice and realise their creative visions whilst supporting sustainable artistic practice. They strive to raise the profile of regional visual artists and art galleries alike and by doing so support meaningful exchange between metropolitan and regional areas. 

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES OF NSW

Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) is a peak body whose purpose is to support the capacity building of small to medium museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres so they can realise and maximise their impact on their communities. Their program covers the Museum Advisor Program; Standards Program; annual IMAGinE Awards; sector digitisation through the Storyplace website; sector research and advocacy as well as managing significant rounds of devolved funding available to the museum and gallery sector.  

M&G NSW also work closely with the NSW regional gallery network touring major exhibitions through NETS, the National Exhibition Touring Support agency of which they are the NSW representative. In this role they  develop, coordinate, and provide practical hands-on assistance in coordinating travelling exhibitions around the state and further afield, tours are supported by mediation training for for venue staff, Educational Symposiums, public programming and installation support. M&G NSW also support other organisations in developing and managing their own tours.  

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES QLD

Museums & Galleries Queensland (M&G QLD) is the peak professional body for the public museum and gallery sector in Queensland.  Their purpose is to advance, support and provide services to foster understanding, knowledge and excellence in museums, galleries and keeping places. To ensure a future where museums, galleries and keeping places are relevant, accessible and valued by their communities. M&G QLD provide a range of programs and services in the areas of Sector Development; Training and Professional Development; Exhibition Development and Touring; Information and Communication Services; and promote the achievements of Queensland public galleries and museums.

M&G QLD’s Exhibition & Development Touring Program provides Australian communities with access to high-quality contemporary exhibitions of visual arts, craft, social history, Indigenous culture, new media, design, and showcases the work of Australian and international artists. They develop touring initiatives in response to identified sector needs and partner with galleries, curators, artists, and arts organisations to present touring exhibitions. M&G QLD also provide developmental, mentoring and tour management services and support including development of itineraries, educational and access resources, public programs and collateral; venue servicing; tour logistics. They also have a strong commitment to support First Nations arts and culture with a minimum of two touring exhibitions/programs delivered annually.

NETS Victoria

NETS Victoria is the peak body for visual art, craft and design touring and the State’s only full-service visual arts touring organisation. NETS Vic take a hands-on approach to supporting and showcasing the work of Australian curators, artists, arts workers and arts organisations, connecting them with one another, and fostering collaboration through the provision of curatorial, financial and capacity building support. 

NETS Vic work with an established network of regional galleries to bring new exhibitions to life in new locations and support galleries to capture wider audiences. Their exhibitions are enhanced by educational programs, encouraging increased audience participation and engagement with contemporary art. NETS Vic deliver a bold, forward-thinking and inclusive Artistic Program that reflects the diversity of contemporary Australian artists and their stories, and the diverse needs of audiences.

The National Touring Initiative is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.