Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts
First published in 2002 and revised in 2007, this protocol guide endorses the rights of Indigenous people to their cultural heritage and supports Indigenous creative practice. This protocol guide encourages self-determination and helps build a strong and diverse Indigenous arts sector. These are key goals and priority areas of the Australia Council for the Arts.
Creative practitioners who work with Indigenous artists or engage with Indigenous cultural heritage in projects, and are funded by Australia Council for the Arts grant assessment panels are required to comply with this protocol guide as a condition of funding.
Over the years, the principles and protocols contained in this protocol guide have also been applied nationally and internationally – educating readers and users on Indigenous Australian cultural heritage, and encouraging meaningful collaborations with Indigenous artists and creators.
Image compiled with: Broken Glass photo – Lily Shearer, Liza-Mare Syron and Katie Leslie. Credit Joshua Morris; Joel Bray and Damion Hunter in Djurra – a NORPA Production, Credit: Kate Holmes; Polly Hilton, Darren Edwards, Claire Voss, Christian Luck, Catherine Young and Oliver Edwardson in Milnjiya, Milky Way – River of Stars, image courtesy of West Australian Ballet. Credit Sergey Pevnev.