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TSRA sponsors forum to connect the region’s Artists

Community Connection

Artists and craftspeople from the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area recently gathered on Thursday Island for a two-day forum to connect with peak Indigenous arts bodies.

A broad group of presenters and industry experts from organisations including The Indigenous Art Code, Copyright Agency, and Flying Arts joined with the Gab Titui Cultural Centre for this annual event, which is coordinated by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Culture, Art and Heritage Programme.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen, described the forum as a key initiative in the TSRA’s support of artists in the region.

“Artists from across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area were presented with opportunities to understand and explore career development opportunities, exhibition preparation, artwork pricing and provenance,” Mr Stephen said.

“The forum also had a key focus on understanding Australia’s copyright and intellectual property laws, and the fair and ethical trade of artworks,” he said.

Mr Stephen also described the face-to-face contact with industry experts as integral to developing networks for professional practitioners in the region.

“Equipping artists with the tools to ensure they are paid fairly, their work is protected, and they have access to opportunities outside the region is key to securing a sustainable future for our region’s arts industry,” he said.

“We will continue to work with our partners outside the region to ensure that artists have access to the information and professional advice necessary to develop their practice.”

For more information about the forum, or to access materials, artists can contact the TSRA Arts Development Officer, Emily Beckley on 07 4069 0700 or cahteam@tsra.gov.au