Many organisations approach the artwork commission process without a clear understanding of copyright licensing, which can lead to misunderstandings and unintentional harm. We created this simple, practical guide so that you can ensure a respectful, ethical, and legally sound process for all parties involved.

Whether you're a business, a government entity, or part of a project team, if you're working to deliver projects or services that seek to represent First Nations voices, cultures, and lived experiences, adopting best practices to collaborate and engage with First Nations peoples, communities and businesses is crucial.

Allyship is a word we hear often, but what does it truly mean to be an ally to First Nations communities? Real allyship runs much deeper than surface-level actions. Are your efforts actually reflective of meaningful allyship, or do they fall into the category of performative support—a situationship disguised as allyship?

Before engaging with an Aboriginal artist to create a commissioned artwork for your Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), it’s essential to approach the process with cultural respect, integrity and clear intentions. Here are some key considerations to ensure a positive and ethical collaboration with a First Nations artist.

If your organisation wants to engage a First Nations artist to create a commissioned artwork, you need to make sure you understand Copyright, Licensing & Cultural Custodianship first. So before you start, here’s everything you need to know.