Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocol

If working with First Nations creatives, intellectual property and/or cultural themes, we recommend reading the following resources:

• Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols - Create NSW 
  Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols from the NSW State Government.
• Aboriginal Heritage Office 
  Supported by a number of Sydney councils, including Northern Beaches Council.
• Australian Indigenous Design Charter 
  For designers working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and themes, or interested in First Nations practices. 
• Fact Sheet from Arts Law
  A helpful fact sheet on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property
• First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts - Creative Australia
  This protocol guide encourages self-determination and helps build a strong and diverse Indigenous arts sector. It provides a pathway for collaborations and creation of new Indigenous work.
• NAVA - Resources 
  A collection of resources for visual artists. 
• NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group 
  A non for profit Aboriginal organisation that provides advice on all matters relevant to education and training with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint.
• Terri Janke and Company
  Rights to Culture: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), Copyright and Protocols
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
• Webinar from Creative Australia
  Using First Nations Protocols for Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts

Accessibility

• Accessible Arts NSW
  The peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. They advance the rights of, and opportunities for, people with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts and have equitable access to arts and culture across NSW.
   

Cultural Diversity

• Creative Equity Toolkit
  Resources for cultural diversity in the creative sector.
• Diversity Arts Australia
  Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is the national voice for ethno-cultural and migrant racial equity in the arts, cultural and creative industries.
   

Government

Federal 

• Australian Government, Office of the Arts
• Creative Australia

State

• Create NSW 

Northern Beaches Council

Refer to Council's Arts & Creativity Strategy page for information on our policies and strategies. 

Industry bodies and services

Multi-disciplinary 

• Arts Law Centre of Australia
  Australia’s only national community centre for the arts. A not-for-profit committed to strengthening the value and respect for creative communities and culture.
• Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)
  A professional association and trade union in Australia that represents workers in the media, entertainment, and arts industries.

Design

• Australian Design Centre
  The Australian Design Centre is a contemporary craft and design organization dedicated to supporting Australian makers and designers through exhibitions, festivals, retail, and educational platforms, while fostering cultural vibrancy and innovation both locally and internationally.
• Australian Production Design Guild (APDG)
  APDG represents designers and their associates in screen, live performance, events and digital production across Australia.

Music

• APRA AMCOS
  Representing the rights of music creators, ensuring they receive royalties for the use of their works and providing services to songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Provides resources for musicans and sound engineers. 
• Live Music Office
  A not-for-profit organization focused on increasing opportunities for live music in Australia by advocating for improved policies, regulations, and strategies to support musicians, venues, and the broader industry.
• Music NSW
  A not-for-profit organization funded by Create NSW, dedicated to supporting and connecting the music community in the state through a variety of programs and services for artists and industry professionals.
• Sound NSW
  Sound NSW is a government initiative focused on supporting and growing the music industry in New South Wales through funding, policy development, and strategic partnerships.

Screen

• Australian Cinematographers Society 
  The Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) is a professional organization that represents cinematographers in Australia, promoting excellence in the art and craft of cinematography through education, events, and industry advocacy.
• Australian Directors' Guild (ADG)
  The ADG supports and champions directors, their work and their rights. 
• Screen Australia
  Screen Australia is the national agency responsible for supporting and funding the development, production, and promotion of Australian screen content across film, television, and digital media.
• Screen NSW
  Screen NSW is a government agency that supports the growth and development of the screen industry in New South Wales through funding, resources, and industry initiatives.

Theatre and performance

• Live Performance Australia
  Live Performance Australia is the peak body for Australia's live performance industry, representing promoters, producers, performing arts companies, venues, festivals, and allied industries, while advocating for members' interests and providing support in areas such as industrial relations, policy, and industry development.
• Performing Arts Connections Australia
  A membership and service organisation, representing and supporting performing arts presenters, venues, producers and creators in Australia through industry development and training, market development initiatives, and research and advocacy.

Visual Arts & Craft

• Australian Ceramics Association
  The Australian Ceramics Association is an organization that supports and connects ceramic practitioners, enthusiasts, and related groups across Australia, aiming to strengthen and promote the ceramics community through advocacy, resources, and collaborations.
• National Association for the Visual Arts
  NAVA is a Membership organisation which brings together the many voices of the contemporary arts sector to improve fundamental conditions of work and practice through advocacy, education and the Code of Practice.

Writing

• Australian Writers' Guild
  The professional association representing writers for stage, screen, audio and interactive.
• Writing NSW
  Provider of services to writers, including courses, seminars and workshops, writing groups, festivals and events, grants and prizes, and information and advice.

Payment of creatives

• Australian Production Design Guild
  Standard agreements and pay rates for designers and creative associates for live performance and screen. 
• Creative Australia
  Overview of equitable payment of artists. 
• Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
  Freelance rate tracker with current charge-out rates. 
• NAVA Code of Practice
  Detailed examples of pay rates for artists.

Sustainability

• Council’s policy on Single Use Plastics
  We ask that projects adhere to our Single Use Plastics Policy. 
• Theatre Green Book
  Practical tips and comprehensive sustainability plans. 
• Sustainable Theatres Australia
  A collective of theatremakers and administrators who are passionately dedicated to the mission of creating a more sustainable Australian theatre industry.
• Julie’s Bicycle
  A pioneering not-for-profit, mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis.
• NIDA Green
  Resources and best-practice examples from the National Institute of Dramatic Art

Wellbeing

Creative projects are highly rewarding, they can also be challenging. It is important to consider your mental health and wellbeing. You may want to refer to the following resources to care for yourself and your collaborators.

• Creative Workplaces, from Creative Australia
  Creative Workplaces was established for artists, art workers and arts organisations to promote and enable fair, safe and respectful workplaces in the arts and culture sector. Creative Workplaces recognises artists as both creatives and workers.
• Hey Mate Project
  A social enterprise delivering evidence-based mental health, wellness support, and education to the music, entertainment, performing arts, and the broader creative industries.
• Support Act
  A charity for the music industry, delivering crisis relief services to musicians, managers, crew and music workers across all genres who are unable to work due to ill health, injury, a mental health problem or some other crisis.