National Association for the Visual Arts

We are Australia’s songwriters, recording artists, authors, journalists, photographers, producers, visual artists, composers, screenwriters, playwrights and creative industry businesses. We make the songs that end up on every streaming platform, the photographs that document our lives, the books and scripts and artworks that define our culture, the TV and film productions that light up our screens, and the stories that uncover and tell the truth about our nation.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) acknowledges the Gadigal, Wangal, Dharug, Dharawal, and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners, Custodians and knowledge-holders of the unceded lands on which current NAVA staff live, learn and work. The NAVA Board, and artists whom we represent are based across hundreds of sovereign nations and unceded lands throughout the continent that has become colonially known as Australia.

Floods, fires, heatwaves and drought are increasingly affecting the conditions in which artists live and work. Climate anxiety, ecological grief, disaster trauma and chronic uncertainty have become features of daily life for millions of artists, arts workers and organisations, while those least responsible for the crisis are often experiencing its most severe consequences. Art has always been central to contributing to social change.

NAVA has submitted a comprehensive response to the Federal Government’s consultation on the next National Cultural Policy, drawing on feedback from more than 350 Members and industry colleagues through national consultation workshops, sector meetings and NAVA’s ongoing advocacy and policy work.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has established a staged leadership pathway to create a permanent Deputy Director of First Nations Policy and Advocacy position, beginning with Georgia Mokak’s current First Nations Outreach Coordinator role. The pathway runs from June 2026 to June 2029 and will progressively expand Georgia’s responsibility across advocacy, organisational leadership and implementation of NAVA’s First Nations Policy.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) welcomes the approval of its new Constitution and the election of five Directors to its Board following the 2026 Annual General Meeting. The newly adopted Constitution retains NAVA's longstanding commitment to artist leadership, requiring that at least 50% of Directors are practising artists while also strengthening First Nations representation, and continuing national representation.

Each year, NAVA reviews the Payment Standards in the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design (the Code) to ensure recommended fees and wages remain current and responsive to changes in the broader economy. From 1 July 2026, most rates in NAVA’s Payment Standards will increase in line with the Fair Work Commission's (FWC) Annual Wage Review 2026 decision.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is a Membership organisation that brings together the many voices of the contemporary arts sector to improve fundamental conditions of work and practice. We do this through advocacy, education and the Code of Practice for Visual Arts Craft and Design (the Code).

Following a recent call for nominations, NAVA received four nominations for three Artist Representative vacancies and three nominations for two Organisation Representative vacancies. The nominees are: Artist Representatives Dylan Batty (NSW) Jacky Cheng (WA) Jamie Lewis (Vic) (renomination) Dr Ryan Presley (Qld) (renomination) Organisation Representatives Caine Chennatt (Tas) Janice Falsone (NSW) (renomination) Georgia Hayward (WA) NAVA Members are now invited to vote by following the link below.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) acknowledges the Gadigal, Wangal, Dharug, Dharawal, and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners, Custodians and knowledge-holders of the unceded lands on which current NAVA staff live, learn and work. The NAVA Board, and artists whom we represent are based across hundreds of sovereign nations and unceded lands throughout the continent that has become colonially known as Australia.