Desart

01/06/2026

Desart warmly congratulates the NIFA 2026 Traditional Adornment Award nominees! ✨

We look forward to celebrating the NIFA this August on Larrakia Country at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema.

Tickets on sale now: https://www.ifp.org.au/nifa/

29/05/2026

👏👏

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

28/05/2026

Desart is feeling incredibly proud today as we celebrate Hetti Perkins on her recognition with the Creative Australia First Nations Arts and Culture Award, Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership. ✨

A proud Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman and one of this country’s most respected cultural leaders, Hetti has spent decades championing First Nations artists, art centres and communities with courage, cultural authority, truth-telling and deep commitment to Country.

As Head Curator of Desert Mob, Hetti has helped ensure Central Australian desert artists remain front and centre in the national story of art and culture. As Hetti says, “Art centres are the last frontier — holding the line for culture, community and Country. Our network of art centres in this country is unique in the world, safeguarding a way of life for future generations."

We warmly congratulate Hetti and all the outstanding recipients of this year’s First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, and honour the strength, innovation and excellence they bring to First Nations arts and culture.

Desart also acknowledges the other recipients these prestigious awards:
• Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership: Dr Djambawa Marawili AM
• Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence: Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft
• Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence: Stephen Pigram
• Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts: Hayley Millar Baker
• Established Artist of the Year Award: John Harvey
• First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award: Letisha Ackland / Balya Productions



Images: Hetti Perkins in front of works, 'Pereltye' 2025 by Nancy Long Nungarrayi and Rene Long Nungarrayi of Arlpawe Art & Culture Centre, Desert Mob 2025. Photo by . Courtesy Desart.

14/05/2026

Come work with us! 📣

Are you Desart’s new Client Liaison Coordinator?

Do you have experience working with art centres and using SAM? Want to work from anywhere, whilst still being a part of the sector? We’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for someone who understands art centre business and has hands-on experience with the daily use of SAM. In this rewarding role, your primary focus will be providing SAM support to art centres across Australia.

If you’re a friendly, organised, all-rounder who enjoys problem solving, works well in a team, and has experience supporting art centres, this could be the role for you.

On a typical day, you’ll chat with art centre staff located in some of the remotest regions of Australia, delivering online and phone help, troubleshoot, and train as part of the SAM team.

Join the SAM team and be a part of Desart. Our programs support art centres on the principles of ‘culture first’ and industry best practice.

To apply, see link in bio or head to desart.com.au/job-opportunities/

Applications close midnight (ACST) Friday 22 May 2026.

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Images: 1. Desart supporting Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists staff training in SAM (Sharlee and Nat). 2. Desart helping Hermannsburg Potters staff with SAM sales at Desert Mob marketplace (Josie Fly and Alana).

05/05/2026

ART CENTRE JOB OPPORTUNITY 🔆

Tjanpi Desert Weavers are seeking a Creative Development Officer to work alongside Aboriginal women artists across the NPY Lands, supporting the creative development of fibre art within a culturally rich and community-led environment.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a vibrant Indigenous social enterprise of NPY Women’s Council, supporting over 400 Aboriginal women artists across Central and Western Desert regions.

• Role: Full Time – Fixed Term until December 2028.
• Location: Based in Warakurna, WA servicing the Ngaanyatjarra (NG) or negotiable
• Salary: $91,248.41 – $102,296.31 per annum (negotiable based on experience)
• Great benefits including free accommodation and utility services, generous leave entitlements, further salary packaging benefits and more.

📌 To find out more about this position, contact Michelle Young (Tjanpi Manager) on 08 8958 2336 or head to: https://www.npywc.org.au/blogs/employment/creative-development-officer-tjanpi-desert-weavers-1

Please note, this position may close earlier if a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are encouraged.

Applications close Monday 25 May 2026.

Image: Nancy Nanana Jackson collecting tjanpi from Warakurna, WA. Photo by Jade Brockley. Courtesy Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

01/05/2026

DESART JOB OPPORTUNITIES 📣

Desart are seeking a Platform Client Liaison Coordinator and Technical Operations Lead to join the SAM (Stories, Art and Money Database) team. SAM is an online artwork management and archival system that Desart developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait art centres nationwide.

ROLES AVAILABLE:
🔹SAM Technical Operations Lead 🔹
A rare opportunity to lead a meaningful digital project within a values-driven organisation, collaborating with art centres, users and partners to deliver technology that strengthens communities. This role serves as the technical quality guard and project lead for the SAM platform’s evolution and infrastructure.
〉 Role: Full Time – 12 month contract (Further terms subject to funding)
〉 Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 per annum + super
〉 Location: Remote or based in the Desart Office in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Learn more here: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunity/sam-technical-operations-lead/

🔹SAM Platform Client Liaison Coordinator 🔹
Serve as the first point of contact for SAM Clients, directing enquiries and providing technical support and some training of the new SAM system were required.
〉 Role: Full Time – 12 month contract (further terms subject to funding)
〉 Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 per annum + super
〉 Location: Remote (You will be working with a remote team so experience with remote relationships, networking and teamwork is an advantage.)
Learn more here: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunity/sam-platform-client-liaison-coordinator/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

📌Applications close midnight (ACST) Friday 22 May 2026.
To learn more and apply, visit: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunities/

For further information about this role, contact SAM Manager, Bronwyn Taylor – [email protected]

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Images: 1. SAM sales training at Hermannsburg Art Centre with art workers Dalissa, Donna and Josie. 2. Erub Arts staff member Elsie Mye working on SAM. All photos by Alana Holmberg, courtesy Desart.

24/04/2026

DESART JOB OPPORTUNITIES 📣

Desart are seeking a Platform Client Liaison Coordinator and Technical Operations Lead to join the SAM (Stories, Art and Money Database) team.

What is SAM?
SAM is an online artwork management and archival system that Desart developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait art centres nationwide. It is an administrative tool that art centres use on a daily basis to manage their collection and perform important functions such as cataloguing works, documenting provenance, tracking sales and consignments, managing artist accounts and stocks and more.

ROLES AVAILABLE:
🔹SAM Technical Operations Lead 🔹
A rare opportunity to lead a meaningful digital project within a values-driven organisation, collaborating with art centres, users and partners to deliver technology that strengthens communities. This role serves as the technical quality guard and project lead for the SAM platform’s evolution and infrastructure.
〉 Role: Full Time – 12 month contract (Further terms subject to funding)
〉 Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 per annum + super
〉 Location: Remote or based in the Desart Office in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Learn more here: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunity/sam-technical-operations-lead/

🔹SAM Platform Client Liaison Coordinator 🔹
Serve as the first point of contact for SAM Clients, directing enquiries and providing technical support and some training of the new SAM system were required.
〉 Role: Full Time – 12 month contract (further terms subject to funding)
〉 Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 per annum + super
〉 Location: Remote (You will be working with a remote team so experience with remote relationships, networking and teamwork is an advantage.)
Learn more here: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunity/sam-platform-client-liaison-coordinator/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

📌Applications close midnight (ACST) Friday 22 May 2026.
To learn more and apply, visit: https://desart.com.au/job-opportunities/

For further information about this role, contact SAM Manager, Bronwyn Taylor – [email protected]

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Images: 1. SAM trainer Scott Denholm with Josie Fly at Hermannsburg Potters. 2. Art worker Sharlee of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists practicing to make sales in SAM. All photos courtesy Desart.

22/04/2026

ART CENTRE JOB OPPORTUNITY 🔆

Bindi Enterprises and Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists are seeking an Administrator & Gallery Support professional to help bring their vibrant Alice Springs gallery to life!

Located in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in Central Australia, Bindi is an innovative social enterprise providing supported employment and training opportunities for people with disability.

This is a hands on, people‑focused role where you’ll be at the centre of daily gallery operations, connecting visitors with incredible artwork and powerful artist stories.

You’ll be busy with things like:
• Learning and sharing the stories behind our artists and their work
• Welcoming gallery visitors and managing sales and transactions
• Coordinating freight and delivery of sold artworks
• Keeping displays, price lists and gallery spaces looking sharp
• Responding to phone, email and in‑person enquiries with warmth and professionalism
• Supporting administration tasks including meeting minutes, filing, stationery and invoicing, and supporting artists to make art.

This is your chance to work at the intersection of art, community and culture, right in the heart of Central Australia. Learn more now via the link in our bio or head to: https://careers.lifestylesolutions.org.au/jobs/administrator-and-gallery-support-alice-springs-central-australia-nt-australia

For a copy of the position description, email Jason at [email protected]. Early applications are encouraged as they will be shortlisting as they go and may close early.

Images: 1. Billy at his desk, 2026. 2. Adrian Jangala Robertson in the studio. All images courtesy Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists Art Centre.

21/04/2026

The 2026 Desart Art Centre Conference saw directors, art centre managers, art workers and artists from across Central Australia come together for three days of knowledge-sharing, connection and immersive learning experiences.

Held on Arrernte Country, the conference provided an important space for Desart members to come together, discuss key industry priorities, and strengthen networks that support the sustainability of the sector. The broad program of presentations, roundtable discussions, and workshops covered topics from governance and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), to Work health and safety and AI.

As the sector continues to navigate challenges and opportunities, the success of this year’s conference underscores the importance of coming together on Country - creating space for dialogue, reflection, and collective growth.

Desart would like to acknowledge and thank the delegates and special guests who attended the conference: Arts NT, Creative Australia, AusGov Office for the Arts, Artback NT, Arts Law Centre of Australia, Chapman and Bailey, Copyright Agency, Indigenous Art Code, IVAIS, Maggie Kavanagh Consulting, and National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Desart is funded by IVAIS, Northern Territory Government and Creative Australia.

Images: 1. (L-R) Mandy Malbunka, Dellina Inkamala, Raelene Inkamala, Tyler Arnold, Vanessa Inkamala and Kathy Inkamala of Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre at Desart Art Centre Conference 2026. 2. Isobel Major of Papunya Tjupi and Roseranna Larry of Ikuntji Artists. 3. Desart CEO Philip Watkins addressing attendees at the conference. 4. Dr Louise Buckingham and Julia McIverney of Arts Law. 5. Chapman and Bailey Director Mark Chapman and Lisa Mpetyan Cook of Inkwareny Artists participating in the artworkers workshop at Chapman and Bailey. 6. (L-R) Coralie Williams, Marjorie Williams, and Ingrid Williams of Tangentyere Artists. 7. Desart Governance Resources workshop. 8. Martina Napangardi Wheeler, Loretta Penangk Morton and Lisa Mpetyan Cook of Inkwareny Artists at the Chapman and Bailey Artworkers Workshop. All photos by Sara Maiorino. Courtesy Desart.

16/04/2026

Entries for the 2026 Vincent Lingiari Art Award close tomorrow - Friday 17 April! 🎨

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976, this prestigious award offers three prizes:
• Vincent Lingiari Art Award: $10,000
• Vincent Lingiari CLC Delegates Choice Award: $2,000
• Desart People's Choice Award: $2,000

For more information on how to enter:
• Contact your local art centre
• Call on 08 8953 4736
• Email [email protected]