Featuring 1019 First Nations artists and over 4000 works, the 2021 AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market enjoyed record-breaking sales of $574,265 over 10 days. Operating from 26 November until 5 December, the 2021 AIATSIS IAM provided an ethical online platform for First Nations art with 100% of sales returned directly to the sources.
From its origins as a physical event on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in 2014 the AIATSIS IAM has established itself as a drawcard for art buyers – initially for those in the ACT region. Since going online in 2020 it has attracted buyers from throughout Australia and from abroad with its showcase of a diverse range of paintings, textiles, sculptures and much more.
‘The response to the AIATSIS IAM as an online event in 2021 was encouragingly strong,’ said AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie.
‘This year, we had 15,000 unique visitors to the art market website, drawn in by marketing activity that included 103 social media posts. There were 37 arts organisations and individual artists who registered for the market.
‘Art market visitors purchased 1250 individual items for a total of close to $575,000 that was returned directly to the participating artists, art centres and communities.
‘What is also interesting is the halo effect – sales through the AIATSIS IAM website have generated additional traffic to the individual art centres, creating an estimated 5 to 10% in further direct sales just from this event.
‘The market for Indigenous art remains very strong, and buyers want reassurance that their purchases will benefit the producers of those works.’
In 2021 AIATSIS worked with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation to ensure the best online presentation on behalf of the artists and the best online experience for customers.