News

11 March 2010

Donny Woolagoodja, senior Indigenous artist from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, last night addressed a large crowd of artists and leading figures from the creative industries at Viscopy’s exhibition space Blackfriars off Broadway.

It is estimated that more than 100 people attended the exhibition entitled Mowanjum Wandjina Artists which showcases the work of 14 artists from the Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre near Derby in Western Australia. Included in the show are works by Donny Woolagoodja whose design for the giant Wandjina spirit featured in the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

In his address, Mr Woolagoodja expressed his support for Viscopy and its recognition and protection of artists’ copyright. He noted that for members of the Mowanjum community it is important to have an opportunity to show and sell their art.

The Mowanjum community is made up of three Indigenous tribes: the Worora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul who are the traditional owners of the lands north of Derby. The Wandjina represents the supreme spirit being and its image features in rock shelters throughout the region. Mr Woolagoodja and members of the Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre instruct younger artists in cultural matters including painting techniques so that they have the knowledge and skills to maintain and protect the region's sacred rock art sites that are estimated to date back more than 10,000 years.

In officially opening the exhibition, Viscopy director and renowned Indigenous artist and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft said: "These artists are continuing a tradition that has endured for hundreds of centuries and a tradition that allows them to deliver strength to their community and cultural continuity. Aboriginal people across Australia have had varying degrees of success with their art and it is wonderful to see these artists being recognised for their combined community efforts."

The event also featured a performance by Indigenous soul rapper Radical Son.

25 February 2010

Viscopy this week appointed Indigenous community media specialist Trevor Dodds as its Indigenous Program Co-ordinator.

The federally funded position enables Viscopy to continue to provide vital copyright education and copyright licensing training to Indigenous artists and art centre workers in urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities.

Trevor has an extensive background in Indigenous community media and arts, having spent more than 15 years working in radio broadcasting around Australia, and more recently in the newsroom at the National Indigenous Television Network, NITV. He first recognised the importance of adhering to Indigenous cultural protocols and the processes involved in community outreach programs during his early work at the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association in Alice Springs in the mid-1990s.

Viscopy’s chief executive Joanna Cave said: “We are delighted to welcome Trevor to the Viscopy team. His extensive knowledge of Indigenous community issues and experience in broadcast journalism means he is well equipped to use creative approaches to make the often complex concepts of copyright and licensing law accessible, meaningful and interesting.”

Trevor’s role at Viscopy includes consulting widely with Indigenous communities throughout Australia about the role copyright plays in protecting and valuing Indigenous artists’ rights in their creative work and its potential to generate additional income for those artists.

Viscopy’s Indigenous visual artist education program delivers educational and training workshops to Indigenous artists and art centre workers. This program supports the federal government’s National Arts & Crafts Industry Support Program which aims to increase Indigenous involvement and control, raise awareness of moral rights and intellectual property and develop professional art practices.

“I’m excited by the challenge of using my skills in media and communications to further the protection of Indigenous rights, particularly in the area of copyright,” said Trevor upon his appointment.

“Community outreach is an important part of Viscopy’s service and I’m keen to hear the views from people on the ground about their needs and, through my role with Viscopy, give them the educational tools needed to ensure the protection of their copyright into the future.”

Indigenous artists and arts organisations interested in participating in a free copyright education workshop should contact Viscopy on 02 9310 2018.

18 January 2010

Today Viscopy launched its new website www.viscopy.org.au.

The new site is designed to provide more information about Viscopy's services for both artists and licensing customers. Features include the ability to find licensing prices online, search for images to hire, peruse Viscopy's member database, sign up for a free copyright workshop and find out all the latest news and information about artists' rights. The new site also showcases a changing selection of work by Viscopy members and features a different artist every month on the homepage.

Viscopy has changed its website address and the new site can be found at http://www.viscopy.org.au

14 December 2009

Viscopy has been awarded a grant of $170,000 to deliver a copyright education program to Indigenous artists in Australia. The grant has been awarded by National Arts and Crafts Industry Support, which is part of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), to enable Viscopy to raise awareness amongst Indigenous artists of their rights under copyright law.

Viscopy's chief executive, Joanna Cave said: "We are especially proud of the copyright education program we deliver for artists, students and arts organisations throughout Australia. We are committed to ensuring as many artists as possible learn about copyright and are able to benefit from our expertise in this area. We are delighted that the Government has demonstrated its support for this important work by awarding Viscopy further grant funding which will enable us to take the program to Indigenous artists living across Australia, including in some of the most remote regions".

In a new initiative, Viscopy is planning to partner with other organisations working in the field to maximise the effectiveness of the program in the year ahead.

Viscopy is a not-for-profit membership rights management organisation representing over 7,000 artists and their beneficiaries, approximately 47% of the total population of artists in Australia. Indigenous artists account for almost half of these.

Viscopy also represents some 40,000 international artists in the Australasian territory.

Indigenous artists and organisations interested in participating in a free copyright education workshop should contact Viscopy by telephoning 02 9310 2018.

12 November 2009

Virginia Judge MP addressed a large crowd of artists and leading figures from the creative industries when she launched Blackfriars off Broadway, Viscopy's new Sydney exhibition space for artists on Tuesday 10 November.

It is estimated that over 200 people attended the opening event of the inaugural exhibition, Cache which features work by 14 artists from every state and territory in Australia. Included in the show are several famous names such as Tracey Moffatt and Janet Laurence as well as up and coming artists such as Kim Yong Hun and Eva Marosy-Weide.

In her address, the Minister expressed the government's support for the visual arts and recognition of the importance of artists' rights. She said: "Intellectual property rights enable artists to receive the recognition and financial reward their creativity deserves. It is a sad reality that approximately 50% of artists in Australia struggle to earn more than $8,000 a year from their art. The royalties Viscopy collects on behalf of these artists provide a vital source of additional income".

One of the highlights of the evening was the Minister's announcement of a new annual prize for artists. The John Fries Memorial Prize will award the winning artist a $10,000 cash prize plus a solo exhibition at Blackfriars off Broadway.

Virginia Judge said that she was "delighted" to announce the new opportunity for artists to receive such a career boost: "This annual prize will be open to all artists in Australia who have not yet secured recognition through a commercial gallery. Artists of all ages and disciplines, whether members of Viscopy or not, will be eligible to enter" said the Minister.

The prize remembers John Fries, who died suddenly following an accident earlier this year. John served on the Viscopy board of directors for 5 years and made a remarkable contribution to the life and success of the organisation. The cash prize has been donated by the Fries family. Speaking on behalf of the family John's daughter Kath Fries, herself an artist, said :

"My father was always supportive of my work and through his work with Viscopy he really understood the financial challenges that face artists. I think he would be very proud of this award and the opportunity it presents for the winners to significantly advance their careers."

Entries will open in April next year and the winner will be announced at an exhibition of finalists' work in October 2010.

The opening event at Blackfriars off Broadway also featured a live blindfold piano performance by the legendary Domenico de Clario which was dedicated to Sydney curator Nick Waterlow following his recent and sudden death.

28 August 2008

The Viscopy Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that Joanna Cave has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Viscopy. Viscopy is the rights management society in Australia and New Zealand representing over 7000 artists, almost half of whom are indigenous.

Cave joins Viscopy after eight years as Chief Executive of the equivalent organisation in the UK, DACS, where she played a crucial role in arguing for the acceptance and introduction of the Artist's Resale Right. The right entitles artists to a royalty whenever their work changes hands through a gallery or auction house. Despite strong opposition to the introduction of the Right, its implementation in the UK has been extremely successful, delivering genuine benefits to artists without harming the art market.

Cave's arrival at Viscopy is timely as both the governments of Australia and New Zealand are currently considering whether or not to implement Artist's Resale Right.

Viscopy's Chair, Michael Keighery said "Jo's unique blend of knowledge and experience made her an ideal choice for this important position. She combines skills in management with a real understanding of the challenges faced by artists making her an ideal choice to take Viscopy forward into a new and dynamic chapter."

Brett Cottle, Chair of CISAC (international confederation of societies of authors and composers) and Chief Executive of Australian music rights society APRA said: "Jo has built a very impressive reputation in the UK and internationally. Her appointment by Viscopy is terrific news for artists in Australia and New Zealand".

Joanna Cave commented: "It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead an organisation such as Viscopy which has an essential part to play in ensuring the governments of Australia and New Zealand do the right thing for their artists. The Artist's Resale Right is hugely important not least for indigenous artists, many of whom continue to be poorly rewarded for their work, despite its popularity throughout the world".

Next month, Joanna Cave will be attending meetings in Sydney, Canberra and Auckland to discuss the Artist's Resale Right with key stakeholders. She is available for media interviews between 8 and 17 September. Joanna Cave takes up her post at Viscopy in February 2009.