Arts Law is Australia’s independent national community legal centre for the arts, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. We provide free or low cost specialised legal advice, education and resources to Australian artists and arts organisations across all art forms, on a wide range of arts related legal and business matters. Arts Law’s Artists in the Black program delivers targeted services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists nationally.
Empower artists and creative communities through the law.
Arts Law aspires to be widely recognised as the trusted source of advice for artists and creative communities and as the preeminent authority on artists’ rights and arts law in Australia.
In delivering our vision, Arts Law is guided by the values of excellence, accessibility, empowerment of artists, integrity, collaboration and innovation.
Arts Law provides legal advice and information on a wide range of arts related legal and business matters including contracts, copyright, business structures, defamation, insurance, employment and taxation to artists and arts organisations across all art forms.
Arts Law’s team of 11 staff is led by Robyn Ayres as CEO. Its Board of six directors, comprising expert legal, business and arts practitioners, is led by The Honourable Justice John Robertson Sackar, as President.
The work of Arts Law continues to be made possible with significant assistance from 240 pro bono legal practitioners located in all Australian States and Territories and a group of daytime volunteers, including law and other students, law graduates and qualified lawyers.
The Australia Council is the major funder of Arts Law, having funded its core activities since 1984. The Australia Council together with all State and Territory governments through their arts agencies (Arts NSW, Arts Qld, Creative Victoria, DoAM NT, DCA WA, Arts ACT, Arts Tas, Arts SA) have signed a National Funding Agreement with Arts Law. Funding support is also received from Department of Aboriginal Affairs WA and Film Victoria. Arts Law also receives support from non-government agencies Copyright Agency and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia, and from LexisNexis.
