Three decades of art, culture, and connection.
Inspired by leaders like Oxfam Trading Australia, the Fred Hollows Foundation, and Anita Roddick of The Body Shop, we began by working with traditional handicrafts from remote regions in Kashmir in 1991. In 1996 we were fortunate enough to make contact with Aboriginal artists who were open to joining our projects. After a short time we chose to focus on Aboriginal art reproduction alone and left general handicrafts to others doing great work, like Oxfam Trading (now very sadly disbanded).
Over these decades we have collaborated with artisans from, Peru, Tibetans in Nepal, Kashmir and many other parts of India. Our projects with Kashmir have sustained for the longest time and are as important to the community there as they are to the artists here in Australia. We also work with China with some of our manufactured products, bone china mugs and plates, candle holders and tea flasks. Our work with Kashmir has extended outside of the traditional handicrafts to printed stationery and clothing all with Aboriginal art designs. Other artisans across India also contribute up-cycled handmade paper items, knitted products, as well as artisanal timber and steel homewares.
Our mission is to unite traditional craft practices with the rich visual storytelling of Aboriginal artists from across Australia — from Tiwi to Central and Western Desert regions, rural and city locations. More recently, we’ve also begun working with non-Indigenous Australian artists whose work reflects iconic Australian themes.
Benefits to the artist & artisan
Artists benefit from royalties. Artisans generate family income.
Aboriginal artists are paid royalties on a monthly basis. An artist will very likely earn more from royalties, paid on a regular basis, than from the sale of the original painting or artwork.
Artisans benefit by having culturally sustaining work, they are able to generate an income by practising age old traditions in their own homes located in remote beautiful clean villages. Artisanal work makes the time between seasonal rural tasks economically productive. We have helped sustainable lives for artisans and we have paid artists millions of dollars over the last three decades.
Our mission
Connecting cultures, generating income for artists and artisans
Better World Arts produces and sources high-quality art and handicrafts using the traditional skills of artists and artisans. We work with people across the globe to showcase some of the best work from diverse cultures and ensure a fair distribution of profits.
Better World Arts recognise that culture is strengthened when traditional skills and lifestyles are valued and supported, and people are enabled to stay in their home communities. We create innovative products and business structures which support local communities culturally and economically and engage the global marketplace.
Better World Arts is promoting harmony, goodwill and economic links between communities across the globe whilst celebrating, supporting and sustaining the skills of artists and artisans from around the world.
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We work with IP belonging to artists and artisans. We protect this property with contracts and agreements, and take other steps like blocking our website for some countries. Artists own the images used and it is up to them regarding how it can be used. Artisan groups own the IP for various handicrafts which are indigenous to various regions and cultural groups. We contract with the owners of these various handicraft styles, rather than buying them from other sources outside. We find the quality is better and we are respecting the IP of the cultural groups.
OUR AWARDS
On occasion, we have entered, or been entered in and received awards.
- 2013 – Mark Butler Certificate of Honour
- 2008 – Telstra Business Awards, finalists in Social Responsibility
- 2008 – Telstra Business Awards, finalists in Micro Business
- 2007 – Ruby Awards (SA) Leadership in the Arts, finalist
- 2005 – Judges Encouragement Award in the Prime Minister’s community and Business Partnership Awards (with Kaltjiti Arts)
- 2003 – Upper Spencer Gulf Exporters Award, Community contribution section (with Katjiti Arts)
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Since we moved into publically accessible premises in Pt. Adelaide, we have created and been involved in many projects that bring additional benefits to artists and their families. We have worked with schools to enrol and maintain Aboriginal students, run driver education in Pitjantjatjara, a literacy program in conjunction with TAFE, immunisation programs, health checks, a free homoeopathic clinic, hospital support for artists and families, professional development workshops for artists and KESAB programs for families.
We have also worked with many community events, to give remote Aboriginal people the opportunity to engage with the wider community. We have done projects with WOMADealide, The Council for the Care of Children and Port Adelaide Football Club (Power Cup), the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, providing free tee-shirt and weaving workshops, and a number of other community arts and culture initiatives.