ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on craft as a creative industry in Australia, paying particular attention to First Nations art and craft and its role in the Australian craft sector. The chapter begins with a discussion of First Nations arts and crafts, and how it came to prominence during the 1980s through the Papunya Tula artists collective. Despite a seemingly successful transition into the fine art market, there remain significant challenges for First Nations arts and craftspeople, particularly relating to labour exploitation and copyright infringement. The chapter also includes a discussion of the creative industries and cultural policy context in Australia, including the development of Aboriginal art centres, an important route to market for First nations artists and craftspeople. This still operates separately to the contemporary craft sector in Australia, which is largely homogenous in the demographics of its workforce, customers and aesthetics of what is being made. The chapter finishes with case studies of two socially engaged craft organisations in Australia, highlighting their practices for fostering inclusion and belonging for participants. These organisations managed to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to their development of multiple income streams.
