Better World Arts produces and sources high-quality art and handicrafts using the traditional skills of artists and craftspeople. 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 own communities. We aim to 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.
On occasion, we have entered, or been entered in and received awards.
2013 – Mark Butler Certificate of Honour2008 – Telstra Business Awards, finalists in Social Responsibility2008 – Telstra Business Awards, finalists in Micro Business2007 – Ruby Awards (SA) Leadership in the Arts, finalist2005 – 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)
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.
Artists benefit from royalties paid to them on a monthly basis. Art centres benefit from a substantial profit share paid on their investments.
Artisans benefit by having culturally appropriate opportunities, they are able to supplement rural income by practising age old traditions in their own homes located in remote beautiful clean villages. We have created sustainable lives for artisans and we have paid artists millions of dollars over the last decade alone.
We are members of the Fair Traders Association of Australia and New Zealand. Membership is a simple process of paying dues. The endorsement is a complex assessment of our operations and practice. Many of our suppliers are also endorsed Fair Traders.We are endorsed members of the Fair Traders Association of Australia and New Zealand. Membership is a simple process of paying dues. The endorsement is a complex assessment of our operations and practice. Many of our suppliers are also endorsed Fair Traders. Click here to know more
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.
PROJECTS & EVENTS
