List of Australian Indigenous art movements and cooperatives

Australian Indigenous art movements and cooperatives have been central to the emergence of Indigenous Australian art. Whereas many western artists pursue formal training and work as individuals, most contemporary Indigenous art is created in community groups and art centres.

The following external sites are links to some of the Aboriginal-owned and -operated art cooperatives. These cooperatives reflect the diversity of art across Indigenous Australia from the north west region where oscachre is significantly used; to the tropical north where the use of cross-hatching prevails; to the Papunya style of art from the central desert cooperatives. Art is increasingly becoming a significant source of income and livelihood for some of these communities.

Peak groups

These are organisations that represent, or include, a number of Indigenous art cooperatives.

• Aboriginal Art Organisation
• ANKAAA: Association of Northern, Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists - peak advocacy and support agency
• Desart: Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Centres

Indigenous art movements and cooperatives

There is a wide range of art centres. They are all Indigenous-owned and/or controlled and are all not-for-profit organisations or, in a few cases, companies owned by the artists (Papunya Tula; Jirrawun Arts). The oldest is Ernabella Arts, formed in 1948. The largest by sales in 2006 were Papunya Tula and Warlayirti.

Name of centre	Location or nearest town	Year established	Major artists associated with centre
Aboriginal Australia Art and Culture Centre	Alice Springs, Northern Territory	1973
Bima Wear	Nguiu, Bathurst Island, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory	1969
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative	Sydney, NSW	1987	Bronwyn Bancroft, Michael Riley, Harry Wedge
Bula'Bula Arts	Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory	1990
Elcho Island Art and Craft	Elcho Island, Northern Territory	1992
Ernabella Arts	Uluru, Northern Territory	1948
Hermannsburg Potters	Hermannsburg, Northern Territory	not known
Ikuntji	Haast's Bluff, NT	1992	Daisy Jugadai Napaltjarri, Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri
Injalak Arts	Gunbalanya, Northern Territory	1989	Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, Jimmy Namarnyilk, England Banggala, Glen Namundja, Graham Badari, Gabriel Maralngurra, Isaiah Nagurrgurrba
Irrunytju Arts	not known	not known	Yannima Tommy Watson
Iwantja Arts	Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, South Australia	1995
Jirrawun Arts	Wyndham, Western Australia	not known	Paddy Bedford, Freddy Timms
Keringke Arts	Santa Teresa, Northern Territory	1989
Mangkaja	Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia	early 1980s
Maningrida Arts	Maningrida, Northern Territory	not known	John Mawurndjul
Maruku Arts	Uluru, Northern Territory	1984
Mimi Arts	Katherine, Northern Territory	not known	Bill Yidumduma Harney
Papunya Tula	Northern Territory	1972	Anatjari Tjakamarra, Eileen Napaltjarri, Tjunkiya Napaltjarri, Makinti Napanangka, Pansy Napangardi, Timmy Payungka Tjapangati, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Doreen Reid Nakamarra, Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri
ProppaNOW	Brisbane, Queensland	2002	Richard Bell
Titjikala	Titjikala, Northern Territory	not known
Tjanpi Aboriginal Baskets - Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjarra Yankunytjatjara Women's Council	Central Australia (Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia)	1995
Tiwi Designs	Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory	1968
Tiwi Island Artists	Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory	1998
Utopia	Alice Springs, Northern Territory	1985	Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle, Gloria Petyarre, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Lena Pwerle, Greeny Purvis Petyarre, Betty Mbitjana, Jeannie Mills Pwerle, Abie Loy Kemarre, Kathleen Petyarre
Waralungku Arts	Boroloola, Northern Territory	2003
Warlukurlangu Artists	Yuendumu, Northern Territory	1985	Sheila Brown Napaljarri, Helen Nelson Napaljarri, Norah Nelson Napaljarri, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Liddy Walker, Dorothy Napangardi, Paddy Japanangka Lewis, Paddy Japaljarri Sims, Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels
Warmun Art Centre	Warmun (Turkey Creek, Western Australia)	1998	Shirley Purdie
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts	Kununurra, Western Australia	early 1980s
Warlayirti Artists	Balgo, Western Australia	1987	Susie Bootja Bootja Napaltjarri, Takariya Napaltjarri, Topsy Gibson Napaljarri
Yirrkala (Buku-Larrngay Arts)	Yirrkala, Northern Territory	not known