Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to develop and apply knowledge of cultural arts within a specific Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander context. As such, the unit includes a focus on the scope and nature of local Indigenous arts practice, its cultural and economic significance, and marketing and distribution issues.

The local cultural knowledge necessary to achieve competency in this unit may only be accessible to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. This unit also recognises that there is no single Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture.

This unit deals with complex and interrelated elements of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultures which are the cultural and intellectual properties of specific communities. These may only be interpreted by appropriate persons, e.g. those recognised by the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community as an Elder or custodian of local cultural knowledge.

Any organisation or individual planning to train or assess this unit would be expected to work closely with the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, for example through establishing a local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander reference group. In particular, it is vital to ensure respectful integration of any local cultural knowledge or protocols that will inform the implementation of the unit.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Prerequisite units 

This unit has linkages to a range of other units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

• marketing and small business units
• units related to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture or identity.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Source and apply information on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts .

1.1 Identify and access relevant sources of information  on cultural  arts within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities in a culturally appropriate way, including information on:

• scope and nature  of arts practice within communities
• cultural significance
• economic significance
• marketing and distribution issues 

1.2 Conduct arts practice in a manner which takes account of relevant cultural protocols.

2 Liaise with stakeholders .

2.1 Correctly identify individuals and networks used in the context of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts, both internal and external to the community.

2.2 Use knowledge of networks to enhance the quality of work practices.

2.3 Integrate cultural protocols  into all communication and business practices.

3 Update and maintain knowledge of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts .

3.1 Identify and use relevant opportunities to update knowledge  of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts.

3.2 Share updated knowledge with colleagues as appropriate, and incorporate into day-to-day work activities.

Required Skills and knowledge 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills :

• marketing and distribution mechanisms specific to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artworks including networks and relevant organisations
• cultural protocols within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander arts practice.

Required knowledge :

• ways in which cultural arts practice may operate within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, including various community structures and approaches
• scope of the different types of cultural art practice found within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities
• traditional law, ways in which traditional economies operated and their link to contemporary cultural arts.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• knowledge of the context and structure of cultural arts within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities (relevant to specific community context)
• application of knowledge to particular aspects of arts practice in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander context.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment must provide for:

• involvement of persons approved of by Elders of the relevant local community in the assessment process.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• project to research arts practice within own community
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of cultural arts within an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander context
• review of portfolios of evidence
• third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment of this unit requires access to sources of information on cultural arts within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information  on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts may include:

• community arts organisations
• directories or other references
• funding bodies
• government agencies
• land councils
• local communities
• practising artists.

Cultural  and economic significance of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander arts practice may relate to:

• link between the arts and other areas of economic activity, e.g. tourism
• positive local community impacts
• role of the arts within community development
• statistical data.

Scope and nature  of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander arts practice may relate to:

• significance of cultural arts within a given community
• types of work
• ways in which artworks are promoted/distributed.

Marketing and distribution issues  may relate to:

• copyright issues surrounding promotion of work
• cultural protocols to be observed
• different markets for artworks
• ethical issues
• typical distribution channels.

Protocols  governing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts may relate to:

• access to information
• culturally appropriate forms of promotion
• moral rights/intellectual property and/or copyright
• sharing of information.

Opportunities to update knowledge  may include:

• informal sharing of information
• multimedia
• participation in community networks
• review of references and other written materials
• seminars
• using electronic media (TV, radio).