Making a Will

“When artists die they leave behind an archaeology, which is of value both as evidence of a particular life and also of a people, a time and a place. In order for this archaeology neither to remain buried nor be looted by treasure hunters, safe keeping places and guardians must be predetermined by its creators. And so we come to the practicality of how artists should manage their estates..." excerpt from Where there is a Will…

As an artist, you need to be aware of the range of options available to you in dealing with your work during your lifetime, and how to make a will so that you can be confident that your life's work is dealt with according to your wishes after your death.

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NAVA Resources
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Where There’s a Will... Estate Planning for Artists. Published by the Arts Law Centre of Australia and NAVA, 2004.55 pages. ISBN 0 9587757 7 X.
Download the document (1.08 MB)

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 Other Resources
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For more information on making a bequest in your will see Bequests published by the Australia Council, 1993.

Sample will for Indigenous Artists by Arts Law, find out more here.

Make a Donation to NAVA

You can make a donation to NAVA in your will. All donations received are used to continue NAVA's work on behalf of the Australian visual arts and craft.

Make a Donation to the Australian Visual Artists Benevolent Fund

You can make a donation to the AVABF. Donations are used to assist artists in dire need. See the website section on grants and prizes for more information about the Fund. Where There's A Will has a sample artists' will which includes suggested wording for making bequests.

To donate please go here and select the fund you would like to donate to from the drop down menu.

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  Useful links
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• Arts Law
• Australia Council
• CPA Australia
• Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Cultural Gifts Program
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
• Philanthropy Australia
• Redfern Legal Centre Publishing
• Viscopy

Office of the Public Trustees: 

• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• Victoria