There is a domestic and international demand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance is working to establish a brokering service to link artists and design students from across Australia with manufacturers to design products for the world stage.

The Design strategy will be an integrated employment and training initiative aimed at ‘closing the gap’ in the region’s Aboriginal communities by establishing home-based art and design businesses. These home-based businesses will overcome traditional barriers to employment, such as child-care and transport as artists will be trained to conduct business from home.

A focus on licensing and royalties will ensure the rights of artists/students are protected.

Certificate IV courses in Aboriginal Design (CUV40303, TAFE NSW Course 19233) have been running in two locations (Forster and Lismore) through the North Coast Institute of TAFE since February 2010. 12 of the best students have recently returned from a study tour in Vietnam studying manufacturing processes.