They focus on community rather than the art market: family connection, along with activities that celebrate Aboriginal and help to protect culture.
The Association continues to lobby and inform governments on behalf of its members on a range of matters, including the future direction and development of the arts (particularly Indigenous); codes of conduct, and resale royalties.
[10] In April 2022 Philip Watkins, CEO of Desart, was appointed for a three year term to the board of the Australia Council, the chief arts funding body of the federal government.
[8] Desart also runs "Desert Mob", an annual event occurring each September or October that includes an exhibition in Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs),[10] the Desert Mob Symposium, a marketplace, demonstrations, and other events such as workshops and visits to studios and art centres.
[15] The 32nd edition of Desert Mob in 2023 included artwork from 35 art centres,[16] curated by Hetti Kemarr Perkins and Aspen Nampin Beattie.
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).