The <i>Rock Art Database</i> (RADB) is a virtual organisation that aims to build a global rock art community. It brings together rock art enthusiasts and professionals from around the world in one centralized location through the deployed publicly available <i>RADB Management System</i>. This online platform allows users to share, manage and discuss rock art information and offers a new look at rock art data through the use of new technologies in rich media formats. Full access to the growing platform is currently only available for a selected group of users but it already links over 200 rock art projects around the globe. <br><br> This paper forms a part of the larger <i>Rock Art Database</i> (RADB) project. It discusses the design stage of the <i>RADB System</i> and the development of a conceptual <i>RADB Reference Model</i> (RARM) that is used to inform the design of the <i>Rock Art Database Management System</i>. It examines the success and failure of international and national systems and uses the Australian heritage sector and Australian rock art as a test model to develop a method for the <i>RADB System</i> design. The system aims to help improve rock art management by introducing the CIDOC CRM in conjunction with a rock art specific domain model. It seeks to improve data compatibility and data sharing to help with the integration of a variety of resources to create the global <i>Rock Art Database Management System</i>.