Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• Helen Bowman
• Alan Constable
• "Commonwealth of Australia (2019) Key Results of the 2018 Public Consultation: National Arts and Disability Strategy. Canberra: An initiative of the Meeting of Cultural Ministers"
  Reads, in part "Between 24 September and 3 December 2018, people shared their stories and ideas about arts and disability in Australia. The Meeting of Cultural Ministers asked to hear these ideas and stories. The Meeting of Cultural Ministers is made up of the Cultural Ministers from the Australian Government and state and territory governments. The statistics in the report all come from the online survey. These ideas and stories will help Ministers to make a new National Arts and Disability Strategy.
• “Demonstrators protest inadequate funding for disability support in Adelaide, 1992”
  On the 13th March, 1992, 100 demonstrators gathered in Adelaide to protest inadequate funding for disability support. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services Brian Howe was “heckled” by the group outside an event at Jubilee Hall during a health care expo. Howe agreed later that year to “honour a federal government promise to expand the National Attendant Care Scheme,” that is, after another demonstration by 70 advocates outside Parliament House.
• "Kevin Byrne AM leads protest outside Parliament House"
  The activist Kevin Byrne AM led a protest outside Parliament House. This coupled with the release of the Richmond Report led to the Hawke Government’s Handicapped Programs Review, which in turn led ‘New Directions: Report of the Handicapped Programs Review’.
• Arts Access Australia
• “Arts Access Victoria – How it all began! (1974-1979)”
  Arts Access Victoria – How it all began! (1974-1979) started in Melbourne in 1974 by Judy Morton with funding from the Australia Council for the Arts with art and theatre workshops in institutions but intermittent funding meant AAV stopped at times but state government funding in 1979 allowed long term planning.
• "Accessible Arts - NSW Arts and Disability Partnership - Promotion Card"
  Accessible Arts - NSW Arts and Disability Partnership - Promotion Card - reads, in part "The NSW Government has committed $1.5 million to increase access to arts and cultural activities for people with a disability."
• “The arts sector is forced to adapt in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns”
  Government-enforced lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic saw arts events cancelled and disability arts organisations temporarily close physical premises as social distancing rules came into play. While Coronavirus 19 restricted social contact, there were some benefits that arose such as increased digital access for social connection, online ordering accessible via screen readers and home delivery, virtual tours of art galleries, online choirs, and telehealth appointments.
• "Arts Access Victoria established in 1973 and provides valuable resources and conferences throughout the decades"
  In 1973, Judy Morton successfully applied for funding to start a 6-month pilot program and Arts Access Victoria was established the following year. However, due to lack of government funding and despite public appeal, programs were suspended in 1977. Fortunately, operation resumed in 1979 and AAV was formally constituted with a small School Commission fund as Arts Access Society Inc. Arts Access Victoria had both organisational and financial growth in the mid to late 1980s. This led to a diversification of arts projects and the beginning of long-term artistic programs which remain as the core programs of AAV. Arts workshops also began in regional Victoria during this time. In 1988, Arts Access was approached to run a national conference focusing on the arts and disability. Two years later, they convened P-art-ICIPATE '90 and subsequently published ‘P-art-ICIPATE '90: a conference report’. They also published ‘Inner Words Outer Spaces’, edited by Bev Roberts (1995), ‘Arts Alive: An Information Leaflet about the Ways the Arts Can Work for Older People’ (1995), ‘Accessible Theatresports’ (1996), and Bev Roberts's ‘Work Guide: How to Establish an Artist in Community Project’ (1996). In 1998, Arts Access (Victoria) assumed responsibility for its own financial management and administration. In 1999, Arts Access Victoria presented Verve!, a national symposium on arts and disability.
• Petra Kuppers
• “In 2014, the Australia Council introduces its first grant specifically for artists with disabilities”
  In 2014, the Australia Council introduces its first grant specifically for artists with disabilities. Then Australia Council CEO Tony Grybowski announced “the Artists with Disability Pilot Program; the Council’s Disability Action Plan for 2014-2016; and additional funding for Arts Access Australia to increase career development and employment opportunities for artists with disability.” The pilot program granted $300,000 to disabled artists to develop and present their work. Following this, the program was extended for another three years. The “million dollar investment” would “provide development grants of up to $25,000 and project grants of up to $50,000 for individuals and groups.” That same year, the Australia Council received its first ever grant application in Australian Sign Language (Auslan). However, in 2019, Australia Council ended its dedicated funding program for disabled artists and replaced it with the National Arts and Disability Awards.
• "Morwenna Collett, Gill Nicol (2024) Building Strong Foundations: Research on arts and disability needs and opportunities, Creative Australia, 2024."
  "This report is a summary of an arts and disability needs and audit conducted in 2023 for Creative Australia. Through desktop research and consultation with d/Deaf and disabled artists and creative workers, peak bodies and broader arts and cultural organisations, this research provides insights into needs and opportunities in the arts and disability ecology in Australia."
• Restless Dance Company
• Restless Dance Theatre
• “Arts Access Victoria – Annual Report 1994”
• Lyndsay Mason
• "The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust begins operations in 1954"
  The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust began operations in 1954. The key role of the trust was to support the arts in Australia leading to the independent companies of: Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet Foundation, National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and Bell Shakespeare Company. At this time there was little involvement of people with disabilities in the arts.
• Incite Arts
• "Interview with Luke Cambpell and Kelly Drummond Cawthon"
  Luke Campbell is a theatre performer, writer and director and has been with Second Echo since 2015. Interview Summary In the interview Luke Campbell and Kelly Drummond Cawthon from Second Echo Ensemble share insights into their creative processes and the significance of their work. Luke, a core artist for the ensemble, emphasizes the role of deep listening and communication in his art, comparing his work to a meditative exploration of sound and connection, akin to the themes in the movie "Avatar." Kelly, as the ensemble's creative director, highlights the importance of presenting their work across diverse platforms to reach broader audiences and foster inclusive discussions. Throughout the conversation, they express views on the challenges and perceptions surrounding disability arts, advocating for recognition of diverse voices and stories in the arts community.
• “Australia Council start development of Code of Conduct for Access in The Arts”
  Australia Council started development of Code of Conduct for Access in The Arts. Consultation took place in 2021-2022.
• "Accessible Arts - Annual Report 2010"
  Accessible Arts - Annual Report 2010 - Overview, Rewarding Excellence, Skills Development, Policy and Research, Providing a Service
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 2009-10"
  Australia Council Annual Report 2009-2010 – discusses year in review, letter from chairman, vision, list of council staff, message from the CEO, Strategic priorities, funding overview, statement of outcome, about the Australia Council including governance, boards, organisation, accountability, workplace; financial review and discussion of the Commonwealth Disability Strategy with how the Disability Action Plan 2008–2010 addresses Australia Council roles of policy adviser, purchaser, provider and employer.
• "Interview with Astrid Edwards"
  Astrid Edwards is a writer, publisher, lecturer, podcast host and disability advocate. Interview Summary Astrid Edwards, a former teacher and policy consultant, discusses in the interview how she pivoted her career towards writing and literature after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 32, inspiring her to focus on work she loves. Astrid talks about writing at RMIT University, working with a diverse cohort of students, (many of whom have disabilities or are writing about trauma), which she finds rewarding. Though her work includes advocacy roles and a focus on disability, she does not wish to be defined solely by her illness, emphasizing the importance of allowing disabled individuals the freedom to explore and create beyond their disabilities. Currently, Astrid says she is a judge for the Stella Prize and discusses exploring a potential PhD about publishing and climate fiction, expressing a passion for addressing climate change within her work.
• Amanda Cachia