Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "Focus on Ability, Short Film Festival winners list 2021"
  Focus on Ability Short Film Festival, captured 2025 - webpage listing 2021 award winners - Includes AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL SECTION (St Matthews Catholic School (NSW) - The Monsters of the Mind; Al-Taqwa College (VIC) - Optism: A Tale of Unbreakable Friendship) AUSTRALIAN OPEN ENTRANTS (The Sunshine Troupe (QLD) – Luminosity; Alex Sideratos (NSW) - More to Me; Clay Antonio (VIC) - Life Without Mum; Tina A.Wake (NSW) - I'm Super; Ian Heydon in What's in a Name; Michael Wilkop - The Robot; Nathan Mewett & Chris Taylor - Yulubidyu - Until the End)
• "Focus on Ability, Short Film Festival winners list 2020"
  Focus on Ability Short Film Festival, captured 2025 - webpage listing 2020 award winners - includes IAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL SECTION (Yarraville Special Developmental School (VIC) - ' I Am (Also) Robot'; Al-Taqwa College (VIC) - Ammar's Wonderful World of Dyslexia; Anxiety Holds Me Captive - Taylah Bell), AUSTRALIAN OPEN ENTRANTS (Zoe Fraser - A Gift; The Brilliant Production Team – Brilliant; Isaac Doman - I'm Still Me; Sebastian Youssef - My Brother Sam; Vanessa Star - One Size Fits All; Zoe Fraser - A Gift; Jared Hargreaves - The Girl; Sally Newman - Heart Strings)
• “Australia Council - Grants, captured 1997”
  Australia Council (Creative Australia) grants captured December 1997. Website reads “extracted from the Australia Council Grants Handbook 1997” and includes Grant Categories: an Overview, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board, Community Cultural Development Fund, Dance Fund, Literature Fund, Major Organisations Fund, Music Fund, New Media Arts Fund, Theatre Fund, Visual Arts/Craft Fund, Awards
• "Accessible Arts - Creative Initiatives, captured 2022"
  Accessible Arts - Creative Initiatives - reads, in part "The unique perspectives and experiences of artists with disability – as well as the intersection of cultural identities across all types of disability – present exciting avenues for new artistic possibilities right across the spectrum of visual, performing, literary, screen and digital arts. We’re here to work with arts and cultural organisations, government agencies and other funding partners to deliver creative initiatives focused on providing development and production opportunities for all kinds of artists with disability or who are d/Deaf."
• "Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre - Blog captured 2019"
  Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre Website, captured 2019 - News (French Cafe community dance project, 'Share House' plays at Brisbane Anywhere Festival May, Sprung!! makes finals for an Australian Dance Award, Sprung!! Appoints a new Business Manager)
• “The national tour of the exhibition BodySuits results in commissions and new opportunities for artists”
  A visual arts exhibition, BodySuits, toured nationally between 1997 and 1999. It was curated by Jane Trengove. This resulted in commissions and new opportunities for artists. Arts Access Victoria published a catalogue for the exhibition in 1997; the exhibition showed in Melbourne from 5 July - 2 August 1997 at 200 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy (a location now known as Gertrude Contemporary).
• “Advocates fight for accessible public transport”
  In 1994, Maurice Corcoran (a wheelchair user) lodged a complaint about the South Australian government ordering 50 new buses that were not accessible. The Australian Human Rights Commission successfully negotiated for all new buses to be fitted with ramps. Then, in 1999, a protest about the lack of public transport options for people with disability saw Citizens for Accessible Public Transport block traffic in Sydney’s city centre.
• “The 2010s sees numerous new disability performing arts companies established”
  The 2010s saw the establishment of several new disability performing arts companies and collectives, both professional and community-based, across the country: Beyond the Square (NSW, 2011), ‘stArts with a D’ Performance Ensemble (NT, 2011), Theatre on Wheels (VIC, 2011), Can You See Me? Theatre (NSW, 2012), Company AT (SA, 2012), Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre (NSW, 2013), Screech Arts (QLD, 2014), IndelibilityArts (QLD, 2015), AHA Ensemble (QLD, 2015), Murmuration (NSW, 2015), Raspberry Ripple (VIC, 2015), Deafferent Theatre (VIC, 2016).
• “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.
• “The Australian Government launches a new national cultural policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place”
  The Australian Government launched a new national cultural policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place. Revive comprises 5 pillars: First Nations First, A Place for Every Story, Centrality of the Artist, Strong Cultural Infrastructure, and Engaging the Audience. The policy allocates $5 million for an Arts and Disability Associated Plan, under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–31 “to enable people with disability to access and participate fully in the cultural and creative life of Australia.” This replaces the National Arts and Disability Strategy.
• “Screen Australia launches an access coordinator training program”
  Screen Australia launched an access coordinator training program in 2023. “The Access Coordinator role is intended for people from the Deaf/Disabled and/or Neurodivergent (DDN) communities who are committed to improving disability representation and removing barriers to inclusion.” Screen Australia partnered with the following organisations for the initiative: the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, VicScreen, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen ACT, Screen NSW, and the Australian Film Television Radio School.
• "Bree Hadley, Eddie Paterson, Madeleine Little, Kath Duncan (2024) How Disability Performance Travels in Australia: The Reality Under the Rhetoric. In Czymoch, Christiane, Maguire Rossier, Kate, & Schmidt, Yvonne (Eds.) How Does Disability Performance Travel?: Access, Art, and Internationalization. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, pp. 62-76.”
  "The last three decades has witnessed the development of a distinct narrative about how disability performance has become a much celebrated component of the Australian theatre landscape. A central aspect of this narrative is the critical importance of festivals, events, and other industry initiatives that allow disabled performers to travel - both conceptually and corporeally - to meet and be mentored by other artists, and to present their work to new and more mainstream audiences, in new spaces and places, around the country, and around the world. In this chapter, we draw on historical data, collected as part of an AusStage ARC LIEF project designed to database information about disability drama, theatre, performance, and dance over the past 100 years, as well as the Last Avant Garde ARC Linkage project on disability performance in Australia, to unpack areas where the reality seems to challenge some of the dominant rhetoric."
• "Australia Council for the Arts (2018) Arts and Disability a Priority as Australia Council Commits Significant New Funding. 24 September 2018."
  Reads, in part "The Australia Council has committed $750k over three years to support sustainable careers and to recognise the artistic excellence of artists with disability."
• "Katie Ellis, Gerard Goggin, Beth Haller, Rosemary Curtis ed. (2019) Routledge Companion to Disability and Media. London & New York: Routledge."
  Reads, in part "An authoritative and indispensable guide to disability and media, this thoughtfully curated collection features varied and provocative contributions from distinguished scholars globally, alongside next-generation research leaders."
• "Katie Ellis, Tama Leaver, Mike Kent, M, eds. (2023). Gaming Disability: Disability Perspectives on Contemporary Video Games. London and New York: Routledge."
  This book explores the opportunities and challenges people with disabilities experience in the context of digital games from the perspective of three related areas: representation, access and inclusion, and community. Drawing on key concerns in disability media studies, the book brings together scholars from disability studies and game studies, alongside game developers, educators, and disability rights activists, to reflect upon the increasing visibility of disabled characters in digital games.
• "Bree Hadley (2007) Review - Mirage, by Igneous, Australian Stage Online"
  Reads, in part "In Mirage, a performance installation by Brisbane-based multimedia company Igneous, dancer James Cunningham uses a combination of dance and data projection to draw the audience into a strange new perceptual space, in which body parts can be transposed, twinned and mirrored, providing new capacity for movement in the face of challenges to a body’s conventional structure and integrity. The work, like Cunningham’s previous collaboration with multimedia artist Suzon Fuks on The Body in Question (1999), is based on Cunningham’s experience after a motorcycle accident in 1992 left him paralysed in his left arm. Both works touch on the perceptions and realities of the human body as it reacts, recovers and rediscovers its potentialities in the wake of injury"
• “Arts Access Victoria - Arts Access Society Inc. - Access Newsletter July 1992”
  Arts Access Arts Access Society Access Newsletter July 1992 - Caloola Winter Solstice Festival, establishment of Arts Access Trust, Arts Access staff changes, Senior Citizens' exhibition “Hidden Treasures”, new program - Werribee Youth Arts, DADAA national body update, P-art-ICIPATE 1992, “Stormy Weather” touring art exhibition pieces purchased for international collection, Touch, hear, see - Blind, visually impaired and sighted people can touch, hear or view, six classical European paintings, integrated band Big Bag's new CD, “Dolly”, Community Arts Network new location, resource centre update, membership.
• "The Other Film Festival Program 2004"
  The Other Film Festival Program 2004 - Australian work screened includes CALLAHAN: HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT D: Liz O'dea Documentary, 26 Min, Aust, 2001; D-TUNE: MOTIF 1 D: Katherine Chinnick & Tony Nirta, Animation, 5 Min, Aust, 2004; PART ANIMAL, PART MACHINE D: Warren Macdonald, Documentary, 20 Min, Aust, 2003; THE WORLD REALLY IS W… D: Kim Miles, Experimental, 6 Min, Aust, 2003; THE COMPANY YOU KEEP D: Lucy Paplinska, Documentary, 28 Min, Aust, 2003; UNTOLD DESIRES D: Sarah Barton, Documentary, 52 Min, Aust, 1994; BIRD from Art Day South Program, Fiction, 6 Min, Aust, 2001. Australian work screend in the ‘The Other Program’, described as “Screening films by Australia’s new, emerging and independent filmmakers and featuring Q&A sessions,” Australian work screened includes THE ABILITY TREK from Guiness Entertainment, 8TH OF MAY from Winfred Kwan Weng Fook, JAM from Lee Galea, WHEEL LOVE from Emma Butler, THE DANCE from Bee Williamson, THEATRE OF HOPE from City of Port Phillip, 12 WAYS TO OPEN A DOOR from Theatre of Speed/ Back to Back Theatre, A DAY IN THE LIFE from No Strings Attached, EXIT Q from Phil Heuzenroeder, THE JOB from David King, IN THEORY from Remo Camerot, THE TOY TUB from Telen Rodwell, THE GOODLOOKING FILM from Art Day South, STAR STREET from The Geelong Arts Alliance, FUTURE FILMS from Yum Productions, BLACK DANCE and MILES TO GO from Tony Sarre, THROUGH MY EYES from Lisa Warne, EACH NEW MORNING from Alycia Johnston, TEAMHANDCYCLE, A FISTFUL OF HEART, and SIZE 9(RIGHT) from Bernzerk Productions.
• New South Wales Writers Centre
• "Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre - Dis-Coball"
  Page reads, in part "Dis-Co Ball is Sprung’s new annual disability community ball, bringing people together for an evening of unashamed joyous dancing, inspired by and featuring our Community Artists."
• "Accessible Arts - Into the Light 1994 - The Major Cultural Function for the World Assembly"
  Accessible Arts - Into the Light 1994 - The Major Cultural Function for the World Assembly - reads, in part "Self determination is of critical significance if stereotypes are to be challenged. Into the Light wil highlight the creative expression of people with and without disablities working together as equals, to explore new artistic dimensions. Pioneering new concepts in dance, theatre and music this performance event will illustrate how creative interaction changes opinion and expands opportunities."
• "Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression - Helen Meekosha - Article: Challenging Disabling Images - 1994 - Iss9, Pg21pdf"
  Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression - Helen Meekosha - Article: Challenging Disabling Images - 1994 - Iss9, Pg21 - reads, in part "A new national research project has been set up to explore ways in which images of disability are created and used in the mass media"
• "Tutti Arts - Tutti Voice Newsletter February 2009"
  Tutti Arts - Tutti Voice Newsletter February 2009 - "A new year, a new creative opportunity. Welcome to 2009 and the new look Tutti newsletter where we remember the highlights of 2008 and alert you to two exciting events coming up in the near future. The official launch of Tutti Kids in partnership with Novita Children's Services by the Honourable Jennifer Rankine, Minister for Disability, is on February 14th at the Odeon Theatre. In March, Tutti presents the Australian premiere of Richard Chew and Orlando Gough's radical community opera The Shouting Fence at the State Opera Studio for the Adelaide International Fringe Festival."
• "Tutti Arts - Visual Arts, Design and New Media Program Exhibition - Promotional Card"
  Tutti Arts - Visual Arts, Design and New Media Program Exhibition 2011 - Promotional Card
• "Meet Our New Artistic Program Director"
  Announcement of new Artistic Program Director of Arts in Action, South Australia, Susan Maley, in 2003