Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "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.
• "Interview with Michael Hodyl"
  Michael Hodyl is a multifaceted artist, dancer and performer and has been with Restless Dance Theatre since 2018. Interview Summary Michael Hodyl, with Polish, Chinese, and Russian heritage, is a multifaceted artist who began his journey in the performing arts with a deep-rooted affinity for ballroom dancing. He transitioned into contemporary dance while maintaining his diverse dancing background and enjoys creating his own dance moves, which express his vibrant charisma and heritage. Facing challenges such as injuries, Michael finds ways to recuperate and return to dance, aiming to elicit happiness and pride from his audience through his performances. He cherishes the supportive friendships he's made in the arts community, holds his performances in high regard, and aspires to be recognized for his talents and hard work.
• "Interview with Nick Hughes"
  Nick has worked as an actor, director, writer, artistic director, dramaturg and was the Company Manager for Restless Dance Theatre Interview Summary Nick Hughes is a retired arts administrator who has worked in various capacities within the arts industry, including as an actor, writer, stage manager, and notably as the company manager for Restless Dance Theatre. Nick gained degrees in drama, and sociology, and moved from the UK to Australia in 1973. During the interview, Nick reflects on his significant contributions to the arts and disability sectors. Despite being unfamiliar with disability arts in the beginning, Nick says he became deeply involved and committed to the field, valuing disability arts for the social and political aspects. Nick discusses witnessing first-hand the growth and development of individuals through creative expression. Throughout his career, Nick says he has seen the evolution and increasing recognition of disability arts as a legitimate and powerful art form capable of altering people’s perceptions and advocating for inclusivity and equality in society.
• "Interview with Peter Vance"
  Peter Vance is a singer, songwriter, musician, performer, facilitator and disability arts advocate. Interview Summary: Peter Vance is a songwriter, performer, musician and singer. Peter suggested disability arts in the last 20 years has become more visible and popular reflecting a positive shift in how society views disability as part of the rich tapestry of human experience. This is reflected in how the arts now tell the stories of individuals with disabilities, not simply as artists with a disability, but as whole people whose varied experiences - visible and invisible - inform and enrich their creative expression. However, there are still challenges with funding and accessibility and ongoing struggles for recognition and support of disability art. Changes in how organisations operate to suit new funding such as the NDIS have potentially limited the spontaneity and personal touch that smaller, community-driven organizations once offered. Peter said it is essential to continue to push for better understanding, support, and visibility for people with all kinds of disabilities in every aspect of life, including the arts, to truly embrace inclusivity.
• "Interview with Pat Rix"
  Pat Rix is a Disability Ally and Social Change advocate, and the recently retired Founder and CEO of TUTTI ARTS Incorporated. Interview Summary Pat Rix is an Artistic Director who has made extraordinary and sustained contributions to Australia’s cultural life through her artistic practice and leadership. A significant arts contributor since 1985, Pat made her early mark through plays and music-theatre productions which drew attention to social injustice and championed social inclusion. Her journey in disability arts began in 1997 with the formation of an inclusive choir at Minda Inc. which in 2001 incorporated to become the independent multi arts organisation known as ‘Tutti’ - embodying the inclusive Italian term meaning ‘everyone’. At a time when there were no vocational pathways for learning disabled and neuro divergent people, Tutti became a national trailblazer in creating a work environment where learning disabled and neuro diverse artists could create visual art, theatre, music, film and experimental art in a way that authentically nurtured their professional growth and recognition. Pat stresses the importance of disabled artists having control over their work. She believes that art is inherently political, and that it is finding your voice, being heard and being taken seriously that contributes to any artist's success. Pat looks forward to the future evolution of disability arts and the role of technology in enabling disabled artists to develop local and global partnerships which continue to provide exciting opportunities for artistic development.
• "Interview with David Doyle"
  David Doyle is the Executive Director of DADAA and has spent over 30 years leading large-scale Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD) and arts projects globally and in Western Australia, significantly contributing to the arts and disability sectors through his work with DADAA and his dedication to community wellbeing and access to arts and culture. Interview Summary David Doyle, who originally trained in printmaking and ceramics with a background in community arts, has worked extensively in community arts and cultural development with a focus on addressing social issues through the arts. His experience with a disability from a young age and a deep understanding of power dynamics and privilege have influenced his motivation and commitment to disability arts in Australia. David highlights the significance of the Disability Discrimination Act and NDIS in empowering artists with disabilities and notes the uneven distribution of resources for disability arts across Australia. As the leader of an arts organization, he values the transition of power to individual artists with disabilities, stressing the importance of equipping them with the skills and contacts needed to lead and redefine the sector.
• "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.
• "Interview with Daniel Savage"
  Daniel Savage is an artist and disability advocate working in mediums of photography, video and performance. Interview Summary: Daniel discussed his background as a disabled contemporary artist primarily focused on photography, with additional interests in video and performance. Daniel detailed the journey through his artistic career, highlighting significant experiences such as art school education, early influences, and the impact of acquiring a disability. He also explored the evolution of his style and interests, particularly his shift towards digital technology and his involvement in advocacy for accessibility in the arts. Daniel also shared his perspectives on the challenges and achievements within the disability arts scene in Australia, including public awareness and integration with contemporary art.
• "Interview with Graham Wilfred Junior"
  Graham Wilfred Junior is a Yolngu man and artist with Incite Arts where he works with different mediums including filmmaking, writing, performing and music. Interview Summary Graham, an emerging artist with spina bifida whose father inspired his passion for art, has pursued various art forms including painting, music, and digital art, now calls Mparntwe/Alice Springs home, and is venturing into theatre and filmmaking. His digital artwork, through the creation of the indigemoji app, helps teach the Arrernte, the language of the First Nations people of Mparntwe/Alice Springs. He now seeks to expand his impact through acting and creating films. Graham's motivation is to both celebrate and inspire people with disability, aiming for recognition as an artist rather than focusing solely on his disability. Graham shares his journey with Incite Arts, highlighting his involvement in music workshops, acting classes and script development, emphasizing the importance of representation and empowerment for individuals with disability. Ultimately, he aims to document his experiences and create impactful performances that leave a legacy to encourage others to pick up where he leaves off, ensuring the continuity of artistic expression within his community.
• "Accessible Arts - Grants And Competitions- List - 2002-03"
  Accessible Arts - Grants And Competitions- List - 2002-03
• "Organisation Profile - Salubrious Productions, ACE Magazine Issue 27 April 2003"
  Organisation Profile, descibing the work of Salubrious Productions, in ACE Magazine, Issue 27 2003, published by Accessible Arts (New South Wales)
• "Accessible Arts - Membership Form 1995"
  Accessible Arts - Membership Form 1995
• "Accessible Arts - Membership Form 1999"
  Accessible Arts - Membership Form 1999
• "Accessible Arts - Membership Form 2000"
  Accessible Arts - Membership Form 2000
• "Accessible Arts - Membership Form 2001"
  Accessible Arts - Membership Form 2001
• "Access2Arts Blog"
  Access2Arts Blog postings of news, events, and projects, as first added 2016
• "Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression -1998 Sum - Iss3"
  Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression News Publication issue 2 Summer 1998 - information/reviews of Creative Writing, Music, Dance, Theatre and Performance programs,opportunities, resources
• "Queensland Theatre of the Deaf - Kenneth J Donnell - Actor, Director, and Foundation Committee Member - CV"
  CV of Kenneth J Donnell, Foundation Committee Member, Actor, Director, and Artistic Director Queensland Theatre of the Deaf from 1980, dated 1998 - training (including as first profoundly Deaf Australian to be awarded a Churchill Fellowship), awards, shows as actor (An Evening with the Theatre of the Deaf, Snow White & Company, Ondine, The Crane, Jack the Simpleton & his master, Dick Woodington-Lord Mayor of Where?, Treasure Map, Seasons, Christmas Carol, Only an Orphan Girl, The Man from Snowy river, A Stranger at the Inn, Gotze, Wolf Boy), as director (Medieval Mime, Mime Skits for Expo'88', Spring Mime Madness), and as director/author (Follow That Sign, Robert the Bruce, Anonymous Addict, Nara's Journey, Our Eyes are Your Ears, Assimilation, The Devious Black Marble, Fate of The Rose)
• "Tutti Arts - Kurt Bosecke - Beastie Boy - Exhibition - Promotional Card"
  Tutti Arts - Kurt Bosecke 'Beastie Boy' Exhibition 2017 Promotional Card - reads, in part "Be hurled into the psychedelic, parallel world of Beastie Boy. A keen exploration of anthropomorphism through hybridity, colour and pattern. Kurt Bosecke, with support from Tutti Arts, presents his second solo exhibition and invites you to enter the world of his imagination. A richly populated place full of expressive characters that have been mixed and matched into unique hybrid creations."
• "Tutti Arts - Kurt Bosecke - Beastly Projects - Promotional Card"
  Tutti Arts - Kurt Bosecke 'Beastly Projects' Exhibition 2017 Promotional Card - reads, in part "Tutti's out of this world Fringe exhibition showcases a series of original artworks by Tutti artist Kurt Bosecke together with interpretatlons of his creatures into limited edition t-shlrt by the inimitable Dave Court of foolsandtrolls."
• "Tutti Arts - Open Studio Exhibition - SALA Festival - Promotionall Card"
  Promotional Card for Tutti Arts Visual Arts and Design Program 'Open Studio' as part of SALA 2014 (South Australian Living Arts Festival) - reads, in part "Tutti is delighted to invite you to its 2014 Open Studio SALA exhibition opening! This exhibition will showcase a range of spontaneous, introspective and out of the ordinary works produced by 30 emerging learning disabled artists working from the Tutti Visual Art Studios."
• "Arts Project Australia - Annual Christmas Salon Show 1992 - Invitation - Promotional Flyer"
  Arts Project Australia - Annual Christmas Salon Show 1992 - Invitation - Promotional Flyer
• "Arts Project Australia - Annual Christmas Salon Show 1993 - Invitation - Promotional Flyer"
  Arts Project Australia - Annual Christmas Salon Show 1993 - Invitation - Promotional Flyer
• "The Other Film Festival WA Program 2022"
  The Other Film Festival WA Program 2022 – Australian work screened includes Shadow (52:00) Bruce Gladwin; Different Lens: Julia Hales (2:20) Frank Carroll; Different Lens: Nang Nguyen (2:20) Frank Carroll; Evacuate (2:00) Gaele Sobott; First Responders. Breanna: Relationships (2:09) Back to Back Theatre - Ahmarnya Price; Gemma (5:17) Rafael Star; I Was Born (Misfit) (5:10) Gaele Sobott; Price Versus Penny Arcade (9:28) Back to Back Theatre - Tamara Searle; Resource Daddies (7:40) Nemeses - Vidya Rajan and Alistair Baldwin; Silent Dance (4:00) Rohin John; Sparkles (12:49) Jacqueline Pelczar and Tina Fielding ; Yulubidyi (12:48) Curtis Taylor and Nathan Mewett
• "Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities"
  Flyer, reading "Arts Access SA creates opportunities for participation and leadership for people with a disability in South Australia's arts and cultural life."