Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "Interview with Veronica Pardo"
  Veronica Pardo is a disability arts ally and has been a disability advocate with previous leadership positions in organisations such as Arts Access Victoria and Multicultural Arts Victoria, Interview Summary Veronica Pardo, former Executive Director of Arts Access Victoria, discussed the evolution and impact of Disability Arts in Australia, detailing the political dimensions of the field and the importance of genuine representation and intersectionality. Pardo highlighted the importance of leadership transitions in arts organizations informed by a spirit of solidarity and mutual support, particularly citing Caroline Bowditch's role as significant in the sector. She emphasized a need for systems-level change within the arts to reflect true diversity, beyond tokenism, advocating for dismantling exclusive structures and creating new ones informed by those marginalized. Finally, Pardo stressed the importance of acknowledging the work of predecessors in Disability Arts to honour their legacy and inform current artistic and cultural practices.
• "Interview with Tina Fielding"
  Tina is a writer, actor, film maker and disability advocate Interview Summary Tina is an actress with Down Syndrome who identifies strongly with her art form, viewing her disability as an ability that enhances her talent and quality in storytelling through acting. She enjoys the process of acting and finds joy in watching her family perform, which inspired her to pursue the craft; however, she acknowledges that there are difficult moments that can be challenging but ultimately rewarding. Her artistic journey has involved working with various local companies in Perth and her work has evolved by adapting to new roles, with the aim of authenticity in her performances. Tina's influence and acknowledgment in the field are growing, noted by positive media attention, and she encourages other artists with disabilities to embrace and identify with their unique abilities.
• "Interview with Julie Moralee"
  Julie Moralee is the Chief Executive Officer of Restless Dance Theatre, bringing a wealth of experience in marketing, business development, and festival organisation within the arts sector. Her leadership focuses on showcasing the talents of artists with disability and ensuring sustainable employment opportunities in the arts. Interview Summary Julie Moralee is the CEO of Restless Dance Theatre, where she has focused on promoting the talent and abilities of artists with disability. With a commitment to ensuring sustainable full-time employment in the arts for these artists, she emphasises the importance of audience impact and high-quality performances as measures of success. Julie is mindful of the challenges and perceptions within the disability arts sector and envisions a future where the label "disability art" becomes obsolete, as the quality of the work transcends its creators
• "Interview with Michelle Ryan"
  Michelle Ryan is the artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre and has extensive experience as a dancer and performer. Interview Summary Michelle Ryan, the artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre, shares her journey from being a successful dancer diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 30 to becoming an advocate for artists with disabilities. Despite her initial hesitations to perform with her disability, a positive experience dancing with a European company reignited her passion and led her to Restless Dance Theatre, where she aims to change perceptions of who can create art. Michelle emphasizes the importance of providing professional opportunities and proper compensation for disabled artists, challenging the notion that disability work is charity or hobbyist. She advocates for representation that is genuine and not tokenistic, ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities is meaningful and respectful.
• "Interview with Morwenna Collett"
  Morwenna is a leader, consultant and facilitator in the arts, government, not-for-profit and university sectors and is passionate about helping arts and cultural organisations to include everyone in their work. Interview Summary Morwenna Collett is a consultant in diversity, access and inclusion and during the interview discusses her vast experience in the disability arts sector including time in the Australia Council where she played a key role in creating the first targeted funding program for artists with disabilities. Morwenna notes that while disability arts is gaining some awareness with mainstream audiences, there are still issues regarding how people think about the quality of art created by artists with disabilities. Morwenna highlights the NDIS as a significant milestone for disability arts in Australia, though she believes that there is much more potential for arts organizations to engage with it. Morwenna also emphasizes that the decision for artists to identify with their disability is a personal choice and it is becoming increasingly safe to disclose this identity, demonstrating progress toward inclusion in the arts.
• Dan Sanguineti
• Bryan Tingey
• Belinda Locke
• Andi Snelling
• Adolfo Aranjues
• Adam Hills
• "Interview with Gayle Kennedy"
• "Interview with Sofya Gollan"
  Sofya Gollan is a distinguished artist, screenwriter, filmmaker and cultural leader in advocating for the Deaf and disabled communities. Interview Summary Sofya Gollan is a versatile and experienced artist with a background in acting, writing, directing, and producing, known for her work in theatre, film, and television, and for navigating the industry as a deaf individual. Her journey into the arts began with her involvement in the Australian Theatre of the Deaf and further developed as she trained at prestigious institutions like NIDA and AFTRS, where she expanded her skills in filmmaking. Despite facing challenges and ableism within the industry, Gollan has made significant contributions to disability representation on screen, and highlights the need for ongoing support and funding for disabled artists to promote equity and access to opportunities. Returning as creative practitioner to the industry after an executive role, Gollan continues to advocate for inclusivity and representation, while aiming to create and share content that authentically reflects the deaf experience.
• Stephanie Lindner
• "DADAA - The Proper Shoes - Radio Play 2007"
  DADAA - 'The Proper Shoes' Radio Play 2007 - reads, in part "In 2005 & 2006 DADAA Inc worked in partnership with ABC radio to develop "The Proper Shoes", a radio play to be broadcast nationally. In 2005 & 2006 DADAA Inc worked in partnership with ABC radio to develop "The Proper Shoes", a radio play to be broadcast nationally.  In 2007 DADAA Inc has been invited to take a reworking of Proper Shoes to be part of TRASNA Festival of Inclusive Theatre.  The Proper Shoes will be broadcast in Callan, Kilkenny Ireland with a live site specific component developed to extend the work from its previous incarnation. The festival runs from 26th - 28th Oct 07 with two production staff and two performers attending and devising the work for the festival."
• "Back to Back Theatre - Website - Shows, captured 2008"
  Back to Back Theatre 'Shows' page, captured 2008, with list of shows, and links to work from 1999 forward - Professional Productions (including ‘Big Bag’ 1987-88; ‘Stinking Houses’ 1989; ‘The Peg Machine’ 1990; ‘Everything and the Mermaid’ 1990, ‘I Don’t Want to Live in Lara Anymore 1991; ‘Yell Blue Murder’ 1991; ‘Woodenhead’ 1992; ‘The Adventures of Bobbi Dazzler’ 1992; ‘Voices of Desire’ 1993; ‘Freak Show with Circus Oz 1994; Back to Back in Shorts 1995; Road Movie with Melbourne Workers Theatre 1996; Minds Eye with Handspan Visual Theatre 1996; Peter Pan with Arena Theatre Company 1997; Mr September 1997; Boomtown with Snuff Puppets 1998; Mental 1999; Dog Farm 2000; Pornstar 2001; Soft 2002; Cow 2003; Small Metal Objects 2005), and Community Productions (including Ritual with Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College 1998; Push Push 1999; Drag Racers in Love with Nelson Park School 1999; Arnold 2000 Fishman with Theatre of Speed 2001; Inside the Angel House with Theatre of Speed 2003; Minotaur with Theatre of Speed 2005; DMI with Theatre of Speed 2007; Pod Residences with Night School, Awakenings Festival, Brr Theatre Group, Ants Pantz Arts, Break of Day Players, Theatre of Speed, Arts Action and Amalgamation Festival 2003-2006), and films (including Mullet (1995), White Maggots (1996), Spill (1997), Mark Deans Human Cannonball (1998), Underpants (1999), Backscratch (2000), Porn Star (2002), Rhian Hinkley Theatre of Speed vs. BOZ'n'HOK, vs. HUGE COVILL (2004), D9 (2005), Out of our Minds (2001)).
• "Bree Hadley (2017) Disability theatre in Australia: a survey and a sector ecology. Research in Drama Education, 22(3), pp. 305-324.”
• Catherine Miller
• Melbourne Festival
• "Tutti Arts - Amalgumation Arts Festival - Promotional Flyer"
  Tutti Arts - 'Amalgumation Arts Festival' 2006 Promotional Flyer - reads, in part "The program starts with the screening of a short comical film entitled 'Wheel Love' by Emma Butler from Launceston. Then follows 12 personal digital stories,Telling Tales, produced by Arts Access Victoria and the Australia Centre for the Moving Image The final film features Bronwyn Hayward from New Zealand, who wants to become a dancer but is told that she cannot because of her disability. The story tells her journey to become a dancer."
• “Arts Access Victoria EASE Entertainment Access Service Newsletter Spring 1994"
  Arts Access Victoria EASE Entertainment Access Service Newsletter Spring 1994 - Disability Discrimination Act, Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, Melbourne Fringe Festival, training on BASS ticketing system, venue profile The Last Laugh Theatre Restaurant
• “Arts Access The Other Film Festival 2018 Invitation”
• “Arts Access Victoria EASE Entertainment Access Service Newsletter Summer 1995”
  Arts Access Victoria EASE Entertainment Access Service Newsletter Summer 1995 - Celebration of EASE 21st anniversary, Disability Awareness Seminar and workshops for venue managers
• Unlimited Festival
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival