Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• “Arts Access Victoria launches the disability arts festival Alter State”
  In 2021, Arts Access Victoria launched Alter State, a major disability arts festival celebrating contemporary art and live performance with artists from Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand). “In October 2022, the inaugural Alter State presented 28 performances, including 5 world premiere events, schools’ shows and 14 different types of art forms, as well as 32 films, in-conversation sessions, and workshops.”
• "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.
• "DADAA Annual Report 2012-2013"
  DADAA Annual Report 2012-2013 - information about Vision, Mission and Goals, Chairperson and Executive Director’s Reports, Staff list, Participation, Programs including the Lost Generation Project, Sculptures by the Sea Tactile Tours, StARTSpeak, Fusion Project, Esperance: The Emergence Project, HERE&N0W13, Aging & Disability, Fourth International Arts And Health Conference, Nexus Arts Grant, Regional Development and Consultancy, Partners, and Financials
• "Soprano Marjorie Lawrence performs in her wheelchair in the 1940s"
  In the 1940s, Australian soprano Marjorie Lawrence contracted polio and performed in her wheelchair, both nationally and internationally, showing veterans life after disability was possible. Platforms were modied for her wheelchair so she could perform.
• “Arts Project Australia is founded in 1974”
  In 1974, Myra Hilgendorf OAM founded Arts Project Australia, an organisation whose aim is for artists with an intellectual disability to have their work presented in a professional manner. In 1984, Arts Project moved to Hawthorn, Melbourne and started a studio workshop program. The organisation became an Incorporated Association in 1986. In 1994, Arts Project Australia artists exhibited their work internationally. Exhibitions occurred at MADMuseé and Centre d’Art Differencié in Belgium. Artist Julian Martin was selected for the Moët & Chandon Touring Exhibition. Arts Project published an education/slide kit in 1994 called ‘Between the Lines: Visual Arts and Intellectual Disability’. The organisation first published ‘Outline: News from Arts Project Australia’ in 1996. Arts Project Australia was recognised by the National Gallery of Australia in 2013 for having international significance.
• Alison Richardson
• "Access2Arts (SA) established in 2009"
  Access2Arts (SA) was established in 2009. In their own words, “following on from many years of work by the Community Arts Network SA (CANSA), a project was created within Arts SA called the Disability Arts Transition Team. This led to our establishment as an independent body to represent, advocate and respond to the needs of the arts and disability sectors.” The organisation became incorporated in 2013. They are the body for arts and disability in South Australia.
• “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).
• “Disabled actor and writer Heather Rose stars in ‘Dance Me to My Song’ (1998)”
  The 1998 film ‘Dance Me to My Song’ stars Heather Rose, who also co-wrote the film. It is about a woman with cerebral palsy, whose carer resents the job. The dramatic tension rises when the two women both take an interest in the same man. The Rolf de Heer-directed film is significant for casting a disabled actor at a time when authentic disability representation was rare, not to mention Rose’s contribution to the screenplay. ‘Dance Me to My Song’ was selected to feature in the Cannes International Film Festival in May 1998. The documentary ‘Heather Rose Goes to Cannes’ (1998, Christopher Corin) follows Rose’s journey from Adelaide to Cannes.
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1995-96"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1995-96- discusses functions, organisation chart, arts funding, audience development and advocacy with collaboration with various government departments to focus on advocacy for minority groups including people with disabilities, strategy and policy with Arts and Disability report, describing the barriers to intellectual and physical access to the arts experienced by people with a disability and the implications for arts organisations of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, main activities of Council and its Boards, and includes financial statements and lists of grants made including grants for programs, projects, information and advocacy.
• “Australia Council releases its first Disability Action Plan”
  In 1996, the Australia Council for the Arts released its first Disability Action Plan.
• "Accessible Arts and Arts OutWest - Artability Music Workshops - Press Release"
  Accessible Arts and Arts OutWest - Artability Music Workshops 1995 - Press Release - reads, in part "Local musicians in Bathurst, Orange, and Dubbo are being sought by Accessible Arts Inc to run music workshops for people with disabilities. Free Music Improvisation training days for local artists, musicians, arts, and disability workers will also be run by Accessible Arts in October 1995. Anyone interested in participating is invited to attend the community consultancy meetings in each centre, held from Monday 11 September to Wednesday 13 September 1995."
• Gaelle Mellis
• “Australia Council - Artists with Disability Program 2014”
  The website reads “The Artists with Disability Program provides funding for Australian artists with disability (including Deaf artists) to create, develop, present, produce, exhibit and/or tour their work”
• "Interview with Graham Wilfred Junior"
  Graham Wilfred Junior is a Yolngu man and artist with Incite Arts were he works with different mediums including filmmaking, writing, performing, digital art, music and painting. 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, and is venturing into theatre and filmmaking. His digital artwork, through the creation of the emoji app, helps teach the Arrente language, a part of his cultural heritage, and he seeks to expand his impact through acting and creating films. Graham's motivation is to both celebrate and inspire people with disabilities, 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 disabilities, ultimately aiming 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.
• “Arts Access Victoria - Arts Access Society Inc. - Access Newsletter December 1992”
  Arts Access Arts Access Society Access Newsletter December 1992 – P-art-ICIPATE Expo'92, Cultural Exchange Program with China, Executive Director message, national DADAA conference, Arts Access studio – able to be hired, updates – resource centre, projects, Publication – “Rewind - Strategies for Integration in the Arts”, EASE staffing changes, membership.
• “The 1985 New Directions Report is released”
  People with disabilities and their families participated in the review for the first time as part of a comprehensive consultation process. The resulting report ‘New directions: report of the Handicapped Programs Review’ was released in 1985. It indicated the need for change in disability policy culture of how people with a disability rights and capacities to realise their individual capacities for development.
• “Protesters gather in Lismore (NSW) to oppose proposed cuts to services”
  In 2004, 300 disabled persons, along with their relatives and carers, gathered in Lismore to protest proposed cuts to adult, training, learning, and support programs, among other services. These were a part of a series of demonstrations against the state government that included hundreds of demonstrators in Newcastle and resulted in the state government reversing its position on modifications to the Post-Schools Options Disability Program.
• “NuunaRon (QLD) is established in 2018”
  NuunaRon (QLD), "a group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists and emerging artists living with disability," was established in 2018. The name NuunaRon is a portmanteau in honour of two disabled artists, Elders Aunty Nuuna (a saltwater Noonuccal woman) and Uncle Ron (a Kamilaroi man). The organisation is supported by Elders Living With Disability Australia (ELDA). NuunaRon “provides a safe space for people to share stories of resilience and keeping strong via yarning, painting and creating art.”
• "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.
• “Queensland Advocacy Incorporated spearhead campaigns to close institutions”
  In 1989, when the Bjelke-Petersen-Ahern Government was coming to an end, the newly established Queensland Advocacy Incorporated was spearheading campaigns around the state to close down institutions and provide financing for individual help for individuals with disabilities.
• “Sit Down Shutup and Watch, a screen festival for people with learning disabilities, is launched in 2014”
  In 2014, Tutti Arts launched Sit Down Shutup and Watch (SDSW). SDSW is a collective led by people with learning disabilities; They present a biennial international screen festival which features the work of disabled creators. The committee also hosts workshops and online resources.
• Arts Activated
• “Accessible Arts (NSW) established”
  Accessible Arts (NSW) was established in 1986. "the peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. We advance the rights of, and opportunities for, people with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts and have equitable access to arts and culture across NSW".
• “Arts Access Australia launches Meeting Place”
  Arts Access Australia launched Meeting Place in 2012, an annual forum where artists and industry leaders meet to discuss arts and disability and to network. The forum includes keynotes, panels, and workshops.