Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "My Brother Vinnie - IMDB"
  My Brother Vinnie' Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1986-87"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1986-87- discusses functions and objectives, structures, process and membership of Council, Council Committees and members, board members, assessment panels, staff lists, organisation chart, main activities of Council and its Boards, and includes financial statements and lists of grants made including grants for programs, workshops for disabled people in community arts, funding for posters on theme of disability, grant for Theatre of the Deaf Braille Book of the Year award and Sound Pot Purri literary magazine for Royal Blind Society
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1982-83"
  Australia Council - Annual Report Australia Council Annual Report 1982-83 - discusses objectives, members of council, board members, organisation chart, staff list, council report, programs, board reports, financial statements, publications and grant lists including workshops, art production activities, production of magazine, award and performances.1982-83
• "Access Arts - Brisbane Outsider Artists 2008"
  Access Arts Brisbane Outsider Artists (BOA) Studio/Programs page, with information about artists, and exhibitions, and examples of work
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1998-99"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1998-99 - discusses letter from chair of council, functions, profile, organisation chart, corporate overview, year in review, arts funding, main activities of Council and its Boards, and includes promoting the importance of accessibility in the arts for all people with and without disabilities with workshops for arts organisations and training for Australia Council staff, financial statements and lists of grants made including grants for programs, projects, information and advocacy with Restless Dance Company being the first youth dance company to receive a Triennial Grant.
• "Australia Council - Making the Journey: Arts and Disability in Australia"
  Reads, in part "A collection of inspiring examples of how to include people with disabilities in the arts, as participants, creators and organisers"
• “Australia Council for the Arts website captured 2008”
  The website reads “The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body.” – links to the arts, Grants, News, Events, Publications, Philanthropy.
• "Tutti Arts - Beastly Exhibition - Program"
  Tutti Arts and Stepping Stone 'Beastly Exhibition' Program - reads, in part "BEASTLY is the first fruit of a growing relationship between learning disabled artists and their supporters in Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. This collaboration seeks to democratise art further through including work driven by learning disabled artists in international festivals"
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1989-90"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1989-90 - discusses objectives, highlights, support for artform development, main activities of Council and its Boards, and includes financial statements and lists of grants made including grants for conferences, access and touring, programs training and resource development as well as publications such as “The Arts and People with Disabilities”
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1988-89"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1988-89 - discusses objectives, Council Committees and members, board members, allocation chart, main activities of Council and its Boards, and includes financial statements and lists of grants made including grants for community cultural development traineeships, training, programs, projects, performances and promotion and publications including “The Arts and People with Disabilities: A code of practice for arts organisations.”
• "Access2Arts (Arts in Action) Previous Projects archive as first added to website in 2004"
  Access to Arts (Arts in Action) Previous Projects archive as first added to website in 2004
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 2018-19"
  Australia Council - Annual Report 2018-19 - reads, in part "This year the Council made a new commitment of $750,000 over three years to support structured mentorships and two new national awards for artists with disability. Empowering and celebrating artists with disability is imperative in ensuring that Australia’s rich diversity is truly reflected across the breadth of our arts."
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 1979-80"
  Australia Council Annual Report 1979-80 discusses members of council, standing committees and board reports as well as financial statements, grants lists, planning for the nternational Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) 1981 including publications of a study to identify options of disabled gaining greater access to the arts and programs and grants for Braille and Talking Book Library for its Braille Book of the Year, salaries of staff and funding for production of “The Threepenny Opera”, workshops and travel costs of NSW Theatre of the Deaf, funding for residents of the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home for the intellectually handicapped who gave a performance at the Sydney Opera House
• "Interview with Janice Florence"
  Janice Florence is a performing artist and disability advocate. She originally trained as a Teacher and Librarian. Janice has worked in Education and Libraries for many years and in disability advocacy for 20 years She has worked in Training and Consultation at Arts Access Vic for 12 years. Janice has been involved in theatre, dance and human movement for over 35 years. For 25 years she has been the Artistic Director of Weave Movement Theatre, comprising disabled and non-disabled performers. Weave has produced many devised original works often with respected performing artists as collaborators. She was the inaugural recipient of the Australia Council Awards for Disability Arts-Established Artist in 2019. Interview Summary Janice Florence is a veteran performer and Artistic Director of Weave Movement Theatre, which includes disabled performers. During the interview, Janice reflected on her extensive history with dance, both prior to and after acquiring her disability, highlighting the significance of political and personal themes, as well as the use of humour in her work. She discussed the ongoing challenges in securing accessible rehearsal and performance spaces, along with the complexities of funding and recognition within the Disability Arts scene in Australia. Janice also acknowledged the importance of Disability Arts historically and its potential for challenging societal expectations regarding disability.
• "Interview with Jeff Usher"
  Jeff Usher is a jazz and blues composer, arranger, pianist, vocalist, teacher, lecturer, and music consultant. Interview Summary Jeff Usher is a visually impaired Australian jazz musician with a rich history of playing music since childhood, influenced by a significant early encounter with the Jazz Action Society and key individuals like his high school music teacher Kathleen Kerr and his supportive family. Throughout his career, he has worked with a diverse range of musicians across many genres, including country, rock, and church music, and has expanded his repertoire to include political and spiritual themes, often infused with his synaesthetic experience of colour. Despite a broad professional experience, his engagement with the disability arts space developed over time, particularly through collaboration with other disabled artists, and he values working with good artists regardless of their backgrounds or disabilities. He is deeply committed to his craft, finding a balance between the aesthetic quality of his work and the joy it brings, both to himself and his audiences.
• "Interview with Jess Cochran"
  Jess Cochran (they/them) is an actor, model, writer and disability advocate. Interview Summary: Jess Cochran is a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, performing artist, advocate, writer, and consumer consultant with a background in both physical and psychosocial disabilities. Their journey into the performing arts began accidentally with a role in the Awards winning Melbourne Fringe Festival production, Qualia, which opened doors to more local and international Awards-winning work in film and stage. Jess identifies proudly with their disabilities and considers their art both a personal expression and a political act aimed at highlighting the issues faced by the disability community. Jess’s work spans across writing, modelling, and various performance arts, and they wish to see an increase of disability arts representation in mainstream media with authentic casting, opportunities and improved accessibility for disabled performers. Jess is also passionate about highlighting intersectionality in disability arts.
• "Access Arts - Brisbane Outsider Artists 2014"
  Access Arts Brisbane Outsider Artists (BOA) Studio/Programs page, with information about artists, and exhibitions, and examples of 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 Asphyxia"
  Asphyxia is an artist, author, activist and performer who has founded Amplio, a music app for Deaf and hard of hearing people. She also provides free online Auslan lessons and online art courses. Interview Summary Asphyxia is a Deaf artist whose journey into the arts started with a deep love for ballet, but after facing discrimination due to her Deafness, she pivoted to a successful career in circus performance and later puppetry, which embraced her Deafness and signing skills. Her work in performance art led her to write and illustrate the Awards-winning art-journal book, Future Girl, which explores Deaf identity and environmental issues. She has now moved into music, creating an app that makes music accessible and writing music designed with Deaf and hard of hearing audiences in mind. Although not sure about the major milestones in disability arts history in Australia, she considers her art to be both political and personal, often tackling issues related to her identity as a Deaf person and the aesthetics of disability equipment. While Asphyxia identifies as a Deaf artist, above all, she sees herself as an artist whose work appeals to the mainstream while celebrating Deafness and diversity.
• "Interview with Jodee Mundy OAM"
  Jodee Mundy OAM is a Disabled creative director, performer, writer, activist, creative producer, executive producer, commissioner, interpreter, film, festival maker and cultural leader. Interview Summary Jodee Mundy OAM, is an artist and festival director who identifies as Coda (child of Deaf adults) and lives with chronic illness reflects on the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Deaf and Disabled artists in Australia. Her work is deeply political, aiming to tell untold stories and bring visibility to marginalized communities. Despite significant achievements, Jodee stresses the need for structural support and inclusivity within the industry, especially given the limitations of hybrid access models post-pandemic. Jodee's personal journey, including her recent incurable cancer diagnosis, shapes her advocacy for a culture of care and well-being in the arts. Jodee leads Alter State, Australia’s Disability- led arts festival presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria.
• "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.
• "Access Arts -Our Artists"
  Website reads "Access Arts’ talented visual artists work across a range of mediums such as painting, photography, drawing, collage and mosaic."
• "Australia Council - Annual Report 2001-02"
  Australia Council Annual Report 2001-2002 - discusses letter from chair of council, corporate overview, year in review, financial statements, analysis of funding and grants for projects, initiatives, new work, programs, presentation and promotions including funding for implementing the Commonwealth Disability Strategy by evaluating current and changing needs of people with disabilities in the arts sector and reflecting this in funding and policies, arts marketing and audience development and triennial grants to disability arts organisations in NSW, South Australia and Victoria as well as an image from Crossroad Arts for the exhibition “Shades of White” and the publication “Making the Journey”
• "Tutti Arts - Between the Worlds - Program 2007"
  Tutti Arts - 'Between the Worlds' 2007 Program - reads, in part “The first stage of Between the Worlds In May 2004 was called Circles and was about relationships with significant people In our lives. The second stage development this year Involved Interviewing all our actors to explore deeper relationship themes. One of these interviews was with our talented male lead, Alistair Brasted who said: "I've always felt between the worlds, not knowing where I really belong". This Insight resonated with all our artists and became the theme of the whole script because they had all experienced feelings of exclusion. The story of Romeo and Juliet and their love which transcends hate and divisiveness served as inspiration for Between the Worlds. In our story the Innocence of Isabella and Oliver's love In the face of adversity has allowed us to explore universal questions of discrimination and difference which lie at the heart of violence. Such stories have been with us since the beginning of time. Like the script, the songs and music for Between the Worlds are the expression of the Individual voices of our actors.”
• "Tutti Arts - Six Swans - Program"
  Tutti Arts ‘Six Swans’ 2015 Program – reads, in part “Six Swans is the first collaboration of its kind and we are thrilled to be working together on this production. Tutti is one of Australia's leading disability arts organisations- working to promote the work of disabled artists to the world, and UniSA is at the forefront of providing flexible, compelling industry-relevant learning experiences for students. Productions of this nature are immensely valuable because they break down barriers, enrich the lives of all participants, and create opportunities for graduating and emerging artists involved.”