Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "Incite Arts website, captured 2024"
  InCite Arts website, captured 2024 - About, Current Programs, News
• "Access Arts - Through art, Access Arts transforms lives"
  Website reads "We create career pathways to paid work, and advocate at every opportunity for our artists to chase their artistic dream," with links to Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Arts Exhibitions, Grants and Awards, and Blog with information about artists and recent events.
• "Arts Access Victoria - Website - About, captured 2024"
  Arts Access Victoria - Website - About, captured 2024 - Information about Arts Access Victoria (AAV) advocacy, programs, services, to increasing access and participation in the arts for people with disabilities.
• "Arts Access Victoria - News 2019 - 2024, captured 2024"
  Arts Access Victoria - News 2019 - 2024 - includes updates on announcement of new CEO Josh Pether, Nebula, Stella Young Award 2024, Transmit Futures, AAV Flashback, Making Space grants
• "Crossroad Arts - Artistic Development, captured 2024"
  Crossroad Arts - Community Development, captured 2024 - reads, in part "Crossroad Arts is passionate about creating opportunities for people with disability who are serious about developing their skills in contemporary performance."
• “Arts Access Victoria – Art Everywhere (2010-2015)"
  Between 2010 and 2015, Arts Access Victoria (AAV) received $2.5 million to support audio description and captioning in film as part of its worth with The Other Film Festival, launched Write-ability with Writers Victoria, the mobile, accessible arts space Nebula in Melbourne’s Federation Square in 2012, and collaborated in research such as the ‘Beyond Access’ project with University of Melbourne and Dance Haptics with Deakin University.
• "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 Caroline Bowditch"
  Caroline Bowditch is an Australian artistic director, leader, performer, presenter, instructor, disability advocate and was the CEO of Arts Access Victoria. Interview Summary Caroline Bowditch, the CEO and Artistic Director of Arts Access Victoria, shared her journey as a performance artist and her experiences working within the Disability Arts community, highlighting her creative process and the challenges faced by disabled artists in Australia. Despite significant support and successful projects in the UK, she expressed concern over the limited progression and exposure of Disability Arts in Australia, noting a lack of ambition and opportunity deterring artists from aiming for larger, mainstream stages. Bowditch emphasized the importance of integrating access as a core component of artistic work and changing the aesthetic by including diverse bodies and perspectives. She also discussed tackling intersectionality within Disability Arts, reflecting on her own experiences as a visibly disabled and queer woman, and contemplating the future of Disability Arts, the desire for cultural equity, and the impact of potential shifts in societal barriers.
• "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.
• "Interview with Gayle Kennedy"
• "Interview with Jeremy Hawkes"
  Jeremy Hawkes is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculpture, drawing, painting and photography as well as being a writer, educator and disability arts leader. Interview Summary Jeremy Hawkes, a visual artist, opened up about his life and identity during his interview. After a debilitating workplace accident, he had to reimagine his sculptural practice due to his acquired disability and ventured into drawing, which helped him cope with multiple operations and diagnoses. Jeremy's art explores themes of identity and the interconnectedness between the macro and the micro, drawing inspiration from neurobiology and medical imagery. Despite his struggles, Jeremy commits to his studio daily, aims for success without fear, and advocates for greater visibility and opportunities for artists with disabilities.
• "Interview with Tim McCallum"
  Tim McCallum is a singer, performer and speaker and disability advocate. Interview Summary Tim McCallum is a performer who specializes in singing and acting, with singing being his foremost talent. Having sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia before beginning his studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Tim's childhood passion for the performing arts has continued to motivate his career. Through his experiences, both positive and negative, regarding inclusion and discrimination in the arts, Tim has become determined to challenge preconceived notions and make disability a visible and celebrated aspect of performance. He is a strong advocate for the representation of artists with disabilities in leadership roles within arts governance, stressing the importance of lived expertise over tokenism for lasting change in the industry.
• "Interview with Jeremy Smith"
  Jeremy Smith is a Senior Producer in Western Australia at Performing Lines, has a long career across community, experimental and performing arts, is a disability advocate and previously worked in Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia) as Director – Community Arts and Experimental Arts. Interview Summary Jeremy Smith has vast experience in the arts including working as a director with Australia Council (Creative Australia). Jeremy is currently an arts worker in the performing arts sector. While Jeremy lives with Achondroplasia, he has not always identified as disabled however a transformative project for the 2016 Perth Festival led him to embrace his identity as a disabled person with pride recognising the complexities surrounding personal identification with disability. Jeremy talks about artists and organisations he finds inspirational who are leading change in the disability arts sector and his motivation to also advocate for inclusion and the evolution of public perception of disability arts work.
• "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 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 Kath Duncan"
  Kath Duncan is a writer, a director, a provocateur, a visual artist, a comedian, a producer, a journalist, a radio broadcaster and disability advocate. Interview Summary Kath Duncan is an experienced and prominent figure in the disability arts community with a passion for experimental performance arts, having witnessed the beginnings of the disability arts movement in Australia and participated in its evolution. Her art is inherently political, shaped by her unique perspective as a congenital amputee. Kath firmly believes in the inherent creative revolutions and endless inspiration within all impairments. Kath highlights the ongoing struggles within the disability arts sector, including high unemployment rates for disabled individuals, systemic barriers, and the need for disabled leadership in arts organizations. While cherishing the milestones and transformative experiences she's had, Kath calls for significant systemic changes, emphasizing the importance of team playing and collective work to support and grow the disabled artist community.
• "Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression - Article: Video Making Project At Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre - Iss15, Pg9"
  Accessible Arts - ACE Arts Creativity Expression - Article: Video Making Project At Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre - Iss15, Pg9
• "Tutti Arts - Kathryn Evans - Frozen Girl - Promotional Flyer"
  Tutti Arts - Kathryn Evans 'Frozen Girl' 2017 Promotional Flyer - reads, in part "DREAMBIG CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL AND TUTTI ARTS PRESENTS FROZEN GIRL All of us remember that time in early adolescence when having a best friend is everything. Similarly, every parent knows that one day the little child they are dose to will grow and begin to separate from them. But what happens when a child separates so completely that even when with you they are unable to communicate or move. Frozen Girl is Kathryn Evans story, first told in 2014 during storytelling workshops, when she revealed that between the ages of 11 and 13 she did not speak or move. Kathryn's story and the way she told it with her small intricate facial expressions and her unhurried physicality was so powerful that I and members of the ensemble wanted to explore it further with her."
• "High Beam Festival Program 2006"
  High Beam Festival Program 2006 reads "High Beam is a 10 day integrated arts festival showcasing work inspired by or influenced by experiences of disability. Presenting both professional and recreational artists, audiences will see many of the world's most exciting and innovative achievements in arts and disability."
• "High Beam Local 2006"
  High Beam Local Festival Flyer 2006 reads "Adelaide the home to Some of Australia's most innovative festivals is aiving birth to a new invigorated High Beam Festival. In 1998, the vision and passion of many dedicated South Australians brought about the biennial High Beam Festival with unforgettable performances by artists with disabilities from Australia and around the globe. Arts Access SA's High Beam, like Australia's largest festival, the Adelaide Fringe has undergone a few changes and with it for 2006/07, comes two festivals, High Beam Local and High Beam Global. International Day for People with Disabilities on 3 December is when High Beam Local comes to life. While Beam Global will be part of Adelaide Fringe 2007. What ever takes your fancy Hiah Beam will undoubtedly provide you with a show or three that will amaze, excite and light your fire of healthy, artistic curiosity"
• "High Beam Festival 1998 Poster"
  High Beam Festival Poster 1998 reads "High Beam Festival PRESENTED BY: SPARC DISABILITY FOUNDATION in association with ARTS IN ACTION INC"
• "High Dreams at The Queens: an aerial sculpture installation"
  Flyer reads" High Dreams at The Queens: an aerial sculpture installation - the artistic oucome of a community project lead by Evette Sunset"
• "High Beam Festival Program 2002"
  High Beam Festival Program 2002 reads "Welcome to High Beam 2002 Australia's international arts and disability festival, celebrating disability culture from around the globe. In our third biennial festival we explore the significance of the circle. In High Beam Festival 2002, that significance is represented through our international program, 'circular' Wheelie BIG Event, the online community of Tech Arts Express and over 40 companies, performers and community members who span the arts and the globe. High Beam is about showing that living with a disability does not exclude you from creating real, exciting, cutting edge art. High Beam is also about showing what it is like to live with a disability through the medium of art. Get out there and enjoy! We are thrilled to present Australia's own legendary pianist David Helfgott, UK comedian Mat Fraser, the amazing wheelchair dancers from Nepal as well as Belinda Mason - Lovering's Intimate Encounters - a landmark photo-graphic exhibition from Australia."
• "High Beam Festival Program 2004"
  High Beam Festival Program 2004 reads "Welcome to evolve High Beam 2004 – A stimulating and inspiring seven-day cultural experience for people with a disability, families, friends and support workers, artists with a disability, professionals working in the disability sector, art workers and others."
• "Access Arts Annual Report 1988"
  Access Arts Annual Report 1988 - President’s Report, Performance, Workshops