Arts and Disability
A number of community organisations in all states and territory around Australia work specifically in the Arts and Disability sector. In general, they aim to achieve the following goals for people with disabilities, experiencing disadvantage or living with a mental illness:
- Increasing participation in artistic and cultural activities
- Increasing access to arts activities and performances
- Providing professional development opportunities
- Celebrating artistic achievements and successes
- Advocating at the state and national level
- Seeking funding to run arts and cultural programs
- Working within a social inclusion framework.
Arts Access Australia is the national peak body representing community cultural development and disability organisations in Australia.
In 2009, the Federal Government agreed to the National Arts and Disability Strategy, which sets out a vision and framework for increasing access to and participation in the arts for people with disabilities.
Community cultural development groups such as Tutti Ensemble provide artists with disabilities with skills for artistic growth and opportunities to earn income from theatre and music performance. Restless Dance Theatre is a leading dance company working with young people with and without disabilities.
For an American perspective on arts and disability, visit the National Arts and Disability Center based a the University of California Los Angeles.
Further Reading
State Government of Victoria 2010, Picture this: increasing the cultural participation of people with a disability in Victoria, Office for Disability, Department of Planning and Community Development.
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