Overview
The great art created by artists with disability, and participation of people with disability in the arts, are integral to the artistic and cultural life of Australia.
This summary brings together findings from Australia Council research publications and a research overview compiled by the Meeting of Cultural Ministers to build the evidence base about disability and the arts.
Key stories
Click on key stories below or scroll down to read more.
More Australians with disability are now engaging with the arts – both creating and attending.
Artists with disability are vital contributors to Australia’s arts and culture. They create work that offers excellence and artistry, as well as unique perspectives and lived experiences that challenge and redefine aesthetics.
Artists with disability are under-represented, earn less than their counterparts without disability, experience unemployment at higher rates, and are more likely to identify a lack of access to funding as a barrier to their professional development.
There is growing opportunity for artists with disability to reach and engage broad audiences, but challenges remain.
The support needs of artists with disability are complex and diverse. Research points to the importance of agency and ownership, visible success stories and role models, and equitable access to compete fairly for funding.
An Unlikely Tour, Crossroad Arts Credit: Cherrie Hughes