National Arts and Disability Awards 2022

Celebrating trailblazing Australian artists and leaders at the National Arts and Disability Awards.

Three outstanding artists have been announced as recipients of the National Arts and Disability Awards, delivered by the Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Access Australia (AAA).

The announcement comes on the eve of International Day of People with Disability (December 3, 2022).

This video was produced by IronBark Films in collaboration with Bus Stop Films – two organisations that promote inclusive filmmaking for people with disability.

In partnership with:

Meet the recipients

Melbourne-based performance artist Roya A (who performs as ‘Roya the Destroya’) is the recipient of the award for an Established Artist. Roya is internationally acclaimed for her work spanning physical theatre, circus and dance. Find out more.

Madeleine Little, a Brisbane-based actor, theatre and festival director receives the award for an Early Career artist, recognising her work as an artist, advocate and mentor for artists with disability. Find out more.

This year’s Arts Access Australia National Leadership Award goes to Rafeif Ismail, an award winning emerging multilingual writer based in WA. Find out more.

roya the destroya

Maddie Little

Rafeif Ismail

The National Arts and Disability Award for Established Artist celebrates the achievements of an Australian artist:

whose outstanding and sustained contribution to their chosen field/s of arts practice has been recognised nationally and/or internationally.

The recipient of this award will receive $50,000.

The National Arts and Disability Award for Young Artist recognises a young Australian artist demonstrating outstanding leadership, who:

is 35 years of age or under (at the time of nomination)
has made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field/s of practice.

The recipient of this award will receive $20,000.

Eliza Hull: Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award, made possible through the support of the Feilman Foundation

Georgia Scott: Australia Council for the Arts National Arts and Disability Award for a Young Artist

Timothy Cook: Australia Council for the Arts National Arts and Disability Award for an Established Artist

Watch the full event below:

Emily Crockford, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Emerging Artist)
Gaelle Mellis, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Established Artist)
Abbie Madden, Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award

Dion Beasly, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Emerging Artist)
Janice Florence, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Established Artist)
Madeleine Little, Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award