Update: we are still looking for participants for our First Nations session (to be facilitated by a First Nations d/deaf or disabled artist).
We are also conducting a number of one on one interviews if you are unable to join a focus group. Please see below for details.
We are currently undertaking a Disability Arts Needs Analysis and Audit to develop a clearer understanding of the services that are currently available, and those which may be missing, at a national level. This will explore services for d/Deaf and disabled artists and also the arts sector more broadly.
As part of this research project, we are seeking artists and arts workers to participate in a series of focus groups.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking Australian artists and arts workers who are d/Deaf and disabled, or who have a chronic illness or mental health condition, and are interested in joining focus group discussions to share their insights and experiences.
We are keen to involve artists at all stages of their development (emerging, mid-career and established), from across the country and from diverse backgrounds. We are holding a number of closed focus group sessions for People Of Colour, Deaf community and First Nations communities.
Focus Groups
All Focus Groups will be 2 hours long (with a break) and held online via Zoom, with Auslan and Captioning available. They are facilitated by this project’s lead consultant Morwenna Collett, with specialist co-facilitators. Each session is open to up to 15 participants and unwaged/independent artists are provided with an honorarium of $100 for their time.
Focus Group dates and times are:
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- Open to all d/Deaf or disabled artists
Wednesday 16 August, 6-8pm AEST
🚫Update: this group is now at capacity. - Open to all d/Deaf or disabled artists
Monday 21 August, 2-4pm AEST
🚫Update: this group is now at capacity. - Deaf session, facilitated by Fiona Murphy
Wednesday 23 August, 2-4pm AEST
🚫Update: this group is now at capacity. - People Of Colour, co-facilitated by Mallika Macleod
Thursday 31 August, 2-4pm AEST
🚫Update: this group is now at capacity. - First Nations session, facilitated by First Nations d/Deaf or disabled artist
Friday 1 September, 2-4pm AEST
✅ Please email Jo Simpson if you are interested in participating.
- Open to all d/Deaf or disabled artists
An agenda for the session will be sent in advance, but discussion is likely to focus on these questions:
- What are the critical service needs?
- What (if any) targeted capacity building programs and initiatives should be prioritised?
- What (if any) sector engagement and advocacy should be prioritised?
- What (if any) advocacy should be delivered?
- Who to the best of your knowledge is delivering one or more of the above?
This project is committed to ethical research principles, privacy and human rights. Before you consent to participate, you will be provided with further detail on how the information you provide to the research will be captured and managed, how your rights will be protected, and how the research will be used.
RSVP
If you are interested in participating, please email Project Coordinator Jo Simpson at joannesimpson74@outlook.com, who is coordinating these sessions. This is a ‘first in, best dressed’ opportunity, so please be quick if there is a specific session you are keen on attending.
Other ways to get involved
If you are not able to participate in a focus group but are keen to contribute to this research via another method, please also email Jo and let her know. We will be conducting a number of one on one interviews with artists and arts workers who can’t attend focus groups, and will also be distributing two surveys later in the year so there will be other ways to participate in this project.