Funding for Arts Access Australia

Arts Minister Simon Crean today joined Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas to announce $500,000 funding for Arts Access Australia – the peak national body for arts and disability.

Mr Crean said the funding would support and promote the work of Arts Access Australia in improving access and participation in the arts by people with a disability.

“This is a very exciting announcement for the arts and disability sectors,” Mr Crean said.

“A number of initiatives under Arts Access Australia’s flagship Arts and Disability Program will benefit from the funding.

“The Gillard Government is committed to supporting access to the arts for all Australians and we recognise the importance of Arts Access Australia’s as a strong advocate in this area.”

Senator McLucas said people with a disability made a significant contribution to Australian arts and culture.

“The funding will support a number of initiatives that strongly align with the National Arts and Disability Strategy,” Senator McLucas said.

“The Australian Government is supporting Arts Access Australia to help create a more inclusive society that ensures people with disability can contribute and fully participate in the arts.”

“Their Arts and Disability Program aims to foster a greater interest in the arts and disability sector and generate momentum in the community to support the aspirations of people with a disability in the cultural sphere.”

The Arts Access Australia initiatives that will receive funding are:

• $240,000 to develop its capacity and strategic position as a peak body in the provision of resources, partnership development, and public awareness initiatives. This will include resources developed in partnership with member organisations across the country to meet the range of needs identified by jurisdictions;
• $200,000 for research involving broad consultation with the sector, to identify strategies to improve arts engagement by people with a disability; and
• $60,000 to administer the second round of the Cultivate pilot funding program which will provide grants to artists with a disability.

Senator McLucas said the National Arts and Disability Strategy follows ratification by the Australian Government of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which aims to enhance opportunities for people with a disability to participate in all aspects of social and political life.

“The National Arts and Disability Strategy is one of several whole-of-government approaches to support social inclusion and address the barriers to full and active citizenship and participation faced by people with a disability,” Senator McLucas said.