An announcement on the future of AAA

Dear members, stakeholders, and disability arts supporters,

Following the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) the Board of Directors of Arts Access Australia, wishing to be as transparent as we can be with members provide this update:

As you will likely be aware, Arts Access Australia has endured many challenges since our 2019 application for funding from the Australia Council’s Four-Year Investment for Organisations was unsuccessful. Through changes in leadership, a global pandemic, and the limited funding avenues available to us, Arts Access Australia has done its best to regain its footing and come back, stronger, to serve our members.

Though the organisation has seen some success with project-based funding for initiatives like Meeting Place, there have been limited funding avenues available to the organisation to support our ongoing operational activity.

In 2022, after carefully considering the financial position of the company, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision not to renew the contract for the CEO. The intention at the time was to develop a new strategy for the organisation and seek sufficient funding to support a new direction for the organisation.

The Board of Directors continued to meet regularly and worked hard behind the scenes. As the company had no permanent staff, the Board worked to complete several outstanding grant acquittals and to research funding opportunities. We also reached out to members with a survey which we had hoped would inform the new strategic plan for the organisation. We are grateful to all who contributed to this consultation.

Sadly, we were unable to find an appropriate funding avenue that would allow Arts Access Australia to continue and rebuild. As such, the Board needed to evaluate the viability of the company moving forward.

At the Annual General Meeting on Friday 27th May, 2024, speaking as the Chair of the Board of Directors I shared an important update: Given the company’s financial position and the funding landscape overall, it is the recommendation of the Board of Directors to commence winding up the company.

The Board wants to emphasise that this recommendation is not made lightly. As the national peak body for arts and disabilit,y, the legacy of Arts Access Australia is one of advocacy and community.

While the recommendation to wind down the organisation is sad, we also see this as an opportunity for change and growth in the sector.

We are heartened by the knowledge that there are important organisations doing great work in this area:

• Arts Access Victoria
• Accessible Arts in New South Wales
• Access2Arts in South Australia
• DADAA in Western Australia
• Access Arts in Queensland
• Incite Arts and Arts Access NT/ Darwin Community Arts in Northern Territory
• Belconnen Arts Centre in ACT

What’s next?

The Board of Directors is currently undertaking appropriate research and carefully considering our Constitution, our financial position, and our legal obligations.

Our Constitution requires that an issue such as the winding down of the organisation be voted upon by the members. That means that the Board can provide a recommendation, but it is the members who will decide.

The Board has voted in favour of waiving membership fees for past members, whose memberships have lapsed since 01 January 2024, or are due to lapse in 2024. This will allow current members to participate in the discussion and voting process. Please contact the AAA board by emailing board@artsaccessaustralia.org with your membersip details. PLEASE NOTE, only past members whose membership lapsed since 01 January 2024 are eligible to take up this opportunity.

Members can expect an email in the coming weeks to provide important information regarding the recommendation of the Board and the voting process.

The board wishes to acknowlege that legacy of Arts Access Australia would not be as strong as it is today without the contributions of many. It is with immense gratitude that we share our appreciation for all volunteers, all staff, each Chief Executive Officer and Board Directors throughout Arts Access Australia’s 32-year history.

Martin Sawtell (he/him)
Chair, Arts Access Australia