Equity or at least Equality for Artists with Disability

Following recent funding announcements and the release of the Federal budget last week, Arts Access Australia is calling for policies which support the equity, development and employment of artists with disability.

Arts Access Australia CEO, Emma Bennison, said that whilst the arts emerged from the budget relatively unscathed in comparison to recent years, there are some broader implications for artists with disability which need to be monitored.

“The introduction of a new NDIS Savings Fund is welcomed by Arts Access Australia to provide certainty for the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. However, the intention to review the Disability Support Pension for 90,000 people over three years is concerning to us. In particular, the appearance that those most at risk of becoming ineligible for welfare payments will be the target of this review. We know that artists with disability are vulnerable when it comes to the Disability Support Pension, given the nature of employment in the arts and cultural sector is sporadic and unpredictable. We will monitor the implementation of this policy and advocate for the rights of artists with disability to receive adequate income support whilst maintaining their artistic careers.”

“We also welcome the new $96.1 million program “Try, Test and Learn” announced to support innovative approaches to finding work for young people. Whilst we strongly support any initiative to increase employment opportunities, we are hopeful that the arts and cultural sector will be recognised by the Government as an industry which has plenty to offer to the innovation agenda. We also remain hopeful that this initiative will be accompanied by a jobs plan which supports meaningful employment of people with disability.”

Bennison says the story in relation to Federal funding for arts and disability is mixed this week with funding rounds for the Ministry for the Arts’ Catalyst fund and Australia Council project funding being announced. “Having done everything we can to ensure disability-led projects and those which build the capacity of the arts and disability sector could be competitive for funding, we are disappointed to note that with half of the Catalyst funding allocation having been committed, just over six per cent of Catalyst funded projects are to provide improved participation to artists with disability or access to the arts by people with disability. This figure is disappointing considering that just over 20% of our population are people with disability. Whilst we sincerely congratulate those organisations who have been funded and look forward to working with them in our capacity as the national peak body for arts and disability, it appears that none of the funded programs have an aim to build the national capacity of the arts and disability sector as a whole, something we all know is desperately needed. Finally, we are worried and somewhat confused that over a quarter of this six per cent funding allocation flowed to organisations with little or no history of working in the arts and disability sector. We look forward to seeing these issues addressed in future funding rounds.”

The Australia Council has maintained its commitment to national, dedicated funding for artists with disability this week, announcing the second allocation of $330,000 in funding to 16 projects for individuals and groups. Arts Access Australia congratulates the Australia Council for this ongoing commitment to disability-led projects. We look forward to it continuing, given the quality of outcomes and ongoing need which has been so clearly demonstrated through these funding rounds.