What might the world of arts and disability look like in 25 years?

Australia’s first disability-led arts and disability organisation, AAA has a strong history of supporting the main principle of the disability leadership movement, ‘Nothing about us, without us’. Today, our CEO and over fifty per cent of our Board identify as having a disability. This means the work we do is driven by artists with disability, for artists with disability. This approach is key to the transformative change that is needed to deliver an inclusive and resilient society for all – which is also the theme of this year’s IDPwD.

AAA’s leaders, past and present, have seen many successes over the years. Our organisation has been vocal at conferences, published papers, and delivered projects not only nationally but internationally, in countries such as Ireland, USA, Japan, New Zealand, East Timor, and most recently, in Germany.

A representative for the interests of all Australian artists with disability, AAA has advocated for the development of the Cultural Ministers Council’s National Arts and Disability Strategy, piloted the first dedicated national arts and disability funding grant, and campaigned to support the introduction of the NDIS.

Today, we are working closely with the Department of Communications to assist them in facilitating greater linkages and collaboration with the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Agency, and our NDIS Working Group (established in 2014) continues to meet and advocate for an equitable NDIS as it rolls out across the country.

We are also the proud hosts of Meeting Place, a disability-led forum that brings arts and cultural leaders, workers and artists with disability together to discuss and debate current issues. The first Meeting Place was held in 2013 to great success, leading to the first international forum held this year in Berlin, Germany, as the central event of the Australia-Berlin Arts Exchange project.

We have achieved much in our 25 years of existence. But looking forward we must ask the question, how can we stay strong, resilient and sustainable into the future?

Drawing from the five fundamental principles of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development [PDF 6.4 MB], AAA pledges to:

• keep our network strong, invest in our people, our artists, arts workers and leaders, so they can realise their full potential in dignity and equality
• use our creative energy and art for social and environmental change, present the reality of current inequalities and help others to imagine an equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive planet
• address income disparity and advocate for better education and employment outcomes to ensure artists with disability can live in prosperity and enjoy a fulfilling life in the arts
• act strongly but with peace to address discrimination and advance equality for Australians with disability as artists, arts workers, participants and audience members
• mobilise our assets and work together in partnership across the country to build a strong, resilient and sustainable arts and disability sector.

And what might this stronger and more resilient future look like?

Imagine a world where diversity and difference is embraced.

In this world, artists with disability will float down the red carpet and the world will love them for who they are.

In this world, there will be no need for special access shows and screenings. Universal design will be the norm and people with disability will have the freedom to go wherever they like, whenever they like, with whomever they like and however they like.

In this world, there will be no disadvantage, our people will be paid fairly for their work, and will have the opportunity and freedom to express their difference or sameness, free from discrimination.

In this world, our industry will be thriving, our programs, our artists, our arts workers and leaders will be highly sought after for their ability to work with diversity and complexity and produce unique and powerful works of art.

In this world, art and disability will belong in a museum. Our stories of the past will be told, our heroes and villains, will be honoured and revered.

In this world, one could barely imagine a world of disability, discrimination and disadvantage.