by FilmInk Staff
EquiArts is a new annual event celebrating artists and arts workers from the d/Deaf, Disabled and/orvNeurodivergent communities.
The Disabled Creative Collective (DCC) has launched EquiArts upon receiving a four-year tender from Creative Australia to improve access and inclusion across creative industries and workplaces, as part of the Australian Government’s Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan, developed in partnership with the Office for the Arts, and in consultation with Screen Australia.
DCC is made up of screen practitioners with lived experience of disability: Aimee Huxley (Inclusive Consulting), Chanel Bowen (Norfolk Pictures), Steph Dower (Dower Productions) and Paul Nunnari (Inclusively Made).
Creative Australia’s Disability Programs Manager, Margaret Mayhew, said: “It’s great to see the national forums and gatherings being developed by d/Deaf and disabled artists and advocates. This survey will help them plan events that place d/Deaf and disabled people at the centre of the arts, screen, games and cultural sector at a national level.”
Screen Australia Industry Development Manager Ken Crouch said “It’s vital that Australian screen stories authentically reflect our nation and it’s encouraging to see these filmmakers leading inclusive conversations across the arts sector. Screen Australia’s support for this survey, led by EquiArts, is an important next step in ensuring that together with Creative Australia and the Office for the Arts, we are continuing to include diverse perspectives and experiences, which will only make screen content and digital games richer for all.”
EquiArts aims to create more opportunities for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent (DDN) creatives and arts workers to start or grow their careers, share their work and be fairly recognised. By building skills,
sharing knowledge and connecting people across different art forms.
To begin their journey, EquiArts is offering a survey for artists and arts workers with disabilities (or connected to the disabled community) to share their experiences of working in the arts industry across Australia. The survey can be found on their social media: EquiArts Australia or Disabled Creative Collective on LinkedIn.
“With survey responses, we can ensure experiences from the community will help shape the events throughout the coming years. Your voice will be making a difference to inclusive art and accessible practices in the future,” said Stephanie Dower, EquiArts Program Manager
You can find EquiArts Australia on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or follow this link to sign up to the EquiArts newsletter to hear firsthand about their upcoming events: https://forms.gle/7yVwxjfxncxFnYYg6
Take the survey, here.
