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Accessible Arts

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Dawes Point, NSW
Accessible Arts

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We’re the peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. Find out more about us on our website: www.aarts.org.au

Established in 1986, we work with and for our community to accelerate and celebrate the diverse professional, cultural and social impacts of arts and disability in NSW. Our Mission
We advance the rights of, and opportunities for, people with disability and/or who are Deaf to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts and have equitable access to arts and culture across NSW. Our Vision
Equity and excellence in arts, culture and disability

Our Values
Equity | Excellence | Diversity | Creativity | Partnership

14/10/2026

40 years of Accessible Arts

Join us at the Art Gallery this Wednesday night to celebrate four decades of advocacy, creativity and community impact with Accessible Arts.

Hear from leading voices in the arts and disability community in a dynamic ‘Nothing about us without us’ panel, reflecting on how far we’ve come and imagining what’s possible for the future.

Plus, get creative in a zine-making workshop and experience the Art Gallery in a fresh perspective on an art tour led by comedians with disability.

All events will be Auslan interpreted.

Art After Hours
Celebrating 40 years of Accessible Arts
Wednesday 14 October 2026
5–10pm
Naala Badu building
Free

13/10/2026

Today is the day! Let's celebrate 40 Years of Accessible Arts 🎉

Enjoy a program of free, accessible events in partnership with the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of Art After Hours.

Today at 5pm, leading voices from the arts and disability community will come together for 'Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us'.

Join in person or online as Morwenna Collett, Bianca Yeung, Finn O’Keefe and MC Alex Jones reflect on what's been achieved over the past four decades, where we are now, and what lies ahead.

Get creative at afternoon and evening sessions of 'Disability Justice & Joy: Zine Making Workshops'. All materials are provided, and all levels of ability and experience are welcome.

Create colourful zines celebrating Disability culture and community using cut-and-paste resources, stimmy craft materials and Disability arts ephemera from Accessible Arts’ 40-year archive.

Plus join in the fun with Comedian-Led Art Tours as the hilarious Imaan Hadchiti and Alice Tovey provide insights into 'The Edge of Things' – an Art Gallery of NSW exhibition which explores the ways in which artists give form to the dynamism and disorder of our contemporary world.

🎉 Art After Hours: Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts

📆 Wednesday 14 October
🕓 5pm-10pm
📍 Art Gallery of NSW
+ Panel event accessibly livestreamed

👉 Details at https://aarts.net.au/news/celebrating-40-years/

🤟 All events are Auslan interpreted and wheelchair accessible

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW. This event has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney as Principal Local Government Partner, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Image descriptions: 4 pink tiles with colourful confetti display the program event details (as outlined within the post above) and feature silver balloons in the shape of the number 40. A selection of featured artist headshots include Bianca Yeung, Morwenna Collett, Finn O’Keefe, Alex Jones, Alice Tovey and Imaan Hadchiti. The third tile features a Zine Artwork by Ava Lacoon: Shrine for Alice Wong, 2026.

06/10/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined in person or online for our Access Ideas and Insights event exploring Co-Design in Practice.

From Songsmiths to Milk Crate Theatre, this panel showcased different approaches to co-design, highlighting how collaborative practice can shape creative processes, artistic outcomes and community development through meaningful engagement, connection and shared ownership.

Panellists included Felicity Nicol (Senior Artistic Associate at Milk Crate Theatre) Irene Zhong (Composer and Singer-Songwriter) and Leila Harris (Composer, Songwriter and Musician). This event was MC’d by Dr Jessica Olivieri (Co-Artistic Director of Utp).

If you missed this event or would like to experience it again, accessible recordings are available on our website, including captioned and Auslan interpreted versions.

👉 Check it out at https://aarts.net.au/news/co-design-in-practice-accessible-recordings/

Accessible Arts is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and this hybrid event was made possible with support from the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Image descriptions: Ten photos from the event, including images of the Auslan interpreted and captioned panel event with Felicity Nicol, Irene Zhong, Leila Harris and Dr Jessica Olivieri, as well as a selection of small groups of people smiling at the post-event networking. Photos by Rob Studdert.

02/10/2026

🎉 Help Celebrate 40 Years of Accessible Arts!

Don’t miss the hilarious Imaan Hadchiti and Alice Tovey as they provide unique perspectives and deep insights into 'The Edge of Things' – an Art Gallery of New South Wales exhibition which explores the ways in which artists give form to the dynamism and disorder of our contemporary world.

Inspired by late sculptor Phyllida Barlow’s quote, “I like the edges of things … There’s a sort of nervousness about where the periphery of the work is,” this exhibition foregrounds the affirmative energy of art-making by revealing how artists take on uncertainty, both in and outside the studio.

Free Event - No Bookings Required.

🎉 Comedian-Led Art Tours of 'The Edge of Things'
📆 Wednesday 14 October
🕓 7pm and 8pm
📍 Art Gallery of NSW

These Art Tours will be Auslan interpreted.

👉 For details, visit https://aarts.net.au/news/comedian-led-art-tours/

🎉 This event is part of 'Art After Hours: Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts'.

The program of free and accessible events includes 'Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us' and Disability Justice and Joy: Zine Making Workshops.

👉 Check out the full program at https://aarts.net.au/news/celebrating-40-years/

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW . This event has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney as Principal Local Government Partner, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Image descriptions: Comedian Alice Tovey is wearing a pink jumpsuit and posing comically against a pale blue background, with one palm raised to her forehead; Comedian Imaan Hachiti is smiling and wearing a fez hat while standing with his hands in his pockets. (Photo by Zoe Hyland).

01/10/2026

🎉 Help Celebrate 40 Years of Accessible Arts!

Come to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and get creative at our Disability Justice & Joy: Zine Making Workshops.

Create colourful zines celebrating Disability culture and community using cut-and-paste resources, stimmy craft materials and Disability arts ephemera from Accessible Arts’ 40-year archive.

Zines are a celebrated practice in the Disabled community, offering portals to reclaim and access our own histories and providing toolkits for community safety, survival and justice.

The workshops will be led by Ava Lacoon and co-facilitated by Cass Li, Lara-Marie Wilkinson and Mei Lin Meyers — a cross-cohort group of writer and artist alumni from Accessible Arts’ Ripple: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program.

All materials will be provided, and all levels of ability and experience are welcome.

Free - no bookings required.

🎉 Disability Justice & Joy: Zine Making Workshops
📆 Wednesday 14 October
🕓 3.30pm and 7:30pm
📍 Art Gallery of NSW

These workshops will be Auslan interpreted.

👉 More info at https://aarts.net.au/news/disability-justice-and-joy-zine-making-workshops/

🎉 This event is part of 'Art After Hours: Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts'.

The program of free and accessible events includes 'Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us' and Comedian-Led Art Tours.

👉 Full details at https://aarts.net.au/news/celebrating-40-years/

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW. This event has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney as Principal Local Government Partner, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Image descriptions: Ava Lacoon, Zine Artwork, Shrine for Alice Wong, 2026. Image source: Ava Lacoon; headshots of lead artist Ava Lacoon and Workshop Co-Artist Facilitators Mei Lin Meyers, Lara-Marie Wilkinson and Cass Li.

30/09/2026

Tune into a different kind of creativity!

The Sideshow Podcast Series explores the unconventional talent and distinctive work of professional artists with disability.

In the latest episode, host Anthea Williams chats with Jodee Mundy OAM - an award-winning performance maker, film and festival director, and a leading figure in Australia’s Deaf and Disability arts communities.

A Disabled artist and CODA (the only hearing person in her Deaf family), Jodee creates bold, deeply personal work that places access at the heart of the artistic experience.

The podcast link and transcript are available at https://aarts.net.au/sideshow-podcast-series/

The Sideshow Podcast Series is produced by 2RPH

Image description: Jodee Mundy stands beside a wall of bright windows with one arm resting on the window ledge. She has wavy, shoulder length hair and is wearing a black jacket and multi-layered gold chain necklace. Photo by Pia Johnson.

28/09/2026

Join in person or online for 'Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us.'

As the centrepiece of 'Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts', this special event brings together leading voices from the arts and disability community.

Come to the Art Gallery of New South Wales or join online as we reflect on what has been achieved over the past 40 years, where we are now as a community, and what’s ahead as we continue to work together towards a more accessible and inclusive future.

Together, speakers will explore the journey from the disability rights movement to contemporary arts practice, looking at the intersection of activism and creativity and highlighting some of the key moments, people and movements that have shaped disability arts.

Panellists include Morwenna Collett (Musician and Accessibility Consultant), Bianca Yeung (Writer, Dancer and Producer) and Finn O’Keefe (Disability Advocate and Lived Experience Researcher). This event will be MC’d by Alex Jones (Artist and Disability Advocate).

🎉 This event is part of 'Art After Hours: Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts'

👉 Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us
📆 Wednesday 14 October
🕓 5pm – 6.15pm (in-person celebrations and light refreshments until 7pm)
📍 Art Gallery of NSW + Online

🎉 The full program of free and accessible events includes Disability Justice and Joy Zine Making Workshops (with afternoon and evening sessions available) and Comedian-Led Art Tours.

👉 Full details at https://aarts.net.au/news/access-ideas-and-insights-nothing-about-us-without-us/

🤟 All events are Auslan interpreted and wheelchair accessible. The panel event will also be captioned and accessibly livestreamed.

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW. This event has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney as Principal Local Government Partner, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Image descriptions: White text on a black background reads: 'Hybrid Event Series: Nothing About Us Without Us.' On the right there is a pink and blue swirling graphic; headshot of panellist Finn O’Keefe (photo by Rhiannon Hopley); headshot of panellist Morwenna Collett; headshot of panellist Bianca Yeung (photo by Byron Martin); headshot of MC Alex Jones.

21/09/2026

Would your organisation like to be part of the 2027 Createability Internship Program?

Together with Create NSW, Screen NSW and Sound NSW, we're seeking up to 16 arts, culture, screen and music industry organisations across NSW to host paid internships for Deaf and Disabled creative practitioners in 2027.

The Createability program supports industry organisations to create meaningful employment and professional development opportunities for Deaf and Disabled people, increase representation and leadership, and build a more diverse and inclusive creative ecosystem.

Host organisations will receive support from Accessible Arts to build more inclusive workplaces while helping talented creatives gain meaningful industry experience.

📆 Applications close 15 October 2026

👉 Learn more at https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-createability-host-organisation

The Createability Internship Program is a partnership between Accessible Arts, Create NSW, Sound NSW, Screen NSW and a range of NSW-based arts and cultural organisations.

Image description: Cassandra Li (intern) and Bronwyn Papantonio (Campbelltown Arts Centre) standing outside Campbelltown Arts Centre as part of Createability 2026. Image: DCITHS;

17/09/2026

Let's celebrate 40 Years of Accessible Arts! 🎉

Join in an exciting free event at the Art Gallery of New South Wales as together we celebrate the people, creativity and ideas that have shaped arts and disability in NSW.

The centrepiece of this celebration is an exciting panel event, 'Access Ideas and Insights: Nothing About Us Without Us', bringing together leading voices from the arts and disability community as they reflect on what's been achieved over the past four decades, where we are now, and what lies ahead.

Panellists include Morwenna Collett (Musician and Accessibility Consultant), Bianca Yeung (Writer, Dancer and Producer) and Finn O’Keefe (Disability Advocate and Lived Experience Researcher) alongside MC Alex Jones (Artist and Disability Advocate).

Get creative at the hands-on 'Disability Justice & Joy: Zine Making Workshops' led by Ava Lacoon and co-facilitated by Cass Li, Lara-Marie Wilkinson and Mei Lin Meyers.

Plus join in the fun with Comedian-Led Art Tours as the hilarious Imaan Hadchiti and Alice Tovey provide insights into 'The Edge of Things' – an Art Gallery of New South Wales exhibition which explores the ways in which artists give form to the dynamism and disorder of our contemporary world.

🎉 Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts
📆 Wednesday 14 October 2026
📍 Art Gallery of NSW + Panel Event streamed online

🕓 The full program of free and accessible events runs from 3.30pm until 10pm.

👉 Check it out at https://aarts.net.au/news/celebrating-40-years/

🤟 All events are Auslan interpreted and wheelchair accessible. The panel event will also be captioned and accessibly livestreamed.

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW. This event has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney as Principal Local Government Partner, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Headshots of ten artists featured in events and activities presented as part of 'Celebrating 40 Years of Accessible Arts' including Alice Tovey, Imaan Hadchiti (photo by Zoe Hyland), Finn O’Keefe (photo by Rhiannon Hopley) Bianca Yeung (photo by Byron Martin), Morwenna Collett, Alex Jones, Ava Lacoon, Mei Lin Meyers, Lara-Marie Wilkinson and Cass Li.

24/08/2026

Nominations are now open for the Museums & Galleries of NSW 2026 IMAGinE Awards.

Recognising excellence in creativity, innovation, collaboration and community impact, the awards showcase the remarkable work being undertaken throughout the sector.

We especially encourage organisations of all sizes to nominate and showcase the incredible work being done to improve access to arts and culture across NSW.

👉 Nominate a project or exhibition for the Accessible Arts Award for Access and Inclusion.

📆 Nominations close 15 September.

For more information, visit https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/programs/imagine/

Image Description: Red text on white reads 'IMAGINE Awards, 2026. Inspiring museums and galleries in excellence.' At the top is the Museums and Galleries of NSW logo.

Address

The Arts Exchange, Level 3, 10 Hickson Road
Dawes Point, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61292516499

Website

http://www.aarts.net.au/

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