An online database to empower Victorians with disability to engage in the arts has gone on to national success.
One million Victorians live with a disability. With recent shifts to individualised funding, people with disability have greater self-determination but if they cannot easily locate suitable and accessible arts programs, their participation remains limited. ARTfinder started out as an online, state-wide directory to improve access to inclusive arts programs across Victoria and has gone on to become Choose Art, a national online directory platform designed for and by deaf and disabled people.
‘Everyone has a right to take part in art and culture’
International Covenant on Ecnomic, Social and Cultural Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Butterfly Surgeons from Arts Access Victoria’s Get Out program who performed at Art Matters in Frankston. Photo: Paul Dunn
Snapshot
- ARTfinder will assist Victorians with disability and their carers to easily locate, or advocate for, affordable accessible arts programs for respite, recreation and professional arts practice in their local communities.
- It will increase the capacity of Victorian local governments, disability services and arts organisations to plan, promote and deliver accessible arts programs for people with disability in their local communities.
- The work also connected with significant investment from Arts Access Victoria into ‘Open Your Eyes’ disability training for councils, Melbourne University’s Social Equity Institute and arts organisations as well as preparedness for the arts sector for NDIS.
- Thirteen live forums were held, opening community discussion of issues for arts and disability, and building knowledge and capacity to form project partnerships
- Two linked resources were created (with co-funding from DHHS and Creative Victoria) Art & You – A planning guide (individual advocacy tool for NDIS planning)
Art For Everyone: a guide to best practice in inclusive arts programs