About
Arts Access Australia is the national body representing a dynamic network of State and Territory arts and disability organisations and individuals. Each of these organisations and individuals works to increase access and participation in the arts for people with disabilities in their State or Territory.
Accessible Arts NSW <www.aarts.net.au>
Arts Access Darwin <www.darwincommunityarts.org.au/node/30>
Arts Access SA <www.artsaccess-sa.org.au>
Arts Access Victoria <www.artsaccess.com.au>
Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia WA <www.dadaawa.org.au>
Arts Ability ACT <www.actartsofficers.org.au> Canberra Arts Access Network <www.generate.net.au>
Arts Access Central Australia <http://inciteya.org.au/?section=artsaca>
Access Arts QLD <www.accessarts.org.au>
Arts Action Tasmania http://www.artsaccessaustralia.org/index.php?page=arts-action-tasmania
Arts Access Australia mourns the loss of Chair Dr Paul Collier who died, aged 46, in Adelaide on Tuesday night 9 March 2010 following a brain haemorrhage at his home. Paul became Chair of Arts Access Australia in 2007 following a Board restructure to ensure the national arts and disability organisation was disability led and highly skilled. Paul fitted the bill on both counts, with his Oxford Phd and previous advisory roles for the ABC and federal Minister for Disability, and made an immediate and positive impact managing the transition from the old to the new structure. Paul was returned as Chair twice and unanimously by his fellow Board members. Under Paul's leadership Arts Access Australia had a significant impact on public policy with the October 2009 release of a National Arts and Disability Strategy by the Cultural Ministers Council setting the vision and direction for arts and disability over the next three years and beyond. Arts Access Australia supported Paul's entry into the South Australian Governor's Leadership Program and knew he had a great many things left to achieve at the time of his death. Paul will be remembered for his passionate advocacy, expertise and good humour. He will be missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.
For the first time in history, South Australian voters had the opportunity to vote for a deceased candidate in the recent election. Paul has been elected to the Upper House in the South Australian Parliament. Paul's place in the Legislative Council will be taken by the No.2 candidate on the Dignity4Disability group ticket, Kelly Vincent. The profile of disability issues in South Australia and nationally is expected to escalate as a result of this outcome.
Looking for more information? Try our Links section.Arts Access Australia champions arts access and participation for the one in five Australians with a disability. This website offers news, connections and rich information about the vibrant Australian arts and disability sector.
