Employment

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Arts Access Australia has an active interest in supporting individual artists with disability and the employment of people with disability in arts organisations.

The 2003 report Don't Give Up Your Day Job: An Economic Study of Professional Artists in Australia indicates that 10% of artists identify as having a disability and half of all artists earn less than $7,300 from their practice.

We know that nearly a million people receive payment for their work in the cultural sector and that the overall economic size of the sector is estimated at $19 billion which is on a par with the road transport and residential construction industries. In addition we know that people with disabilities are under-employed despite evidence they are good employees.

Arts Access Australia’s believes that the arts and cultural sector should be recognised as a significant employer and a specific area for open employment and disability employment programs to focus on. A related strategy is ensuring arts organisations commit to the employment of people with disabilities. The Australia Council 2008 – 2010 Disability Action Plan includes the development of an employment strategy and training for all key organisations.

Arts Access Australia has also responded to Federal Government reviews of employment services and the development of a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

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