For the first time, Australia has a dedicated national archive celebrating the history and impact of Disability Arts. Disability Arts History Australia is a landmark digital resource documenting five decades of creativity, advocacy and cultural change led by d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists, organisations and allies.
Created in collaboration with more than 100 artists, arts workers and allies, the archive is both a record of history and a practical tool for the future. Users can browse five decades of Disability Arts, learn about leaders and innovations, search more than 10,800 people, organisations and works, and create tailored reports, training resources and events to support inclusion across the sector.
The archive was created through a major research collaboration funded by the Australian Research Council, with support from Creative Australia, Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Justice, and Curtin University's Centre for Technology and Culture, alongside Arts Access Victoria and the University of Melbourne.
Queensland University of Technology Professor Bree Hadley, Chief Investigator of the project, said:
"The Disability Arts History Australia archive documents not only the achievements of artists, but the social and cultural change they have driven over the past five decades. This is a resource built with our community, on our terms, and it offers future generations the tools to understand where we've come from and where we can go next.
"It highlights the power of arts and cultural representation to create change, and the work still to be done to achieve full inclusion in the Australian arts sector."
Artist and advocate Caroline Bowditch, who was a partner researcher on the project in her former role as CEO at Arts Access Victoria, said:
"This archive is a gift to the nation. It honours the extraordinary contribution of d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists, documenting and making accessible their stories and learnings. By bringing together five decades of artistic innovation and advocacy, Disability Arts History Australia offers insights into new ways of thinking, collaborating and creating that benefit us all. The archive both recognises the achievements of the past and lays the foundation for a more inclusive future."
Presenting more than 1,600 records and 49 artist interviews, the site provides a rich resource for artists, arts organisations, policymakers, researchers, and the wider community.
Users can explore:
- 1650+ archival records, including annual reports, programs, flyers and more
- 49 interviews with Auslan interpretation, captions and transcripts
- Search tools to explore over 10,800 people, organisations and works across Australia
- Curated histories and timelines highlighting key moments in policy, activism, and practice
Explore the archive at: https://disabilityartshistoryaustralia.net
