Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts WA

Arts Development

The Arts Development program at DADAA aims to develop the artistic and professional capabilities of participants through curatorial support and audience development.

DADAA is positioned as the primary Arts and Disability infrastructure in WA, providing cultural access to over 2000 West Australians with disabilities and/or mental illness per year. Critical to DADAA’s role is the provision of audience development programs across WA. This ensures that the 20 per cent of the population who experience disabilities and/or mental illness have access to the large gamut of community arts, exhibition, performance and screening opportunities available within the mainstream and, through these opportunities, can connect with broader audiences to self advocate through the arts.

DADAA’s Arts Development program staff work toward the artistic and professional development of the people involved in their programs. From music, dance and fine arts, to performance and new media, all the Arts Development programs seek a full engagement with an art form and a solid pursuit to push participation and stretch individual capabilities.

All Arts Development programs have public outcomes, whether they be exhibitions, music CDs, interventions, theatre performances or films. Art meets the community and the efforts of those involved are shared with a broader sphere of people, increasing awareness and opening dialogue with the broader community about people living with a disability and the art they make.

DADAA employs professional artists to fulfill the role of teacher, mentor and artistic guide, and to ensure connection and exposure with the broader artistic community.

DADAA’s Freight and FOCUS Galleris are located in Fremantle and Midland, respectively. Along with other community exhibition and performance venues, they ensure that artists with disabilities have access to professional and community-based venues, curatorial and installation support, and, importantly, access to the arts economy.

The Arts Development programs are made possible by the contribution of our project partners: Lotterywest, Healthway, ArtsWA and Australia Council for the Arts. These partners ensure we continue to manage, coordinate and staff our programs, facilitating the production of cultural processes and outcomes by people living with a disability or a mental illness.

On just about any Friday night throughout the year, you can be assured that somewhere in the state, DADAA will host an exhibition, performance, video screening or radio play, ensuring that the cultural contribution of people with disabilities is positioned to grow new audiences for these artists.

pARTicipate Youth Program

pARTicipate is a partnership initiative between DADAA and Propel Youth Arts WA. It provides opportunities for young people with disabilities to experience and develop skills in the arts. Young people attend local performances, exhibitions and events. As audience members, young people with disabilities will engage in high-quality arts experiences and be visible in the local arts community.

Participants will also participate in a series of contemporary ats workshops to develop arts processes, self-expression, teamwork and artistic outcomes. Through these activities, connections will be made between young people with and without disabilities, local artists and arts organisations that will provide ongoing opportunities for participants to take an active role in their community.

For more information, call the Youth Project Coordinator, Lex Randolph, on 0414 933 225 or email lex@dadaawa.asn.au.

ARTLINK Childrens Program

Artlink operates as a respite program providing school-aged children with special needs access to engaging arts-based activities.

Artlink's primary objective is to provide school-aged children with disabilities and their siblings with access to experimental arts, cultural development, exploration, socialisation and arts learning. All programs are tailored to provide participants with a wide variety of arts activities and creativity in a supportive environment with specialist arts and support workers.

The program aims to empower children by teaching new skills, enhancing self-esteem and encouraging social engagement and friendships by providing fun, educational and inclusive activities. Activities include theatre, dance, sculpture, print making, animation, music, visual art, photography and puppetry.

Artlink’s secondary objective is to maintain family and carer wellness through 32 weeks of respite per year.

The program runs from two locations in Fremantle and Merriwa every Saturday during the school term.

For more information, call the Artlink Coordinator, Anna Eden, on 9430 6616 or email anna@dadaawa.asn.au.