The history of SA’s arts and disability communities is somewhat disjointed and unclear. We are aware that many arts projects have and continue to occur within schools, hospitals and supported accommodation and employment centres for people with disability. However, due to limited time and resources, Arts Access SA is unable to fully document the history of these movements and developments.

History
In 1965, what was probably, the State’s first arts and disability organisation; The Broughton Art Society was established by the late Ian Broughton as The Arts Society for the Handicapped. Ian was a talented artist who had severe muscular dystrophy. He established the Society as a place where artists with disabilities could meet, create works, borrow equipment and learn skills. In 1966, the classes began at Bedford Industries. Then in 1971, thanks to the City of Unley they were able to relocate to an historic tram-barn which they’re still using.

Artists participating in The Broughton Art Society programs continue to mount an annual exhibition, display their works around Adelaide and their artists contribute works to Arts Access SA’s exhibition programs, including A-Frame

Some 23 years later, Arts Access SA began life as Arts in Action (now, Arts Access SA) which emerged from its umbrella organisation, the Recreation Association for People with Disabilities SA. One of the early individuals involved in the foundation of Arts in Action, was the late Dawn Slade-Faull.

Dawn Slade-Faull was a visual artist who advocated for people with disabilities and worked with organisations including the Independent Living Centre, the Intellectual Disability Services Council and ACROD (now NDS). Her friends remembered that her association with Arts in Action “gave her the opportunity to develop a range of initiatives linking her interest in the arts with the needs of people with a disability.”

Not long after the foundation of Arts in Action, Dawn Slade-Faull suddenly died. Her friends established in her memory to keep alive the advocacy and opportunities for visual artists with a disability, The Dawn Slade-Faull Award which gives annual awards. Over the years, they have given numerous awards, including to the renowned South Australian painter, Richard Maurovic, who later chaired the group until 2006.

Dawn was one of a few advocates who played an important role in championing disability rights and access. Richard Llewellyn and his partner, Becky played an important role with Arts SA’s implementation of Disability Action Plans and the improved accessibility of the Adelaide Festival Centre. Meanwhile, Jeff Heath challenged builders and building owners to make buildings accessible. It’s thanks to him that the Hilton Adelaide has disability accommodation.

In early 2007, the South Australian Government through Arts SA announced the launch of a unique arts and disability fund, The Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust, with $1 million in funds for distribution to arts and disability projects over the next five years.

Disability Arts Advocacy Project
Disability Arts Advocacy Project, formerly known as Reins, Rope & Red Tape was established in late 2005, the project was inspired by the late Jeff Heath and Richard Llewellyn. Both in their unique and passionate manners demonstrated the importance of advocacy to making South Australia’s arts richer and more accessible.

Arts Access SA recognised that there was a need for a new generation of disability activists. While change on a political level is not the goal of this project, the skills that support change practices are. Change at a cultural level can be effected through the arts.

In May 2007, the first round of participants completed the program. While participating they learned many new skills and gained rare and unique opportunities in the arts and disability sectors.

Arts in Action
In 1989, Arts in Action (now Arts Access SA) became an incorporated association, with a charter to create and extend arts opportunities to all people with disabilities throughout the State.

During its first decade, Arts Access SA (AASA) helped and encouraged the formation of three significant and ongoing performing arts organisations, Restless Dance Company (1991), No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability (1993), Tutti Ensemble (1997) and The Jam, The Mix, The Gig (2003). One of the key projects of Arts in Action was the establishment of the High Beam Festival.

High Beam Festival
This festival was conceived and produced by Arts in Action through the direction of Tony Doyle with its first Festival occurring in 1998. Originally it was a directed Festival which featured a mix of events, including: parades, comedy, dance, theatre and concerts with big name artists such as Adam Hills and David Helfgott. From the outset the High Beam sought to be of international significance. In its inaugural year the Swedish Disability Theatre Company Moons Teatern presented a production and conducted workshops with No Strings Attached. In 2006, following a number of reviews, Arts Access SA Board decided to make it an annual event, with two festivals: High Beam Local branding the International Day of People with Disability and High Beam Global, coinciding with the Adelaide Festival and Fringe.

Restless Dance Company
In 1991, Restless Dance Company was founded by Sally Chance and Tania Rose following the MOC Connections project organised through Carclew Youth Arts Centre. From then until 1995, they remained at Carclew.

Sally Chance said, “At the time of founding the company in 1991, my motivation had its basis in social justice. I aimed simply to redress the historical imbalance of dance not including performers with a disability and to demonstrate that people with a disability could make dance too.”

The methodology Sally used was an evolving one which was based on the ideas of ‘reverse integration’, where young people without a disability entered the unknown creative space of people with disabilities, which they didn’t automatically own or understand.

As the company developed, the company’s culture changed from simply celebrating difference to redefining the nature of dance in their terms. Sally remarks, “This I believe, is the secret of the company’s artistic success. Restless Dance Company’s dance theatre offers audience a unique world view, which comes from being a clear and truthful voice.”

One of the aspects which make Restless unique is that its methodologies have evolved from the dancers’ influences. They have allowed dance to become their language, where dance is used to express their attitudes and concerns.

Restless has regularly premiered new works at the Adelaide Come Out and High Beam Festivals. In 2000, they performed at the Sydney Paralympics. In 2005, as a first, the company co-produced, Vocabulary with Garry Stewart’s internationally acclaimed, Australian Dance Theatre.

No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability
No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability was founded in 1993, by Helen Flinter-Leach who was their inaugural Artistic Director until 1997. In 1997-99 and 2004 to now, PJ Rose was and is their Artistic Director.

Each year, No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability creates a new production which has been premiered at the Adelaide Fringe, High Beam Festival and the Awakenings Festival in Horsham, Victoria.

The company is a community-based theatre company of people affected by disability. The works which they create are ones influenced by the perspective of the members. To develop a constant pool of actors, weekly workshops take place which are tailored to the individual needs of the participants.

In 1998, No Strings Attached undertook an international exchange with MoomsTeatern at High Beam.

Tony Doyle Visions
Prior to Tony Doyle’s appointment as Director of Arts in Action, he established Music Works, which was the predecessor to Club Contagious, which was a hugely successful project that regularly occurred at the Lion Arts Centre. Following leaving Arts in Action, Tony further cemented his reputation as an events manager, producing popular events such as Somersault and the reinvigoration of The Music Works as a regular weekday event on the first Tuesday of the month, The Music Works designed primarily for Day Option participants occurs at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. Tony’s work in Somersault has been to create visual environment and his signature piece the Seetainer has been featured at many community events including the Port Festival and Horsham Awakenings Festival.

The Jam, The Mix, The Gig (JMG)
JMG is a contemporary rock band with a continually changing make-up, depending on the instrumental resources required for each song. Led by composer and music director, Robert Petchell, JMG primarily performs original songs composed by its members.

The genesis of JMG evolved in September 1993 out of the development of the Fine Lines Band. It began with jam sessions in the Semaphore and Port Adelaide area, with the core participants becoming the Fine Lines Band. In 2001, Fine Lines Band became independent, led by Cass Cassebohm.

JMG regularly performs at its home, The SA Folk Centre, Mental Health Week and at Arts Access SA’s Club Cool and High Beam. In June 2007, JMG launched its inaugural CD, Special Days at Arts Access SA’s Club Cool.

Tutti Arts
In 1997, Pat Rix began a small singing group with Minda residents with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Over the last ten years, Tutti under Pat’s leadership has developed a number of programs: Tutti Choir – the performing choir; Club Tutti – a non performance training choir; Tutti Arts – a day option performing and visual arts program in partnership with Minda; Tutti Kids an after school music and drama program for primary school aged children; and The Big Country Choir which was established in originally in conjunction with Arts Access SA for the 2004 High Beam, a project working with inclusive groups in the Clare and Barossa Valleys.

Tutti is a unique model and organisation. Their long-term relationship with Minda Inc makes it possible for them to provide vocational training and to work with a broad cross-section of the community.

Tutti Choir who perform with up to 70 participants with half who identify with having a disability regularly give concerts and participate in performance projects such as their acclaimed international collaboration, Northern Lights Southern Cross, which premiered at the 2007 Bundaleer Forest Weekend.

Adelaide Festival Centre Patrons Reference Group
The Adelaide Festival Centre in the early 2000s established the Patrons Reference Group to assist the Centre with becoming a more accessible and disability friendly building. In 2003, the building underwent major redevelopments to the tune of $23 million which allowed for many improvements in terms of the buildings accessibility and seating.

Much of this eventuated, because of Richard Llewellyn’s advocacy. For far too many years he had been going to shows, where to see it he had to put his neck on a 45 degree angle.

Club Cool
In 2006, 11 years after the establishment of Club Contagious, Adelaide’s only ongoing socially inclusive event, featuring performances of contemporary music and comedy won the South Australian Small Business Award in the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnerships Awards and was selected as one of three finalists for the National Small Business Award.

Club Cool provides performance opportunities to musicians and artists with a disability - at least 25% of performers are from this group. It is an outlet for disability arts products that require a “stepping stone” approach to mainstream opportunities. It is a healthy, friendly and integrated environment with a mix of disabled and the general public. It establishes and builds social contacts and personal confidence to promote healthy lifestyles in a supportive community network.

The Big Country Choir
In late 2003, Arts Access SA established the Big Country Choir, as a project so that country South Australians from the Clare and Barossa Valleys, Port Pirie and Wallaroo could be a part of High Beam 2004, directed by Susan Maley. The project led by Pat Rix and Robert Petchell was such a success that it continued on after High Beam. In early 2007, Tutti Arts were given this project to manage by Arts Access SA. Big Country Choir played a significant role in Northern Lights, Southern Cross.

Arts Access SA (Arts in Action’s Name Change)
During 2004 and 2005 Arts in Action undertook significant consultation within the arts and disability sector to consider its long term future. This process resulted in a confirmation of the organisation’s role as the peak association for the sector with an endorsement to advocate for the sector.

Following the resignation of the General Manager Jayne Boase, an Executive Director, Peter Tregilgas was appointed in February 2006. Arts in Action changed its name Arts Access SA in May 2006, reflecting the change in the organisation as a peak-body focussing its energies on communications, policy and supporting the sector.

Radio Cool
As part of its communications focus, Arts Access SA established its weekly radio show, Radio Cool in late 2006, which broadcasts every Sunday from 1-2pm on Radio Adelaide, 101.5FM. Presented by Arts Access SA’s volunteers it features music by people with a disability, interviews, events listings and discussions of major disability and access issues. From February 2007 the Radio Cool show has been presented live to air for the Governor Hindmarsh on the last Sunday of each month as part of the Club Cool.

The Future
With the increased awareness of the sector and the growth in partnerships between peak-bodies and arts organisations, the future is looking so bright that we are going to need shades to protect us from the glare of High Beam and the State’s many other exhilarating arts and disability projects.

The challenges for the sector however remain significant. While the SA should be rightly proud of the performing arts thrust created by JMG, Tutti, No Strings Attached and Restless, the visual arts scene remains uncoordinated, without effective workshop facilities and without a designated galley. A venue to accommodate both visual and performing arts presentations and studio development needs significant resources and consideration. The capacity for artists to work in new media and film is also an area for future development.

The arts field is a broad one which is an opportunity for professional arts practise and creative participation by people with a disability. The creative industries is more however that the artist or performer. The arts industry has the capacity to absorb people with a disability in a range of employment opportunities. Vocation and employment in the arts and creative industries remains a key challenge in the future.

Prepared by Arts Access SA
This document is work in progress, prepared at the request of the Disability Information Resource Centre. As Arts Access SA progresses to its 25th anniversary of formation, we are undertaking further in-depth historical research.

We apologise in advance for any inaccuracies or omissions and any offence or concern that they may cause. If you are aware of them, please send them to: info@artsaccess-sa.org.au or phone Arts Access SA on 8224 0799.