Griffith Regional Art Gallery has been awarded $8,000 through the 2026 Audience Development Fund, administered by Museums & Galleries NSW, to deliver Art Your Way, an innovative project designed to create more inclusive and accessible gallery experiences for neurodivergent audiences.
The funding will support the development and delivery of a tailored program in partnership with the Griffith Autism Support Group, featuring sensory-friendly gallery tours, hands-on artmaking workshops and specialised staff training. Together, these initiatives will help create a more welcoming and accessible environment for visitors of all abilities.
The Art Your Way project will offer six sensory-friendly tours accompanied by creative workshops, enabling participants to engage with art in ways that suit their individual needs and preferences. Artwork produced during the program will be showcased in a participant exhibition, celebrating creativity, self-expression and community connection.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator Melanie Toscan said the project reflects the gallery’s commitment to reducing barriers to participation and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to engage with arts and culture.
“Art Your Way is about creating an environment where neurodivergent individuals feel comfortable, supported and empowered to explore their creativity. We are delighted to receive this funding from Museums & Galleries NSW, which will allow us to work closely with the Griffith Autism Support Group to develop meaningful and inclusive arts experiences for our community.”
The project was developed by Griffith Regional Art Gallery Public Programs Officer Isis-Rae Ronan in response to a growing demand for more accessible and inclusive arts experiences within the local community. Working closely with the Griffith Autism Support Group during the planning phase, Ronan designed the initiative to provide welcoming opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and their families to connect with art and creativity in a supportive environment.
Beyond the direct benefits for participants, Art Your Way will strengthen the gallery’s long-term capacity to deliver accessible programming through specialised staff training and the implementation of sensory-friendly practices. These outcomes will help ensure the gallery continues to offer an inclusive cultural space for years to come.
The Audience Development Fund supports museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural spaces across New South Wales to develop programs that expand audiences and foster meaningful community engagement.
The Art Your Way program will be delivered throughout 2027, culminating in a public exhibition in 2028 showcasing the creative achievements of participating artists.
The Audience Development Fund is a Museums & Galleries of NSW program.
