Open call out for d/Deaf and disabled artists & arts workers for sector focus groups

We are currently undertaking a Disability Arts Needs Analysis and Audit to develop a clearer understanding of the services that are currently available, and those which may be missing, at a national level. This will explore services for d/Deaf and disabled artists and also the arts sector more broadly.

As part of this research project, we are seeking artists and arts workers to participate in a series of focus groups.

Who are we looking for?

We are currently seeking Australian artists and arts workers who would be interested in joining a focus group discussion to share their insights and experiences. We are looking for those who are d/Deaf and disabled, or who have a chronic illness or mental health condition. We are keen to involve artists at all stages of their development (emerging, mid-career and established), from across the country and from diverse backgrounds. We are holding a number of closed focus group sessions for People Of Colour, Deaf community and​​​​ First Nations communities.

Focus Group details

All Focus Groups will be 2 hours in length (with a break) and held online via Zoom, with Auslan and Captioning available. They will be facilitated by this project’s lead consultant Morwenna Collett, with a range of other co-facilitators. Each session will be open to up to 15 participants and unwaged/independent artists will be provided with an honorarium of $100 for their time.

Focus Group dates and times are below:

Focus Group 1 (Open to all d/Deaf or disabled artists)

Wed 16 Aug 6-8pm AEST

Focus Group 2 (Open to all d/Deaf or disabled artists)

Mon 21 Aug 2-4pm AEST

Focus Group 3 (Closed Deaf session, facilitated by Fiona Murphy)

Wed 23 Aug 2-4pm AEST

Focus Group 4 (Closed session for People Of Colour, co-facilitated by Mallika Macleod)

Thu 31 Aug Sep 2-4pm AEST

Focus Group 5 (Closed First Nations session, facilitated by First Nations d/Deaf or disabled artist)

Fri 1 Sep 2-4pm AEST

An agenda for the session will be sent in advance, but discussion is likely to focus on these questions:

  • What are the critical service needs?
  • What (if any) targeted capacity building programs and initiatives should be prioritised?
  • What (if any) sector engagement and advocacy should be prioritised?
  • What (if any) advocacy should be delivered?
  • Who to the best of your knowledge is delivering one or more of the above?

This project is committed to ethical research principles, privacy and human rights. Before you consent to participate, you will be provided with further detail on how the information you provide to the research will be captured and managed, how your rights will be protected, and how the research will be used.

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