Access Ideas and Insights: Disability Leadership

In celebration of International Day of People with Disability, Accessible Arts, in partnership with the Sydney Opera House, presents a much-anticipated Access Ideas and Insights event exploring Disability Leadership.

Renowned artist Uncle Paul Calcott, musician, writer and activist Eliza Hull, and Arts and Disability Network Australia Director Sarah-Mace Dennis will share insights into Disability Leadership - a vital transformative force shaping the future of the arts.

MC'd by Accessible Arts CEO Liz Martin, with an introduction by the Sydney Opera House’s Senior Manager Access, a leader with lived experience of disability, this pivotal discussion will delve into the profound impact and distinctive potential of disability culture within arts practice, as well as organisational disability leadership across the arts, culture and screen sectors.

As we strive towards a re-balancing of power and much-needed increase in authentic representation in the arts, we ask: What does ‘disability-led’ look like, and how can we best support disability leadership and self-determination?

Where and When

Monday 24 November

3pm – 4.15pm
Doors open from 2.30pm for a prompt 3pm start
1-hour panel conversation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A (in person and online)

4.15pm – 5pm
Networking and light refreshments (in person only)

Join in person

Come to Sydney Opera House and enjoy networking after the event.

The event will be held in the Utzon Room. For details on how to get to the Sydney Opera House, click here or check out the Visual Story.

Please avoid wearing fragrances to enhance inclusion for those with chemical sensitivities.

Join online

Access

This wheelchair accessible event will be Auslan interpreted and captioned.

The in person event at the Sydney Opera House will include open captions, while the online event will be closed captioned.

About the Speakers

Uncle Paul Calcott - Artist

Uncle Paul Calcott is proud Wiradjuri man recognized as a Community Elder with Murri Court on the Sunshine Coast with 40 years experience in working in disabilities, who also sits on a number of advisory boards and is a renowned Australian artist. Uncle Paul has lived with a degenerative disability after he contracted polio when he was 18 months old. A long-time advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, and a member of the LGBTI community Uncle Paul is passionate about supporting Australia's First Peoples living with disability who are LGBTI. He advocates for more culturally appropriate programs for people with disability and facilitates a local art group of First Peoples artists living with disability using traditional art and storytelling to raise awareness around issues such as health, social isolation, economic participation and resilience building.

Eliza Hull – Musician, Writer & Disability Advocate

Having established herself as one of Australia's most striking songwriters of recent years, Eliza Hull has proven the longevity of her music, and continued evolution with the release of her recent EP 'Here They Come' which sees Hull work with ARIA Award-winning producer Pip Norman (Baker Boy, Missy Higgins) and feature co-writes with artists Gordi and Odette.

The first single 'Running Underwater' was first performed by Hull during a powerful appearance on national TV on ABC's Q&A. It's the first song Hull has written about having a disability. The music video features dancer roya the destroya and sparked many needed conversations about the lack of representation of disability in the music industry, the song was featured in Double J's Best New Music. Her profile as a musician and advocate has risen exponentially in Australia and overseas. Highlights include speaking at SXSW Sydney, performing at BIGSOUND, The Women in Music Awards and performing live on the BBC in the UK and ABC. She also recently toured the U.K. across five weeks, including a lucrative place on The Great Escape Festival's program in Brighton.

An award-winning artist (Music Victoria Awards, AWME Women in Music Award), Eliza Hull is an engaging and captivating performer who has been drawing a loyal fan base across the country; notable shows at many iconic venues and events including the Sydney Opera House, Ability Fest, NYE On the Hill, Hamer Hall, BIGSOUND, Malthouse Theatre, and the Melbourne Recital Centre, which she recently sold out. She recently supported artists Maple Glider, Dan Sultan, Jen Cloher, Clare Bowditch and Sarah Blasko. Her music has been featured in TV internationally in shows including Awkward, Teen Wolf, Saving Hope and in Australia on The Heights. She is currently writing music for a UK Feature film, and has reimagined Silverchair's 'Tomorrow' for TV show 'Playing Gracie Darling'

Eliza has also released several children books about disability titled 'Come Over To My House' and 'The World We Can Build' as well as a book on parenting 'We've Got This' which has been released internationally.

Sarah-Mace Dennis – National Director, Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA)

Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA) is Australia’s national gateway for arts and disability culture. Combining the knowledge of seven arts and disability organisations from across the nation, the consortium is one of the delivery partners leading initiatives and improving access and inclusion across creative industries and workplaces, as part of the Australian Government’s Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan.

Sarah-Mace Dennis is National Director of ADNA. An interdisciplinary creative leader, she brings two decades of experience working internationally across the arts, education, screen and community engagement sectors. Her leadership approach is informed by her lived experience of traumatic brain injury, and her ongoing creative research into the relationship between perception, language, and identity. As National Director, Sarah is working collaboratively with ADNA to listen to and respond to d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers depth of experience, creative knowledge and interests. Together, they will draw on their communities’ insights to inform the development of disability-led, allied and inclusive culture across the country.

Liz Martin (MC) – CEO, Accessible Arts

With over 25 years of experience in the arts and disability sectors, Liz is a leading expert in disability-related access and inclusion, an award-winning musician, and a passionate advocate for authentically representative, diverse, and accessible arts and cultural sectors.

Currently, Liz serves as CEO of Accessible Arts NSW and sits on the Create NSW Community and Cultural Development Board and the Sydney Festival Access Committee. She has previously held leadership roles, including Deputy Chair of Arts Access Australia and member of Create NSW’s Contemporary Music Board.

In addition to her advocacy work, Liz is an accomplished musician, having released six albums, collaborated widely, and performed at prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Hall, and various major festivals.

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW. This hybrid event has been made possible with support of the City of Sydney, Sydney Opera House and Livecrowd.

ENDS

Image description: Collage of headshots of the panellists and MC (from left to right): Sarah-Mace Dennis, Eliza Hull (photo by Josh Rodgers), Uncle Paul Calcott and Liz Martin (photo by Megan O’Brien).