Arts Project Australia this year celebrates a momentous milestone – its 50th birthday. Executive Director Liz Nowell explains how the Melbourne-based organisation has notched up its half-century and what’s in store for the future.
What is Arts Project Australia?
Arts Project Australia is a creative social enterprise dedicated to supporting artists with intellectual disabilities. We operate a studio program for over 150 visual artists, curate an annual artistic program through our Collingwood Yards gallery, and advocate for equal opportunities and representation for our artists in the contemporary art world.
What have been APA’s biggest achievements in its 50-year history?
Our achievements are reflected in those of our artists. Everything we do is in support of their dreams, aspirations, and goals. Looking back over 50 years, I think the fact that so many of our artists have achieved visibility, acclaim and built sustainable careers is testament to the importance and success of the organisation. That, and also the fact that Arts Project Australia is such a beloved part of the community.
How has the organisation evolved over this time?
What’s been fascinating to me is to learn how similar the organisation is today to when it was founded. Yes, a lot has changed practically. We have a much larger cohort of artists, our staff base has significantly grown, and we now own our building, but at its core, the organisation still very much honours its founding manifesto: that artists with disability should be accorded the same opportunities, representation and respect as their non-disabled peers. That clarity and constancy of vision is quite remarkable for an organisation that is five decades old.
Tell us about some of your artists and their achievements.
There are countless and listing them all would take a lifetime! When we talk about artistic achievements, there are obviously the big ones: sell out shows, international exhibitions, commercial representation, acquisitions by public museums. But there are also quieter achievements: the growing confidence in a young artist, the monumental sense of pride when someone sells their first work. These are just as significant, and as an organisation we celebrate all of our artists’ successes. That said, there have been some incredible milestones that are worth mentioning. For example, it was only last year that Lisa Reid and Mark Smith were selected as part of [the NGV exhibition] Melbourne Now; both Terry Williams and Alan Constable have had exhibitions in the US; and recently, a group of artists collaborated with fashion label Gorman to create a capsule collection.
APA is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises four-year funding. What has this enabled you to do?
Support from Creative Victoria cements our position as a leader in the visual arts sector, and this recognition is important given we have been a trailblazer in the field for five decades now. Beyond acknowledgment however, four-year funding has been essential for growing our artistic program and onsite offering at our Collingwood Yards gallery. The expansion of our exhibitions paired with our increased public program offering has seen our artists build new markets, new audiences and generate more income through their art practice.
What’s ahead for APA?
This year is our 50th anniversary and we have a year filled with events, exhibitions and programs celebrating this remarkable achievement. I’m particularly excited about a forthcoming exhibition at TarraWarra Museum of Art which features 13 artists from Arts Project Australia and will be accompanied by a publication and series of public programs. We’re also presenting work at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. later this year, and of course, our Annual Gala in December will be a highlight – with over 150 works available for purchase!
Arts Project Australia is supported by Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Program.
Find out what’s on at Arts Project Australia.