Australia’s history of Disability Arts has been brought together for the first time in a new national digital archive celebrating five decades of creativity, advocacy and cultural change.

Disability Arts History Australia is an online resource documenting the work of d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists, organisations and allies across the past 50 years.

The archive allows users to explore more than 1,600 records and 49 in-depth artist interviews, with search tools spanning over 10,800 people, organisations and works nationwide.

Created with input from more than 100 artists and arts workers, the project was developed through a major Australian Research Council collaboration, supported by Creative Australia, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Curtin University, Arts Access Victoria and the University of Melbourne.

QUT Professor Bree Hadley, Chief Investigator on the project, said the archive captures the creative and cultural impact of Disability Arts movements across Australia.

“This is a resource built with our community, on our terms,” she said. “It documents the achievements of artists and the social change they’ve driven over five decades, while offering tools for future generations to build on that legacy.”

Caroline Bowditch. Photo © Mark Lobo/Arts Access Victoria

Artist and advocate Caroline Bowditch, a partner researcher and former CEO of Arts Access Victoria, described the archive as “a gift to the nation.”

“It honours the extraordinary contribution of d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists and makes their stories accessible,” she said. “By bringing together five decades of artistic innovation and advocacy, it lays the foundation for a more inclusive future.”

The free site offers curated histories, timelines, and accessible multimedia content, providing a unique resource for artists, organisations, policymakers and educators.

Explore the archive at: disabilityartshistoryaustralia.net