The Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has partnered with the Ricky Stuart Foundation to expand its music program for autistic and neurodivergent young people across Canberra.

The Ricky Stuart Music Makers program, launched at Malkara School in Garran, will extend the CSO’s Diverse Abilities initiative to Malkara, Woden, Cranleigh and Black Mountain specialist schools over three years.

The partnership will include autism-specific training for CSO musicians and staff, access and inclusion planning and family days, with the orchestra aiming to develop a model that can eventually be shared with arts organisations nationally and internationally.

Ricky Stuart. Photo © Ari Schlumpp

Canberra Raiders coach and autism advocate Ricky Stuart said the program reflected his foundation’s commitment to creating greater inclusion and opportunity for people with autism and their families.

“This partnership is about saying to these young people ‘you belong here, this experience is for you, and your needs have been thought about’,” Stuart said.

US-based disability specialist in music Dr Alice Hammel, a senior adviser to the program, said music could provide significant benefits for neurodivergent children, including opportunities for communication, cooperation and self-expression.

Photo © Ari Schlumpp

The CSO’s Diverse Abilities program began in 2019, bringing small-group live music experiences into mainstream schools rather than requiring students to attend conventional concert settings.

CSO Community and Education Manager Donna Parkes said the new partnership would build on that approach by delivering performances in familiar, accessible environments.

The program may eventually expand to school leavers, with the CSO hoping to build confidence and familiarity that could encourage students and families to attend mainstream orchestral events.