Accessible Arts
Accessible Arts is a Sydney-based non-profit peak body delivering free professional development, mentorship, residency, and internship programs to artists and arts workers with disability across NSW and ACT, funded primarily by Create NSW.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Accessible Arts does
Accessible Arts is a Sydney-based non-profit peak body that advances professional careers and equitable access for artists and arts workers with disability or who are d/Deaf across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The organisation delivers a portfolio of free programs rather than a unified software product: the Advance Your Career professional development series upskills over 200 practitioners annually; the Next Level Creative Mentorships provide $3,000 project funding plus mentorship to roughly 10 artists per cohort; the Bundanon Artist in Residence Program funds up to five artists for 6-night residencies; the Createability Internship Program places up to 16 interns across NSW arts, screen, and music organisations; and the Ripple program delivers eight paid internships focused on culturally diverse artists with disability, in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia. Complementary offerings include disability, access, and inclusion training and consultancy for arts, cultural, and screen organisations, the Access Ideas and Insights hybrid events and Auslan-interpreted podcast series, the Frame Shift film program with Sydney Opera House, the Songsmiths songwriter development initiative, the "Are You Pulling My Leg?" accessible comedy tour, and the Admit All tiered accessibility framework for NSW live music venues.
Accessible Arts is funded principally by Create NSW (the NSW Government's arts and cultural funding body) with additional support from the federal government's Creative Australia, the City of Sydney, Screen NSW, Sound NSW, Bundanon, and tax-deductible public donations. All programs and services are delivered at no cost to eligible participants. The organisation reaches its audience through a community-led go-to-market motion combining its accessible website, e-newsletter, active social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), and cross-promotion via a deep partnership network spanning flagship cultural institutions (Sydney Opera House, Bangarra Dance Theatre), sector bodies (NAVA, ADNA, Diversity Arts Australia), and government agencies. Accessible Arts also participates in the Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA), the national consortium of state and territory peak bodies, supporting cross-jurisdictional coordination.
The underlying technology is non-proprietary: a content website with accessibility features (text-to-speech, contrast settings, font sizing, multilingual options) and a podcast distribution pipeline via SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. There are no proprietary models, no APIs, and no app. Leadership is headed by CEO Liz Martin, who brings over 25 years of arts-and-disability sector experience and prior board roles including Deputy Chair of Arts Access Australia and membership on Create NSW's Contemporary Music Board. The organisation operates with 26 employees.
Accessible Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Accessible Arts
- Legal name
- Accessible Arts
- Website
- https://aarts.net.au
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Accessible Arts is a Sydney-based non-profit peak body delivering free professional development, mentorship, residency, and internship programs to artists and arts workers with disability across NSW and ACT, funded primarily by Create NSW.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Accessible Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Disability Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Accessible Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Accessible Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Accessible Arts receives principal funding from Create NSW (NSW Government arts and culture funding body). Additional support comes from Creative Australia (federal government).
- Donations: The organisation accepts tax-deductible donations from the public to support programs like Bundanon Artist Residencies and the Advance Your Career professional development series.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free services for artists with disability |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Accessible Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Accessible Arts is NSW's peak arts and disability organisation that delivers free professional development, mentorship, residency, internship, and creative initiative programs to artists and arts workers with disability or who are d/Deaf. It complements these programs with paid Training Services and Consulting Services for arts, cultural, and screen organisations seeking to improve disability access and inclusion. Operations are primarily funded by Create NSW and Creative Australia and supported by tax-deductible public donations.
Product overview
Accessible Arts operates as NSW's peak arts and disability organization, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Training Services (disability and inclusion training for the arts sector), Consulting Services, and Artist Advisory Services. These are supplemented by professional development programs such as the Advance Your Career Series (workshops on fees, rights, access riders), the Next Level Creative Mentorships ($3000 funding plus mentorship), the Bundanon Artist in Residence Program, and internship initiatives (Ripple for culturally diverse disabled artists, Createability for broader arts/screen/music sectors). The organization also delivers public engagement through Access Ideas and Insights events and podcast series, accessible comedy shows, Songsmiths music program, and Frame Shift film program. The portfolio is funded primarily by Create NSW with strategic partnerships across the arts sector.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Training Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200 artists and arts workers with disability upskilled annually through Advance Your Career series.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Accessible Arts
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Accessible Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Accessible Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- BundanoncoreAnnual residency partnership delivering the Accessible Arts and Bundanon Artist-in-Residence Program for artists with disability. Up to 5 artists receive 6-night residencies at Bundanon Estate with bursaries.
- Diversity Arts AustraliacorePartnership for the Ripple: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program, supporting culturally diverse artists who are also d/Deaf or disabled.
- Sydney Opera HouseflagshipPartnership on Frame Shift film program and Access Ideas and Insights events exploring disability leadership.
- National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)corePartnership for Advance Your Career workshops on artists' rights, fees, and fair pay, introducing NAVA's Code of Practice for Visual Arts.
- Bangarra Dance TheatreflagshipPartnership for Access Ideas and Insights event on First Nations Storytelling, exploring Indigenous cultures, identity and empowerment.
- Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA)flagshipNational consortium of state and territory peak bodies for arts and disability. Accessible Arts is part of ADNA working to drive national collaboration and embed access across the cultural landscape.
- APRA AMCOSminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Senjuti Maitra.
- Performing LinesminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Anya.
- Tuggeranong Arts CentreminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Elena Akami Hammer.
- PHIVE ParramattaminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Mei Lin Meyers.
- Blue Mountains Cultural CentreminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Denise Nolasco.
- Chau Chak Wing MuseumminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Lara-Marie Wilkinson.
- Parramatta CouncilminorHost organisation for Ripple internship program intern Sione Puloka.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Accessible Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arts Access Victoria: Victoria's state peak arts and disability organisation. Directly comparable to Accessible Arts in mission (advancing disability access in the arts) and structure (program delivery, training, advocacy), but operating in a different state.
- Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA): National consortium of state and territory peak arts and disability bodies of which Accessible Arts is a member. Closely comparable as the coordinating body for the same mission at a national level.
- Diversity Arts Australia: Australia's peak body for cultural diversity in the arts, partnering with Accessible Arts on the Ripple internship program for culturally diverse artists who are also d/Deaf or disabled. It is directly comparable as a NSW/Australia-wide arts peak body running sector-development programs for under-represented communities.
- Access Arts (Queensland): Queensland's peak arts and disability organisation. Directly comparable mission and service mix (artist development, training, advocacy for artists with disability) within ADNA, serving a different Australian state.
Regional players
- Accessible Performing Arts (UK-based comparators, e.g., Shape Arts): UK arts-and-disability organisation delivering training, artist development and advocacy. Highly comparable mission and program mix but operating in a different geography (UK), making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Creative Australia: Federal government arts funding body that is both a funder and ecosystem shaper for Accessible Arts. Comparable as a sector-wide arts body, though at much larger scale and with a broader (rather than disability-focused) mandate.
- National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA): Australia's peak body for the visual arts sector and Accessible Arts partner on the Advance Your Career workshops. Comparable as a sector peak body, but broader in scope (all visual artists, not specifically disability) and larger in remit.
Others
- Bangarra Dance Theatre: First Nations dance company partnered with Accessible Arts on First Nations Storytelling events. Comparable as an arts partner engaging disability and cultural inclusion themes, but not a direct service competitor.
- Sydney Opera House (Accessibility Programs): Flagship partner on Frame Shift and Access Ideas & Insights. Comparable in delivering accessibility programming for artists and audiences with disability, though as part of a much broader venue and presenting organisation.
- City of Sydney (Cultural Programs): Local government partner supporting Access Ideas and Insights events and the podcast series. Comparable as a stakeholder in the arts-and-access ecosystem, though not a like-for-like service provider.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Accessible Arts social profiles
Digital presenceAccessible Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Accessible Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Accessible Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Accessible Arts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Accessible Arts
What does Accessible Arts do?
Accessible Arts is NSW's peak arts and disability organisation that delivers free professional development, mentorship, residency, internship, and creative initiative programs to artists and arts workers with disability or who are d/Deaf. It complements these programs with paid Training Services and Consulting Services for arts, cultural, and screen organisations seeking to improve disability access and inclusion. Operations are primarily funded by Create NSW and Creative Australia and supported by tax-deductible public donations.
Is Accessible Arts a public or private company?
Accessible Arts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Accessible Arts founded?
Accessible Arts was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Accessible Arts based?
Accessible Arts is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Accessible Arts make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are Accessible Arts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arts Access Victoria, Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA), Diversity Arts Australia and Access Arts (Queensland). Accessible Performing Arts (UK-based comparators, e.g., Shape Arts) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Creative Australia and National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA). Others are Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Opera House (Accessibility Programs) and City of Sydney (Cultural Programs).
Does Accessible Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Accessible Arts.
What industry is Accessible Arts in?
Accessible Arts's product category is Arts and Disability Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 61161.