What Access2Arts does

Access2Arts is a not-for-profit incorporated association and the peak body for arts and disability in South Australia, headquartered in Adelaide with 12 staff. Incorporated in 2013 after emerging from a 2009 Disability Arts Transition Team project within Arts SA, the organization operates as a disability-led entity where staff and at least 51% of board members identify as Deaf or disabled, giving all services an authentic lived-experience foundation. Its portfolio is structured around four interconnected pillars: (1) Access Services — Australia's first professional live audio description service delivered via wireless transmission during dialogue pauses and scene changes, plus Auslan interpreting, captioning, equipment hire, downloadable accessibility symbols, and consultancy; (2) Arts Development — artist profiles, interviews, funding advice, and grant auspicing at a 10% fee on budgets administered on behalf of individual artists; (3) Projects — including The Exquisite Familiar, Make it Happen Producer Podcasts, The Heart Beat Club, Beats Workshops, and the Next Level Creative Mentorship Program delivered with 12+ performing arts partners; and (4) Community-facing tools such as an events listing portal and artist opportunities board.

The organization monetizes through a blended non-profit revenue model rather than a single pricing architecture. Government grants from CreateSA, Creative Australia, and Create NSW underwrite operational and project costs; fee-for-service audio description and Auslan work is charged on custom quotes; structured training courses run at A$1,350+GST (e.g., the audio description course); donations are tax-deductible above A$2 with preset tiers at A$15/A$50/A$100/A$250; equipment hire is inquiry-based; and auspicing services carry a 10% take rate on grant budgets. Distribution combines direct service delivery to arts organisations with regional partnerships (Adelaide Fringe, Art Gallery of South Australia, MOD. Museum), online training delivery, and digital content marketing via website, social media, the Artorial newsletter, and the Make it Happen podcast.

The customer base spans more than 50 organisations across the Australian cultural sector — including State Theatre Company of SA, Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Museum Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, Yarra City Council, Tutti Arts, Restless Dance Theatre, Company AT, Guide Dogs SA/NT, Monkey Baa, Windmill, Brink Productions, and Slingsby — alongside individual d/Deaf and disabled artists and audiences. Geographic operations centre on South Australia with expanding reach into NSW, NT and ACT through the Next Level Creative Mentorship Program, and selective international collaboration with UK partners Unlimited, Watershed, and Vocal Eyes UK on projects such as Unfixed.

Name

Access2Arts

Legal name

Access2Arts

Website

https://access2arts.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Access2Arts is a disability-led, not-for-profit arts development agency in Adelaide, South Australia that delivers Australia's first professional live audio description service, Auslan interpreting, training, equipment hire, and artist development programs to d/Deaf and disabled artists, arts organisations, and audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Arts and Accessibility Services

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Assistive Listening & Accessibility AV Infrastructure (Hearing loops, captioning hardware) (EDAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Disability arts services
• Audio description services
• Auslan interpreting
• Arts access training
• Accessibility consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide, South Australia

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from government bodies including Creative Australia, CreateSA (Government of South Australia), and Create NSW. Grants support operational costs and specific projects.
2. Fee-for-Service Access Services: Audio description services provided on a fee-for-service basis to arts organisations. Custom quotes for jobs in various mediums and artforms.
3. Training Programs: Revenue from training courses including audio description training at $1350 + GST. Also offers disability access and inclusion training.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organisations. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
5. Equipment Hire: Hire of accessible equipment including portable ramps, tactile surface indicators, wheelchair chargers, and audio description equipment.
6. Auspicing Services: 10% fee on grant budgets for auspicing services, where Access2Arts manages funds on behalf of individual artists for grants that require organisational administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Access2Arts delivers professional audio description, Auslan interpreting, captioning, disability access and inclusion training, accessibility consultancy and equipment hire to arts and cultural organisations across Australia. It also supports d/Deaf and disabled artists through profile listings, funding advice, grant auspicing, mentorship programs, creative projects and free training workshops, funded by government grants, service fees and tax-deductible donations.

Product overview

Access2Arts is a disability-led arts development agency and the peak body for arts and disability in South Australia. Its offering is a unified portfolio of programs and services under one organisational brand rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core portfolio spans four interconnected areas: (1) Access Services — Audio Description Services, Auslan and Captioning Services, Training and Consultancy (including Disability Access & Inclusion Training and Audio Description Training), Equipment Hire, and downloadable Accessibility Resources; (2) Arts Development — Artist Profiles platform, Artist Interviews content, Funding Advice and Auspicing, and Courses and Training Programs; (3) Projects — The Exquisite Familiar, Make it Happen Producer Podcasts, The Heart Beat Club, Beats Workshops, and the Next Level Creative Mentorship Program; and (4) Audience/Community — Events Listing and Promotion, Opportunities for Artists portal, and Donations. Products interconnect primarily through Access2Arts's role as a connective hub: artists discovered via profiles and interviews access funding, training, and project opportunities; organisations receiving consultancy services connect with profiled artists; and projects serve as hands-on skill-building extensions of the training offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audio Description Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting over 4.4 million Australians with disability to access arts
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Arts Access AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak national body for arts and disability. Access2Arts is an original member of Arts Access Australia, collaborating on national advocacy and sector development for disability arts.
• DADAA (Western Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading arts and health organisation creating access to cultural activities for people with disability or mental illness. Collaborates on disability arts initiatives.
• Arts Access VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState's leading arts and disability organisation established in 1974. Works on shared advocacy and sector development for disability arts across Australia.
• Access Arts (Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas been working to support people with disability or disadvantage for 35 years. Collaborates on national disability arts advocacy.
• Accessible Arts (NSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak arts and disability organisation for New South Wales. Co-delivers Next Level Creative Mentorship Program with Access2Arts.
• Adelaide FringeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together to make more Fringe shows accessible through audio description, Auslan interpretation, and other access features. Includes volunteer accessibility training and accessible event promotion.
• Tutti ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti arts organisation of learning-disabled artists. Collaborates on projects including Exquisite Familiar and audio description services.
• Restless Dance TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusive dance organisation informed by disability. Works with Access2Arts on accessibility and artist development.
• Company ATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutistic Theatre Company. Collaboration on autism-inclusive theatre projects and accessibility services.
• No String Attached Theatre of DisabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre company creating original work through unique perspectives of disabled artists. Collaborates on disability arts sector development.
• MindsharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline creative mental health community focusing on lived experience. Collaborates on mental health arts initiatives.
• ANAT (Australian Network for Art and Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports experimentation and innovation across art, science and technology. Collaboration on Unfixed project exploring art, disability and technology.
• Watershed (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural cinema and digital creativity centre in Bristol UK. Collaboration on Unfixed international project exploring art, disability and technology.
• Unlimited (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting disabled artists to develop, produce and show ambitious work internationally. International disability arts collaboration.
• Vocal Eyes UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with blind and partially sighted people to enhance engagement with arts through audio-description. International knowledge sharing.
• Auslan Stage LeftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnables and provides quality Auslan interpreted theatre, and training to interpreters and deaf consultants in theatre interpreting.
• Sprung DigicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent project partner helping learning disabled people get creative and connect with the world through digital technology.
• Sit Down Shut Up and Watch Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's premier film festival for films made by people with learning disability. Collaboration on accessibility and film projects.
• The Sisters of InventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectro-acoustic pop learning disabled girl group. Collaboration on disability arts projects and events.
• All Abilities Cheer and DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBringing together people with disabilities to express themselves through cheerleading and dance.
• MOD. MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum of discovery. Collaboration on Exquisite Familiar project and accessibility training for exhibition staff.
• Art Gallery of South AustraliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting Exquisite Familiar Regional exhibition. Collaboration on accessible gallery experiences and Deaf-led tours.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Unlimited (UK): UK-based organization supporting disabled artists to develop, produce, and show ambitious work internationally; directly comparable as an international disability-arts body collaborating with Access2Arts on cross-border projects.
• Arts Access Victoria: Victoria's leading arts and disability organisation (est. 1974); directly comparable in providing access services, advocacy, and artist development for disabled communities, with overlapping customer segments.
• Auslan Stage Left: Australia-based provider of quality Auslan interpreted theatre and training to interpreters and deaf consultants; closely comparable as a disability-arts access service provider with overlapping audiences and partner venues.
• Access Arts (Queensland): Queensland-based arts and disability organization (35+ years); comparable peer operating in the same state-based peak-body model and delivering overlapping services in access, training, and artist development.
• Arts Access Australia: National peak body for arts and disability in Australia; Access2Arts is an original member. Closest comparable as both operate as disability-led advocacy and service organizations serving the same mission across overlapping geographies.
• Vocal Eyes (UK): UK specialist in audio description for blind and partially sighted audiences at arts venues; one of Access2Arts' closest international peers given the shared core service (audio description) and overlapping customer base of arts organisations.
• DADAA (Western Australia): Leading arts and health organisation in Western Australia creating access to cultural activities for people with disability or mental illness; comparable mission, customer base, and arts-and-disability service portfolio.
• Accessible Arts (NSW): Peak arts and disability organisation for NSW; co-delivers the Next Level Creative Mentorship Program with Access2Arts. Comparable in scope, audience, and service mix including access services, training, and artist development.

Broad incumbents

• Audio Description Associates: US-based audio description services provider for theatre, museums, and media; comparable as an established audio description specialist in a different geography, indicating the broader commercial model for Access2Arts' core service.

Regional players

• Restless Dance Theatre: Adelaide-based inclusive dance company informed by disability; comparable as a South Australian disability-arts organisation with overlapping audiences and active partnership relationship with Access2Arts, though focused on dance production rather than access services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/access2arts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2fUy-WEObV8xIEuOnHhLww
• Facebookfacebook.com/Access2Arts?fref=ts
• Instagraminstagram.com/access2arts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access2arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Access2Arts