Arts Access Victoria
Arts Access Victoria is a non-profit disability-led arts organization founded in 1974 that serves Deaf and Disabled artists through studios, mentoring, grants, festivals, and training. It operates as Victoria's peak body for arts and disability and as a registered NDIS provider.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersSouth Melbourne, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Arts Access Victoria does
Arts Access Victoria (AAV), trading as Arts Access Society Inc, is a non-profit incorporated association established in 1974 in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and is Victoria's state peak body for arts and disability. The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of disability-led programs serving Deaf and Disabled artists across visual arts, film, music, performing arts, writing, and digital media, including studio programs (Artstop NDIS Studio, Art About, Art Day South, Echo Collective, Film Club, Get Out!, Way Out West, Nimbus, SRS Studios), one-on-one mentoring, grants and auspicing support, professional development (Nexus, Maker Space, Front & Centre), awards (Stella Young Award, Lesley Hall Scholarship, Amplify Award), and festivals (The Other Film Festival since 2004, Alter State since 2021). Its flagship technology platform is a WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant website integrated with the UserWay accessibility widget, virtual gallery infrastructure powered by Kunstmatrix, and Stripe-based payment processing for artwork and merchandise transactions.
AAV generates revenue primarily through federal and state government grants, NDIS service payments as a registered NDIS provider (number 4050007492), philanthropic donations, and event/workshop income. In FY2020, total revenue from ordinary activities was $2,690,573 AUD, of which government grants accounted for approximately $2.4M AUD ($1,031,785 operational plus $1,368,758 project funding from Creative Victoria), with the remaining balance from activities income, donations, and other sources. The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging 84 strategic partnerships with arts organizations, councils, and disability services, plus recurring touchpoints such as The Gathering monthly networking events, TOFF, and Choose Art Directory. Customer segments span Deaf and Disabled artists (primary), young Deaf and Disabled people aged 12-25, NDIS participants, and arts/cultural organizations seeking accessibility consultancy and training.
AAV operates in a niche role as both service provider and sector convener, anchored by fully disability-led governance achieved in 2021. Its cost base is supported by approximately 50 employees, an active volunteer board (Chair Amanda Lawrie-Jones, CEO Caroline Bowditch), and digital delivery channels that extend reach beyond in-person studios across South Melbourne, Brunswick, Footscray, and Frankston. The organization reinvests operational surpluses into programs, with FY2020 showing a $106,148 surplus.
Arts Access Victoria firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Arts Access Victoria
- Legal name
- Arts Access Society Inc trading as Arts Access Victoria
- Website
- https://artsaccess.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Arts Access Victoria is a non-profit disability-led arts organization founded in 1974 that serves Deaf and Disabled artists through studios, mentoring, grants, festivals, and training. It operates as Victoria's peak body for arts and disability and as a registered NDIS provider.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Arts Access Victoria industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Arts Services
- NAICS
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510), Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC)
Keywords
Where Arts Access Victoria is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Arts Access Victoria business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Grants: Major revenue stream from federal and state government grants including operational grants from Creative Victoria, project-specific funding from Screen Australia (3-year festival funding), and various local council partnerships.
- NDIS Service Payments: Registered NDIS provider delivering arts services to participants including studio programs, mentoring, and skill development under NDIS plans.
- Donations and Private Sector Income: Charitable donations from individuals and private sector supporters, including philanthropy and corporate giving.
- Event and Activity Income: Revenue from ticket sales, workshops, and program activities including The Other Film Festival and other events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | NDIS-funded arts services for registered participants |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grant and scholarship funding for eligible artists |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Arts Access Victoria product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Arts Access Victoria delivers disability-led arts programs and services for Deaf and Disabled artists, including The Other Film Festival (Australia's first international disability film festival, since 2004), multiple studio programs across Melbourne and regional Victoria, one-on-one mentoring, NDIS-registered arts services, training and consultancy for arts organizations, grants auspicng, and the Alter State disability-led arts festival. The organization also runs industry awards/scholarships (Stella Young Award, Lesley Hall Scholarship), the Choose Art accessible arts directory, and produces accessibility resources (Touch Tours, Captioning, Raw Law).
Product overview
Arts Access Victoria is Victoria's peak body for arts and disability, established in 1974. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of disability-led arts programs and services. Core offerings include The Other Film Festival (Australia's first international disability film festival since 2004) and multiple studio programs (Artstop NDIS Studio, Art About, Art Day South, Echo Collective, Film Club, Get Out!, Way Out West, Nimbus, SRS Studios) providing creative spaces across visual arts, music, performance, film, and digital media. Artist development services include Mentoring Program, Grants and Auspicing support, Accelerate Grants Program, and the Amplify Award. Recognition programs include the Stella Young Award and Lesley Hall Scholarship. The organization runs Alter State festival, monthly networking through The Gathering, and professional training programs. Accessibility resources include Touch Tours, Captioning, and Talking About Disability guides. NDIS planning services help artists access funding, while Raw Law provides legal information for creatives. The organization publishes workbooks including Art for Everyone and Art Form, and conducts research through Music Makers. Maker Space and Nexus programs support young artists, while Choose Art directory connects audiences to accessible arts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Other Film Festival (TOFF): A groundbreaking disability-led international film festival that has positioned Deaf and Disabled people at the centre of the Australian screen industry since 2004.
Products and services
- The Other Film Festival (TOFF) A groundbreaking disability-led international film festival operating year-round with screening, industry, and community program streams, hybrid in-person and online delivery, for Deaf and Disabled filmmakers and audiences.
- Studio Programs Multiple studio programs providing creative arts spaces for Deaf and Disabled artists across visual arts, music, performance, film, and digital media, delivered in-person at Melbourne/regional Victoria locations and online, with NDIS funding support.
- Mentoring Program One-on-one mentoring relationships connecting Deaf and Disabled artists with mentors to achieve individual artistic goals, supporting career development from emerging to established artists.
- Alter State Disability-led arts festival featuring performances, exhibitions, and events serving as an alternative major events platform for Deaf and Disabled artists.
- The Gathering Monthly online networking event via Zoom connecting Deaf and Disabled artists and arts workers to Arts Access Victoria and the wider arts and culture sector.
- NDIS Arts Services Registered NDIS provider services helping people with disability understand and plan for NDIS funding to access arts programs and creative services, including Plan for Art guidance and direct service delivery.
- Training and Consultancy Workplace training and consultancy programs covering accessible arts practice, disability awareness, and creating welcoming environments for Deaf and Disabled people, delivered to arts organizations, venues, and councils.
- Choose Art Directory Australia's accessible arts directory helping Deaf and Disabled people find accessible arts events, venues, and opportunities nationwide.
- Maker Space Program Creative workshop program for young Deaf and Disabled people aged 12-25 covering visual arts, digital arts, performance, and crafts, delivered across regional Victoria.
- Nexus Professional Development Free professional development program for young Deaf and Disabled people who want to build a career in the arts.
- Front & Centre Professional development program for artists at any skill or career level, designed for and by Deaf and Disabled people.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,300+ artists supported annually
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Arts Access Victoria
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Arts Access Victoria technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Arts Access Victoria partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and supporting.
- City of Port PhillipmajorPartnership to deliver THRIVE Creative Grants funding program for Deaf and Disabled artists. Includes rent relief support and joint delivery of Art Day South public art projects.
- Lucy Guerin IncmajorNew partnership announced 2020 for collaborative arts projects supporting disability-led practice in Melbourne's dance and performance sector.
- Arts HousemajorCollaborated on Disability Action Plan development resulting in advisory group with Deaf and Disabled presence. Made-shift creative development program created with 16% Deaf and Disabled applicants.
- Arts Law Centre of AustraliasupportingLegal partner for Raw Law factsheet series providing accessible legal information for creative people with disability.
- Middletons Law FirmsupportingLegal partner supporting Raw Law project providing legal information for creative people.
- The Wheeler CentremajorPartner for disability and storytelling panel events including 'Future in Retrograde' and 'Digital Futures' as part of TOFF's industry programming.
- Emerging Writers FestivalmajorPartner for disability-led screen industry panels including 'Platform' and 'In The Writers Room' writing for screen programs.
- Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)majorPartner for 'Maddy the Model' Red Carpet Extravaganza event and Choose Film research project targeting disengaged audiences.
- Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)majorPartner in Choose Film research project and disability screen accessibility initiatives.
- The Dax CentresupportingPartner for AAV Mentoring Program exhibition 'Embrace' showcasing mentee works.
- Melbourne Fringe FestivalsupportingPartnership for Nimbus Studio online exhibition 'Ether' during Melbourne Fringe Festival 2020.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Arts Access Victoria competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Arts Access Victoria social profiles
Digital presenceArts Access Victoria compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Arts Access Victoria financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Arts Access Victoria leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Arts Access Victoria funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Arts Access Victoria 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 Arts Access Victoria
What does Arts Access Victoria do?
Arts Access Victoria delivers disability-led arts programs and services for Deaf and Disabled artists, including The Other Film Festival (Australia's first international disability film festival, since 2004), multiple studio programs across Melbourne and regional Victoria, one-on-one mentoring, NDIS-registered arts services, training and consultancy for arts organizations, grants auspicng, and the Alter State disability-led arts festival. The organization also runs industry awards/scholarships (Stella Young Award, Lesley Hall Scholarship), the Choose Art accessible arts directory, and produces accessibility resources (Touch Tours, Captioning, Raw Law).
Is Arts Access Victoria a public or private company?
Arts Access Victoria is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Arts Access Victoria founded?
Arts Access Victoria was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Arts Access Victoria based?
Arts Access Victoria is headquartered in South Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Arts Access Victoria make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are NDIS Service Payments, donations and Private Sector Income and event and Activity Income.
Does Arts Access Victoria have an API?
No public API is recorded for Arts Access Victoria.
What industry is Arts Access Victoria in?
Arts Access Victoria's product category is Disability Arts Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 711510 and its SIC code is 7812.