Arts Access Victoria

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.

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

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

• Disability arts programs
• NDIS arts services
• Disability arts festivals
• Artist mentoring grants
• Arts training consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

South Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. NDIS Service Payments: Registered NDIS provider delivering arts services to participants including studio programs, mentoring, and skill development under NDIS plans.
3. Donations and Private Sector Income: Charitable donations from individuals and private sector supporters, including philanthropy and corporate giving.
4. Event and Activity Income: Revenue from ticket sales, workshops, and program activities including The Other Film Festival and other events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and supporting.

• City of Port PhillipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 IncmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership announced 2020 for collaborative arts projects supporting disability-led practice in Melbourne's dance and performance sector.
• Arts HousemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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 AustraliasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal partner for Raw Law factsheet series providing accessible legal information for creative people with disability.
• Middletons Law FirmsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal partner supporting Raw Law project providing legal information for creative people.
• The Wheeler CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for disability and storytelling panel events including 'Future in Retrograde' and 'Digital Futures' as part of TOFF's industry programming.
• Emerging Writers FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for disability-led screen industry panels including 'Platform' and 'In The Writers Room' writing for screen programs.
• Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 'Maddy the Model' Red Carpet Extravaganza event and Choose Film research project targeting disengaged audiences.
• Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Choose Film research project and disability screen accessibility initiatives.
• The Dax CentresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for AAV Mentoring Program exhibition 'Embrace' showcasing mentee works.
• Melbourne Fringe FestivalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Nimbus Studio online exhibition 'Ether' during Melbourne Fringe Festival 2020.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArtsAccessVic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/artsaccessvictoria
• Facebookfacebook.com/artsaccessvictoria
• Instagraminstagram.com/artsaccessvic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arts-access-victoria

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Arts Access Victoria