Access Arts
Access Arts is a Queensland nonprofit (part of CPL Group) that delivers visual and performing arts workshops, exhibitions, grants, and the Undercover Artist Festival for artists with disability, operating as a registered NDIS service provider since 1984.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersMeringa, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Access Arts does
Access Arts is a Queensland, Australia nonprofit (legally Access Arts CPL Ltd, a company limited by guarantee) that has delivered arts programs, workshops, and mentoring to artists with disability since 1984. It operates a portfolio of programs including year-round visual arts workshops (Mixed Media, Textile Art, Arts Business), performing arts workshops (including the Theatre and Dance Ensemble), Commotion Workshops, the Brisbane Outsider Artists' Studio (a self-directed studio program for experienced artists), and the Undercover Artist Festival — an annual showcase of disability-led performing arts held as part of Brisbane Festival. In 2024 it acquired Screech Arts to deepen its performing-arts capability, with the two set to operate as a unified program from 2026.
Access Arts is a registered NDIS service provider authorised to deliver Assistance with Social & Community Participation, meaning participant workshop fees can be paid through plan-managed, self-managed, or NDIA-managed NDIS plans. Beyond NDIS-funded service fees, the organisation receives revenue from Queensland Government grants via Arts Queensland, project funding from Australia Council for the Arts, and corporate sponsorship (KPMG Brisbane has sponsored for 10+ years). It also administers outbound grant programs — the annual Access Arts Achievement Award (up to $10,000) and the SAFE Grant (up to $1,000) — and accepts donations via a Raisely fundraising platform.
Since 2019 Access Arts has operated as part of the CPL Group (Choice, Passion, Life), one of Queensland's leading disability service providers, which provides operational stability and integration with the broader disability services infrastructure. The organisation operates from the Access Arts Studio at 50 Shottery Street, Yeronga (on Jagera Country), serves Queensland (with some online national reach via Sync Leadership Australia), and counts Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, as its patron. Headcount is in the 11–50 band; specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Access Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Access Arts
- Legal name
- Access Arts CPL Ltd
- Website
- https://accessarts.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Access Arts is a Queensland nonprofit (part of CPL Group) that delivers visual and performing arts workshops, exhibitions, grants, and the Undercover Artist Festival for artists with disability, operating as a registered NDIS service provider since 1984.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Access Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Arts and Community Participation Services
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)
Keywords
Where Access Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Meringa
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Access Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- NDIS Service Payments: Access Arts is a registered NDIS service provider registered to provide services under Assistance with Social & Community Participation. Revenue comes from NDIS plan managers, self-managing participants, and NDIA-managed plans for workshop attendance.
- Grants and Sponsorship: Access Arts receives grant funding from government bodies (Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Australia Council for the Arts) and corporate sponsorship (KPMG Brisbane) to fund programs and artist opportunities.
- Artist Grant Programs: Access Arts distributes grants to artists with disability including the Achievement Award (up to $10,000) and SAFE Grant (up to $1,000) to support artistic career development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | NDIS-funded workshops for participants with disability |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Access Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Access Arts is a non-profit disability arts organization that delivers visual and performing arts workshops, artist development programs, grants, and exhibitions for artists with disability in Queensland, Australia. It is a registered NDIS service provider (Assistance with Social and Community Participation), enabling participants with NDIS plans to fund workshop attendance through plan managers, self-managed plans, or NDIA-managed plans. Programs include visual arts workshops (Mixed Media, Textile Art, Brisbane Outsider Artists' Studio, Arts Business), performing arts workshops, Commotion Workshops, the Screech Arts program, the annual Undercover Artist Festival, and grant programs (Achievement Award up to $10,000; SAFE Grant up to $1,000).
Product overview
Access Arts is Queensland's acknowledged leader for arts and disability, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services. The core offerings include Visual Arts Workshops (Mixed Media, Brisbane Outsider Artists' Studio, Textile Art, and Arts Business programs) and Performing Arts Workshops for artists with disability. Additional services include Commotion Workshops, NDIS-registered support services, and a Free Workshop Trial for new participants. The organization administers grants including the Access Arts Achievement Award ($10,000 annual) and SAFE Grant (up to $1,000 rapid response funding). The Screech Arts Program, merged in 2024, provides disability-led performing arts. Access Arts also produces the Undercover Artist Festival and manages an Events Calendar for accessible arts activities. In 2026, Access Arts and Screech Arts will unify under one inclusive program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Brisbane Outsider Artists (BOA): Studio program for experienced artists with disability wishing to hone their artistic style with opportunities to exhibit and sell their art
- Undercover Artist Festival
- Screech Arts
- Commotion Workshops
- Access Arts Achievement Award
- SAFE Grant
- Sync Leadership Australia
Products and services
- Visual Arts Workshops Year-round accessible visual arts workshops for artists with disability, including Mixed Media, Brisbane Outsider Artists' Studio (BOA), Textile Art, and Arts Business programs. Suitable for beginners through experienced artists, with materials provided by Access Arts.
- Performing Arts Workshops Year-round performing arts programs providing creative outlet for participants to express themselves through movement or music, including theatre and dance ensemble workshops.
- Commotion Workshops Workshop programs for artists with disability focusing on creative expression and skill development through performance-based activities.
- Brisbane Outsider Artists (BOA) Studio Self-directed studio program for experienced artists with disability wishing to hone their artistic style and exhibit or sell their art. Provides guidance, materials, and exhibition opportunities; requires interview and portfolio review for admission.
- Access Arts Achievement Award Annual $10,000 award supporting Queensland artists with disability to create, develop, present, produce, exhibit, and tour their work. Sponsored by CPL.
- SAFE Grant Rapid response funding scheme offering up to $1,000 for Queensland artists with disability to access training, conferences, mentoring, or other professional development opportunities.
- Sync Leadership Australia Online Program Online leadership and coaching program exploring leadership for people with disability in arts, culture, heritage and media. Combines leadership theory with one-on-one coaching and support, delivered nationally across Australia.
- Undercover Artist Festival Annual festival showcasing disability-led, professional performing arts work. Founded by Access Arts in 2015, part of Brisbane Festival, celebrating artists with disability.
- Screech Arts Program Performing arts program focused on disability-led storytelling, physical theatre, and creative excellence, including productions such as PUSH and Wired Differently. In 2026, merges with Access Arts to provide unified workshops, performances, and creative development opportunities.
- NDIS Services Registered NDIS service provider offering Assistance with Social & Community Participation. Supports plan managers, self-managing and NDIA-managed participants to use NDIS funding for Access Arts workshop attendance.
- Free Workshop Trial Free one-day trial opportunity for potential participants to experience workshops before enrolling.
- Paws, Claws, Fins, Wings & Seedlings Exhibition Group exhibition celebrating creatures, textures, and unseen forces exploring connection, memory, and life in all its forms, by Access Arts artists with disability.
- Illuminate Exhibition Art exhibition running 2 July – 30 September 2026, featuring artwork by artists with disability.
Companies that use Access Arts
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Access Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Access Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- ArtPara (Milan 2026)minorInternational exhibition presented as part of the Cultural Olympiad connected to Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Five Brisbane Outsider Artists selected to exhibit.
- Screech ArtscoreIn 2024, Screech Arts joined Access Arts to further extend expertise in building and growing community performing arts. The organizations continue to work together to create a strong foundation of creativity and inclusion.
- Sync Leadership (UK)coreSync Leadership Australia Online Program is presented by Sync Leadership (UK) and Access Arts. Founded by Sarah Pickthall and Jo Verrent, two disabled leaders from the UK, the program explores leadership for people with disability in arts, culture, heritage and media.
- CPL Group (Choice, Passion, Life)coreIn 2019, Access Arts joined CPL Group to further their commitment to providing quality arts programs for people with disability. This partnership provides stability, certainty, and new opportunities for Access Arts, their workforce, and participants. CPL Group is one of Queensland's leading disability service providers.
- Brisbane PowerhousemajorAccess Arts exhibitions regularly held at Brisbane Powerhouse venue, including 'Visitors' exhibition in Underground Foyer.
- St Andrew's War Memorial HospitalmajorRegular exhibition venue for Access Arts artists including 'Dancing Colours', 'Time', 'Dreams', 'Earth Footprint' exhibitions on Level 3 of the hospital.
- CootharingaminorPartnership with Cootharinga to present MERRY-GO-ROUND circus and dance workshop in Townsville for people with disability.
- Casus CreationsminorWorld class Queensland artists who led MERRY-GO-ROUND dance and circus workshop.
- DancenorthminorQueensland dance company that contributed facilitators to MERRY-GO-ROUND workshop program.
- Circus PandemoniumminorTownsville's local circus organization involved in MERRY-GO-ROUND workshop delivery.
- Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO)minorCollaboration between Access Arts and QYO resulted in artist Chantal Simpson performing alongside the full Queensland Youth Orchestra 3 at The Old Museum Concert Hall.
- Zen Zen Zo Physical TheatreminorCo-produced 'Wired Differently' show with Access Arts Screech Arts Program for Undercover Artist Festival 2025.
- Queensland TheatreminorVenue partner for 'Wired Differently' production as part of Undercover Artist Festival 2025.
- Arts Access AustraliamajorNational peak body for arts and disability. Madeleine Little (Access Arts) sits on the board of Arts Access Australia.
- Auslan ServicesminorNationally recognized agency providing support services for Deaf Australians, recommended as resource by Access Arts.
- Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of QueenslandminorHer Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, is the Patron of Access Arts for the duration of her term in office.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Access Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Northcott: Large NSW-based disability services nonprofit offering NDIS accommodation, allied health, and community participation. Comparable as a multi-state disability services benchmark for NDIS revenue model and operational scale.
- CPL Group (Choice, Passion, Life): Access Arts' parent organization and one of Queensland's leading disability service providers. Comparable as a broader disability services platform providing operational scale and infrastructure.
- Arts Access Australia: National peak body for arts and disability, administering national awards and policy advocacy. Access Arts' leadership (Madeleine Little) sits on its board, making it a combined governance peer and national umbrella.
Emerging players
- Bus Stop Films: Disability-led film and screen organization delivering accessible filmmaking programs for people with intellectual disability. Comparable audience and inclusion mission, but specialized in screen rather than visual/performing arts.
- Dancenorth: Queensland-based contemporary dance company that collaborated with Access Arts on MERRY-GO-ROUND. Comparable on performing arts programming in Queensland, though not disability-specific.
Others
- Expression Australia: National Deaf-led organization providing Auslan support, advocacy, and community services. Referenced by Access Arts as a resource; overlapping on disability services infrastructure and accessibility advocacy.
- Brisbane Powerhouse: Major Brisbane arts venue presenting exhibitions and festivals; Access Arts regularly exhibits in its Underground Foyer. Comparable as a Queensland arts ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.
Direct peers
- Arts Access Victoria: Victoria's disability arts organization running workshops, grants, awards (including the Stella Young Award), and advocacy. A clear state-level peer with overlapping program structure and grant-making.
- Accessible Arts: NSW-based peak body and service provider for disability and the arts, operating programs, workshops, and advocacy similar to Access Arts but in a different state. Directly comparable as a state-equivalent disability arts provider.
- Tutti Arts: South Australian multi-artform disability arts organization delivering visual arts, performing arts, and music programs supported by NDIS. Directly comparable in mission, program mix, and funding model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Access Arts social profiles
Digital presenceAccess Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Access Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Access Arts subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Access Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Access 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 Access Arts
What does Access Arts do?
Access Arts is a non-profit disability arts organization that delivers visual and performing arts workshops, artist development programs, grants, and exhibitions for artists with disability in Queensland, Australia. It is a registered NDIS service provider (Assistance with Social and Community Participation), enabling participants with NDIS plans to fund workshop attendance through plan managers, self-managed plans, or NDIA-managed plans. Programs include visual arts workshops (Mixed Media, Textile Art, Brisbane Outsider Artists' Studio, Arts Business), performing arts workshops, Commotion Workshops, the Screech Arts program, the annual Undercover Artist Festival, and grant programs (Achievement Award up to $10,000; SAFE Grant up to $1,000).
Is Access Arts a public or private company?
Access Arts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Access Arts founded?
Access Arts was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Access Arts based?
Access Arts is headquartered in Meringa, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Access Arts make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. NDIS Service Payments are the primary driver. The others are grants and Sponsorship and artist Grant Programs.
Who are Access Arts's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Northcott, CPL Group (Choice, Passion, Life) and Arts Access Australia. Emerging players are Bus Stop Films and Dancenorth. Others are Expression Australia and Brisbane Powerhouse. Direct peers are Arts Access Victoria, Accessible Arts and Tutti Arts.
Does Access Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Access Arts.
What industry is Access Arts in?
Access Arts's product category is Disability Arts and Community Participation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs, with a secondary code of EDALAFAN, Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services. Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8600.