Professional Career Development in the Arts Management of Supported Studios in Australia

Abstract

This article examines ways of enabling the professional development of artists with cognitive disability who wish to build an artistic career in Australia. It investigates two case studies of the arts management of supported studios through semi-structured interviews with art staff. Thematic analysis indicates four aspects of professional development for artists with cognitive disability at individual and organizational levels: environmental setting, strategic approaches, networking, and skills and career development. The article discusses the central role of supported studios and art staff in helping artists with cognitive disability achieve their aims to pursue professional artistic careers.

Keywords:

• Professional career development
• artists with cognitive disability
• arts management
• supported studio

Acknowledgments

This article acknowledges the art staff who shared their precious time and experiences for this study, which will contribute to making arts management in Australian society more inclusive and innovative.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Funding

This study was self-funded by the author.

Notes

1 The Supported Studio Network (SSN) is a national body that pursues building capacity and strengthening connections to sustain diverse supported studio models for artists with cognitive disability in Australia: https://www.artsproject.org.au/supported-studios-network-forum-2017/

2 The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the national disability policy in Australia introduced in 2013 (Commonwealth of Australia 2013).

3 The National Arts and Disability Strategy is the first national cultural strategy for people with disability introduced in 2009 (Commonwealth of Australia 2009).