What’s all the Commotion about?
Earlier this year, Access Arts and Undercover Artist launched Commotion 2026 – a pilot professional and creative development program supporting artists with disability and/or who are d/Deaf to build skills, develop new work and explore where their creative practice could take them next.
Building skills online
Commotion began in May with four online professional development workshops for artists and arts workers.
The workshops explored practical skills including CV and biography writing, Cultural Safety in creative workplaces, grant writing and creative development planning.
The online program was made possible through Inclusive Arts Project, funded by the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA).
These courses have given me so much confidence to get my name out there... I've reactivated my ABN so I can get on with grant writing. It's amazing.
Bringing Commotion together
Following the online workshops, Commotion artists came together in person on Thursday 27 August at the Thomas Dixon Centre for the Commotion Open Day.
Drawing approximately 60 attendees across the full day we hope to build those numbers as Commotion becomes a staple in the arts and disability community.
With support from our friends at Queensland Ballet, artists had access to time and space to develop their works-in-progress, learn from each other and connect with people from across the arts and disability sector.
Starting the day with mime
The day kicked off with a mime workshop led by d/Deaf artist James Kerwin, who recently undertook his own professional development studying mime in Italy.
James introduced the group to the techniques behind mime and gave artists the chance to put them into practice. From creating convincing movements to lifting an invisible boulder, the workshop showed there’s a lot more to mime than meets the eye!
Connecting with the wider arts community
At the same time, members of the Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA) consortium were meeting at the Thomas Dixon Centre to discuss issues affecting the arts and disability sector and opportunities to work together.
Access Arts is a proud member of ADNA alongside arts and disability organisations from across Australia.
This created a valuable opportunity to bring the two groups together, with ADNA delegates and other industry guests invited to an exclusive showing of two Commotion works-in-progress.
Sharing works-in-progress
Led by Rebecca Dostal and Lynette Stevenson, The Phatt Zeroes shared scenes from their developing work, The Shape of Life.
Inspired by artist Tara’s life and perspectives, the showing gave audiences an insight into the group’s creative process, their intentions for the work and where they hope to take the project next.
James Kerwin then presented a new mime work he is developing for young children. For the artists who had taken part in his workshop earlier that day, it was a chance to see many of the techniques they had just explored brought together in a performance.
Networking Lunch
The day finished with a relaxed networking lunch for artists, ADNA delegates and industry guests. It created space for conversations, new connections and artists to spend time with peers and people working across the sector.
What’s next for Commotion?
Commotion evolved from the previous Undercover Artist Development Program, with 2026 giving us the opportunity to pilot a new approach.
We wanted to learn more about what artists need and how Access Arts and Undercover Artist can support the development of new work by artists with disability and/or who are d/Deaf.
Commotion also creates a pathway towards opportunities such as Undercover Artist Festival.
Commotion 2026 has given us plenty to build on, and we’re excited to explore how the program can grow in 2027.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching a fundraising campaign to help make the next chapter of Commotion possible and create more professional and creative development opportunities for disabled and d/Deaf artists and arts workers in Queensland.
Follow Access Arts and Undercover Artist on social media to see what’s next.
Your gracious and generous support of the Arts continues to motivate me to improve my work. Thank you for always going above and beyond.
With Thanks
Commotion 2026 was made possible with the support of our partners and community.
Thank you to the National Ethnic Disability Alliance for Inclusive Arts Project Funding supporting our online workshops, and to Queensland Ballet and Arts Queensland for supporting access to the Thomas Dixon Centre for our residency and Commotion Open Day.
