A World Shaped by (Disabled) Artists

Next Wave imagines a world shaped by artists, but what might a world shaped by disabled artists look like? Next Wave is an experimental arts organisation based in Melbourne, that supports artists to dream, connect, exchange ideas and develop new skills for themselves and their creative practice. It is intergenerational and prioritises relationships and development over presentation and outcome. In Australia, 1 in 5 people identify as disabled. It is a statistic that is regularly quoted, but rarely considered in its complexity. This paper shares insights into the arts and disability sector in Australia and draws on the writers’ experience as a non-disabled producer, advocate and ally for disability rights in the arts. This paper explores ideas around re- evaluating productivity pace, embracing meaningful connections through 'nongkrong' (hanging out), prioritising care in a society that values competition over community, and shares a vision for a world shaped by disabled artists.