Internships open doors for creatives with disability

Create NSW’s Createability Internship Program invites applications for its 2024 program, opening the door for NSW artists and arts workers with a disability or who are d/Deaf to gain valuable paid experience and professional development and increase their networks in their chosen field.

Up to 10 interns will be selected in 2024 to work with host organisations in Regional NSW, Western Sydney and Sydney including ABC Children's original team, ABC (Compass), Animal Logic, Belvoir, Bronte Pictures, Erth Visual and Physical Inc, Legs on the Wall, Lingo Pictures, Musica Viva, The Orange Regional Conservatorium, Outloud, Performance Space, SBS Special Broadcasting Service, Sydney Theatre Company, Tantrum Youth Arts, and Varuna - The Eleanor Dark Foundation Limited.

The internship opportunities range from technical TV production roles, digital production, program research, behind-the-scenes theatre roles, to marketing, fundraising, audience development and event support. 

The Createability Internship Program is delivered through Create NSW and Screen NSW, in partnership with disability advocacy organisation Accessible Arts to grow pathways to employment for arts and screen practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf. Accessible Arts will provide training for host organisations and interns to improve access and inclusion, helping to remove the barriers people with disability often face in the workplace.

In 2023, Renee Allara completed an internship with Cementa Inc in Kandos, NSW and found the experience to be overwhelmingly positive, with her needs and specialised skills working in community arts appreciated and embraced. 

“By connecting with the community and learning how an arts organisation creates and maintains its connections within that community, my skills and knowledge has expanded, and my arts practice enriched. The Createability internship has also introduced me to a new concept: an organisation prepared to make adjustments, to make my time there more comfortable and less work.”Renee Allara, 2023 Createability Intern

Karen Stingemore completed an internship in 2023 with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Religion & Ethics program Compass, which helped her develop TV production skills and advanced research and project management skills. Following the internship, Karen continued working as a researcher with Compass on a short-term contract. Her current role is as a producer working on the ABC's International Day of People with Disability and Storyteller Scholarship with the ABC's Community Impact and Events team. 

“The Createability internship paved the way for me to gain ongoing employment with the ABC. It provided me a seat at the table, which many people with chronic health conditions and disability are excluded from.”Karen Stingemore, 2023 Createability Intern

Annette Pitman, Chief Executive of Create NSW said: 

“The Createability Internship Program will provide a rewarding opportunity for interns and host organisations alike, matching enthusiastic and talented practitioners with organisations that genuinely embrace access and inclusion. To date, this break-through program has resulted in long-term positive outcomes, including ongoing employment. I encourage all screen and arts workers with disability to apply for this life-changing opportunity to enrich NSW creative industries with their talents and strengths.”

Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said:

“Createability internships are breaking down often invisible barriers and connecting passionate practitioners with organisations where their talents are needed. This is an example of the way small steps can lead to positive change with access and inclusion across the screen industry.”  

Liz Martin, Accessible Arts CEO said

“This much-needed internship program can transform how creative industries organisations support people with disability to develop their careers and contribute meaningfully to a more diverse and dynamic screen sector. Increasing access and inclusion paves the way for authentic representation in the stories we tell, the way we craft them, and the lasting impact they have.”
 
“Accessible Arts is delighted to partner with Create NSW and Screen NSW to deliver the Createability initiative, and encourages all arts, cultural and screen practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf to apply.”

Applications are open until 11 March 2024. Find out more

Learn more about Accessible Arts

About Accessible Arts

Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. Established in 1986, we advance the rights of, and opportunities for, people with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts and have equitable access to arts and culture across NSW.