From Barriers to Belonging: An equity in the arts forum
On 5 February 2026, Arts Tasmania, in collaboration with Morwenna Collett and supported by the University of Tasmania, held a one-day forum at The Hedberg, Nipaluna/Hobart.
The forum was dedicated to building a more accessible and inclusive arts sector in Tasmania. The program included disability-led artist panels, case studies of good practice, practical tips and quick wins from across the sector, and roundtable discussions exploring the future of arts and disability in the state. Performance, installation and opportunities to connect throughout the day helped to keep conversations grounded, relevant and action focused.
Purpose and goals
The forum brought together artists, arts organisations and sector partners to focus on practical steps for embedding equity and inclusion across the arts. It recognised the need for sustainable, coordinated change and aimed to support the development of a shared roadmap that participants can contribute to and adopt.
The key goals of the day were to:
- support arts organisations to embed disability equity within their work
- create practical opportunities and partnerships for artists with disability
- build a shared understanding of accessible practice to guide sector-wide progress.
To learn more about the forum and its outcomes, read Morwenna Collett’s article.
Program
From Barriers to Belonging: An equity in the arts forum
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Time | Space | Content |
|---|---|---|
9:15 am – 10:00 am | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Opening and introductionMCs: Morwenna Collett and Lucie Cutting Welcome to Country – Linton Burgess Representative for the Minister for Arts and Heritage to open the event Disability Commissioner Catherine Whitington |
10:00 am – 10:10 am | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Movement activity led by Luke John Campbell |
10:10 am – 11:00 am | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Session 1: Access barriers and solutions: An artist-led panelA selection of renowned Tasmanian artists and arts workers with disability will share their practice, the sorts of access barriers they’ve encountered and some great access solutions they’ve experienced. They will share ideas about how we can all work together to build a more artistically inclusive Tasmania. Session line-up:Chair: Emily-Rose Wills Panellists:
|
11:00 am – 11:30 am | Level 2 Foyer | Morning tea break |
11:30 am – 11:50 am | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Second Echo performance |
11:50 am – 12:45 pm | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Session 2: Sharing good practice and challengesHear from arts organisations from across the state who have been implementing accessibility into their practice. Learn about what has worked, what hasn’t worked and what’s coming up next. Session line-up:Chair: Adam Wheeler (Assembly 197) Panellists:
|
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm | Level 2 Foyer | Lunch |
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm | The Salon | Session 3: Learning and connectingDelegates are free to select their preferences and move between two rooms to participate in a more conversational and active part of the day. The Salon room theme is ‘Connecting’Room host – Lucie Cutting. Part 1: A movement activity run by Kelly Drummond Cawthon (Second Echo) (1:45 pm – 2:20 pm). Part 2: A weaving activity led by Palawa artist Takira Simon-Brown (2:20 pm – 3:00 pm). Through these moving and making activities, delegates will have an opportunity to connect with each other and build relationships. Note: there will be no access services available in the Salon, and capacity for this space will be capped at 30 people at any given time. |
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Ian Potter Recital Hall theme is ‘Learning’
Room host – Morwenna Collett
Access services: captioning and Auslan (if requested in advance).
Two hosted roundtable discussions on key themes in the arts access community. Part 1: Non-visible disability and relaxed sessions with Cam Bryer (TSO) and Erica Campbell-Graham (Theatre Royal Hobart). Part 2: Breaking down barriers: arts organisations and artists working together, with Sinsa Mansell and Nicole Winspear (Performing Lines), and Laura Sheedy (Project Steering Committee). |
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Level 2 Foyer | Afternoon tea break |
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Session 4: Arts and disability across AustraliaHear updates from national and local organisations and initiatives about the current state of arts and disability activity across the country.
Session line-up:Chair: Morwenna Collett Panellists:
The weaving activity commenced in Session 3 in the Salon space will continue throughout this session for those that may prefer a practical activity. |
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Short film by Bus Stop Films – ‘Lost Treasure’Introduced by Zackery Roeth (Bus Stop Films) |
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Ian Potter Recital Hall | Session 5: The future: what’s nextThe Forum will close with a wrap-up from the project’s Steering Committee, who will offer reflections on the day and their hopes for the future. Session line-up:Chairs: Morwenna Collett and Lucie Cutting Steering committee:
Closing words: Caine Chennatt (UTAS), Kate Mackie (Creative Tasmania) |
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Level 4 Bar (access via lift) | NetworkingAn opportunity for delegates to continue networking and enjoy drinks at the Level 4 space and bar. |
View a PDF of the program From Barriers to Belonging (PDF 1.1 MB)
Speakers
To learn more about the people speaking at From Barriers to Belonging, see the Speakers page.