The Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust (RLADT) fund was introduced in South Australia in 2006. The first of its kind in Australia, the fund supports the creative and artistic aspirations of people with disabilities.
This year, 16 individuals and nine organisations successfully applied for funding and received a combined total of $179,988.
Funding will support a diverse and exciting range of arts and cultural activities including photographic exhibitions, mentorships, writers’ residencies as well as upcoming concerts and performances. A visual arts exhibition developed by the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia and a performance of a play by Nina Pearce called This place will be presented during Mental Health Week in October 2009
Previous and current recipients have applied to the fund to develop or present work at a national and international level.
Gaelle Mellis, a leading advocate for disability arts and who proudly identifies as a disabled artist has won numerous awards, including a 2005 Churchill Fellowship and was shortlisted for a Ruby award in 2007. In previous funding rounds Gaelle undertook a research trip to the UK. Having successfully re-applied for the fund in 2009, she will complete the second stage development of a contemporary performance piece called Take up thy bed and walk.
As a set designer and artist Gaelle’s work is highly sought after by leading performance companies, including Australian Dance Theatre, Restless Dance Company and Brink Productions.
Adelaide’s Restless Dance Theatre continues to win accolades for their groundbreaking and innovative style. In 2008, the RLADT supported professional artists Sam Haran, Steven Mayhew Alison Currie and Jo Stone to work with members of the ensemble including Lorcan Hopper and Dana Nance to develop Debut. Restless successfully applied for funding this year for their new production called Beauty.
Kyra Kimpton who is also part of the Restless ensemble, will use the fund to undertake a creative development with UK artist Jemima Hoadley for a solo dance piece called Prelude, which she will perform during the 2009 Adelaide Fringe and in London the following year.
The Hon Jennifer Rankine, Minister for Disability, has extended her congratulations to all this year’s recipients and adds, “It is particularly exiting to see so many of our local talented artists and companies, presenting their work much further afield. The Government of South Australia recognises the significant role that arts and culture plays in enriching the lives not only of people with disabilities, but across the wider community.”
The Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust is a partnership between the Department for Families and Communities and Arts SA. The fund is financially controlled by the Public Trustee and administered by Arts SA.
