Arts Project Australia Inc, Northcote, VIC

Artists need a space to work, professional guidance, quality materials, and ways to exhibit and sell their artwork. Our inner city studio and gallery exist to nurture and promote artists with an intellectual disability as they develop their art practice. Myra Hilgendorf OAM, who founded Arts Projects Australia in 1974, insisted the work be presented in a professional manner and that artists were accorded the same dignity and respect as their non-disabled peers. Myra and her colleagues took a major step in bringing the work to the attention of the art world and general public. More history… We promote and exhibit artists’ work as belonging to the broad spectrum of contemporary art, and studio artists are represented in mainstream art exhibitions and events. The conversation between artists with an intellectual disability and the wider community continues. We’ve come a long way since 1974, but there is still much more to do. We are a not-for-profit organisation, and rely on government funds, personal and philanthropic donations, and commissions from artwork sales to continue our work. We need your support.