Studio A

Studio A is a social enterprise based in Sydney, Australia that tackles the barriers that artists with intellectual disability face in accessing conventional education, professional development pathways and opportunities needed to be successful and renowned visual artists. The enterprise paves professional pathways for such artists so that they can achieve their artistic and economic aspirations. Studio A supports a variety of artists working within a range of disciplines and thus strategically links Studio A artwork with an equally diverse range of target markets including art, design, craft, and corporate markets. Studio A offers corporate and public companies, as well as private individuals, a number of different services including: - Selling or leasing artwork to be displayed in the home or office. - Licensing artwork for design partnerships and/or collaboration opportunities. - Volunteer opportunities within the Studio A organisation. - Provision of decorative props and design concepts for corporate and private parties and events. - Creative, team-building workshops - Studio A artist-lead lunch-N-Learn sessions and workshops. The Studio A program is structured to operate as a social enterprise, meaning revenue derived from the program’s activities is invested back into the program to increase its artistic and social outcomes. Income derived from the sale and exhibition of artwork directly benefits the artist. Studio A contributes to various personal outcomes for the artists including increased self esteem, increased aspirations for the future, broader social networks and a sense of belonging, increased financial security and improved mental health. More broadly, within the community Studio A reduces stigma associated with people with disabililty and increases diversity and inclusion. Studio A offers the mainstream arts sector access to new artists and new opportunities for unique collaborations.