Ability Arts Connect MNC connected, celebrated and informed artists, their carers and support organisations through a one-day conference, exhibition and art prize. The event was held over several weeks from August to September last year at Nambucca Valley Phoenix, in Bowraville NSW.

It consisted of three parts: the conference, the art exhibition and the art prize. Prior to this event, there was no network or organisation in the NSW Mid North Coast that supported the professional development of artists with lived experience of disability. Through these events, they hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of these artists, bridge the gap and create networks with a vested interest in supporting artists with lived experience of disability.

The conference aimed to inform the community about and learn from artists with lived experience of disability, as well as allow artists to hear from professionals on topics such as marketing, funding opportunities and presenting works for exhibitions. There was also an open forum and several art workshops conducted during the conference.

The art exhibition was a celebration of the diversity of art practices from artists with lived experience of disability. It was an opportunity to experience, acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that artists with disability make to the arts and cultural landscape on the MNC.

The art prize offered disabled artists residing in the MNC the opportunity to showcase artworks across many mediums. Categories includes 2D Art, 3D Art, Digital Art and People’s Choice and were awarded during the opening of the art exhibition. The aim is for Ability Arts Connect MNC to become an annual event that continues to develop and grow year by year.