ndis and working in the art studio

If you ndis goal is to sell your artwork, then you will need to produce artwork to sell. The product of art occurs in the studio, as I create artwork anywhere. well maybe it's where my art supplies and equipment are stored.  I work in what is called a home studio. However other artists don't want to work at home or do not have the spare to have a studio.  For example a print maker, may need to rent studio space that has a printing press. 

There are a number of community and small commercial studio where artists rent space.  Some artists will utilized old industrial buildings or you may choose to work in a open studio.  An open studio is where a number of artist share one venue and split the rent.  The studio is 'opened' because members of the public can come and watch artists at work and ask questions.  If you are about to leave school this may consider visiting a art studio.

The other type of studio is 'a supported studio', these are dedicated support services that support artists with disability to produce, market and sell their artwork.  Just like any other support service, you can use your ndis funding to attend a supported studio.  However, there are only two supported art studios in South East Queensland, the Brisbane Outsiders Studio run by Access Arts Queensland and Arts From The Margins run by Wesley Mission. 

Entry for the Outsiders Studio is very competitive and artists need a strong professional portfolios to apply.  The option is a Disability Support Service that has an art program.  In the Ipswich region I know both the cpl and ALARA Queensland have great art programs to support people to produce their own art. 

If you need support in the production of you artwork and you want to gain more skills these might make good stepping stones to gain entry into a supported or open studios.  This is one way to achieve this goal. Another is to have a support worker who supports you to create art in your home studio.  This is what I have chosen to do. 

My current ndis goal is to have a solo exhibition in the Brisbane area. For the last 12 months I have been working with a small commercial gallery called Aspire Gallery.  As a member of the Gallery I exhibit in their group exhibitions and have a mentoring services where my mentor guide my art direction.  I have been trying to perfect my printmaking skills this year and have sold a number of my prints at the gallery. 

I also work closely with the owner of Drawing Point Gallery.  I have had an annual solo exhibition for the last two years and participate in their group exhibitions.  I am also regularly entering art competitions. 

I self-manage and self-direct my own ndis plan.  This enables me to engage my own team of support workers to support me in my home with daily living tasks; like getting ready for work; house cleaning, meal prep and assisting me in my art studio.  When I was advertising for my team, I was clear I was an artist and wanted support to achieve my ndis goal to expand my art practise.

So in terms of my art practise my team assist me in the studio to set-up and clean up, Help put work together for competitions, delivery and collect artwork, pick up art supplies, type gallery and funding submissions and attend art related functions. 

The ndis offers people with disabilities more choices than ever before, not just (the service provider they select), but how the want their ndis plan to be managed.  There are three basic options:

1. The ndis will manage your plan for you;
2. You can choose a host fund provider to manage your plan; or
3. You can self-manage. 

The way you manage choices two and three can vary significantly and how you chose to have your plan manage will impact on some of the choices to can make. 

I self-manage my plan with the assistance of a plan manager.  This allows me the flexibility to engage my own support team and use genetic services, that means a business does not need to be a ndis registered provider. 

The ndis may also provide assisted technology to run your art studio and modification to a studio where you work.  For example the may be able to install a ramp and accessible toilet, (Conditions do apply). 

Things to remember the ndis will only assist with costs associated with your disability.  The do not pay for art supplies or general art tools, training or education as these are costs all artist incur in developing their art practise. 

Before deciding your ndis goals and how to achieve them, my next blog post is about, the business of making art.