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Lesley Hall Scholarship 2026 (FAQs)

The Lesley Hall Scholarship supports Deaf and Disabled artists, arts workers and creatives who use art to hallenging assumptions about disability. This can be by:

  • Challenging preconceptions about disability
  • Advocating for the rights of Deaf and Disabled people
  • and Deaf or Disability advocacy

You can apply if you:

  • identify as Deaf and/or Disabled
  • live in Victoria
  • have an active arts practice
  • Be able to show past works that use art as a tool for change.

Before applying ask yourself:

  • Do I have a project I want to work on?
  • What do I need to complete my project?
  • What would help/ support my practice?
  • How am I going to express these ideas?

Applications open: Thursday 23 April, 2026.

Applications closes: Monday 25 May, 2026 at 5 pm AEST.

 

You can apply by:

  • Fill in the application form online,
  • Download a Word document version and email it to us.

All application documents and forms can be found above on this web page.

Important: The online form does not allow you to save a draft. Please download and use the Word document version to save your progress.

Absolutely! Talk to us if you would prefer to submit a video or audio application.

Applications in Auslan are also invited.

What Support Material can I submit?

Support material can be:

  • Word and or text documents (DOC, DOCX, TXT, ODT,ODF, PPT, PPTX files)
  • Images (JPG, PNG, SVG, TIFF files)
  • video (MP4, MOV files)
  • audio (MP3 M4A files)
  • weblink

Please note: If you would like to submit a PDF, you will have to email it to us. We cannot accept PDFs via the website.

If you need help with your support material files, reach out, we are happy to help.

If you are the successful, you will receive:

  1. A $5000 scholarship; and
  2. Ongoing support through conversations with AAV and its staff members

You can use the scholarship money for:

  • creative development
  • presenting a new artwork project
  • sustaining yourself and your practice

What does sustaining yourself and your practice mean?

The Lesley Hall scholarship aims to support as an artist. This means you can use the funds to in any way that can help you continue working as a professional artist. Examples include:

  • Professional development
  • Equipment and Software
  • Paying yourself
  • And much more
  • Presentation of a work
  • Professional Development
  • Equipment
  • Paying yourself
  • A mix of all of the above

The Scholarship is to support you to undertake whatever you need to continue working as a professional artist.

The development of a art or creative work that challenge assumptions about disability.

Please note: This definition of project is for the Lesley Hall Scholarship. A project may mean something else in other contexts.

We understand the challenges of having an arts or creative practice. We know Deaf and Disabled people can experience more challenges than non-disabled people.

The Lesley Hall Scholarship supports Deaf and Disabled artists, arts workers and creatives. To support their practice and development. We understand support looks different for everyone. And have ensured that you can use this scholarship in lots of ways to support your needs. There are examples above in “What can I do with the Scholarship?” If you would like to know more, please contacts us.

The funding is for 2027. You can negotiate a project extension of up to one year.

You can do your project on your own or you may choose to work with others to produce the artwork.

No, this is to make sure the process is fair for everyone who applies.

Yes, we aim to give all applicates feedback. If you would like feedback, please let us know.

The Selection panel has four community representatives connected to:

  • Lesley Hall
  • Arts and Disability

Deaf and Disabled people are on the panel.

We will let you know the outcome by mid-June 2026.

We will announce the winner on our website and social media.

Lesley Hall was a proud Disabled woman, disability advocate, arts administrator, writer and activist. She was a founder of the Women with Disabilities Australia (Formally Women with Disabilities Feminist Collective). The CEO of Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO). She was a co-founder of the Disability Resource Centre.

Lesley Hall left her mark. Always fighting for the rights of Deaf and Disabled people, particularly Disabled women. In 1981 Hall made headline news across Australia for her now famous protest at the Miss Australia Quest. She took the stage to protest the objectification of women and idealisation of physical beauty. She became instrumental in shaping public policy on disability through her tireless advocacy.

As the CEO of the AFDO, Lesley was instrumental in influencing the formation of the NDIS, and much more. Lesley’s love of the arts came to the forefront in her work as director of the Melbourne Worker’s Theatre and work at Darebin Council. This helped shape Lesley’s passion for increasing Deaf and Disabled people participation ay all levels. Lesley used her experiences as a Board member and Chair of Arts Access Australia and Arts Access Victoria.

Lesley Hall was a quiet character who rarely wanted the spotlight. Lesley’s motivation came from her desire to instigate social change. To help people in society overlooked by the public. Time is finally catching up with what Lesley always knew to be true. Deaf and Disabled people vital members of society and their contributions are important. Exciting times are ahead, and Lesley legacy is finally being realised. Onward to the fray!

You can contact us though reception:

Phone: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice)

You can Contact Alanah Guiry.

 by phone 03 8640 6017 (voice only) or email 

Alanah is managing the Lesley Hall Scholarship applications and works Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Application form

You can fill out the application form online via our website.

You can download the application form and email it back to us

We can email or post an application to you if you would prefer. Email info@artsaccess.com.au or call us on 9699 8299.

Frequently Asked Questons

The award is intended to recognise the work of young artists and activists with disability who are using their artistic practice as a tool for challenging preconceptions about disability.
You must:

  • identify as a Deaf and/or Disabled person;
  • have created work (paid or voluntary) in either comedy, performing arts or screen culture;
  • be between the ages of 16 and 30; and
  • be a permanent resident of Australia
  • have made a powerful impact in their practice

The applications are now open and will close 5.00 pm on Monday 20 October.

You can apply by filling out the form on our website or by downloading the application form as a word document on our website.

We can email or post an application to you.

Email: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au
Phone: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice)

Absolutely! Talk to us if you would prefer to submit a video or audio application. Applications in Auslan are also invited.

If you are the successful recipient of the Stella Young Award you will get a one-off payment of $3,000.

We are looking for young people who have used their art (comedy, performing arts or screen culture) to have an impact on how the community thinks about disability. It could be an artistic outcome that you have presented in the community or online, such as a short film, or a performance. You could have been behind the scenes getting a project up and running, or it could have been your own work of art. But you will be a proud artist, activist who is determined to create opportunities for greater inclusion and equality.

Tell us about your achievements, art and activism but keep in mind the word limits. Include links to images, short films or publications that will help us to assess your achievements.

That’s entirely up to you! This is an award for your achievements, not a scholarship towards future projects.

Unfortunately, in the interests of fairness to all applicants, the selection panel cannot give feedback on your application.

Yes, we will endeavour to give you feedback in writing about your application.

The selection panel consists of four community representatives with ties to Stella Young, the arts and disability sector, Deaf and Disabled people and Disability Media Australia.

We will notify you of the outcome of your application by early November. The winner will be announced at The Other Film Festival (TOFF) 2025 Premiere event on Wednesday 12 November.

Established in 1974, AAV has since become the state’s peak body for arts and disability.

AAV’s agenda is the social and artistic transformation for Deaf and Disabled people, the community and access to the arts sector. It achieves this through Disability-led advocacy:

  • Community arts and cultural development programs for more than 1300 Deaf and Disabled people.
  • Professional development programs for Deaf and Disabled artists with creative and employment outcomes.
  • Working with industry to increase Deaf and Disabled participation and access.

AAV has established itself as the driving force for an inclusive, accessible art and cultural sector in Victoria.

AAV shares unique and untold stories that challenge the issues that frame the lives of Deaf and Disabled people. It places Deaf and Disabled artists, not at the margins, but centre stage. Recognising them instead as significant and invaluable contributors to the Australian cultural landscape.

You can contact Alanah Guiry: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au

You can phone us: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice) Please note these numbers are for reception, we will forward you to Alanah when you contact us.