The Lesley Hall Scholarship is an annual program for Victorian Deaf and Disabled artists and advocates. The scholarship is a $5,000 grant.
Lesley Hall Protesting at Beauty Quest 1981
This program supports a Deaf or Disabled artist, arts workers and creatives living in Victoria who use their creative practice to advocate for Deaf and Disabled people.
We are looking for Deaf and Disabled artists, arts workers and creatives who create works challenging assumptions about disability.
There are three criteria that applicants must meet. You must:
The 2023 recipient Sophie Smyth (she/her) said, “The impact of the 2023 Lesley Hall Award was two-fold: practical and metaphorical. It allowed me to upgrade my equipment to a larger MIDI keyboard, quality recording microphone, pay collaborators, plus seek high-quality legal advice while navigating my first (very unexpected!) opinion agreement.”
“More importantly, however, Lesley’s legacy empowered me to step into my full-bodied, authentic artistry; now, creativity bursts from my every seam, fervently expressed through poetry, essays, songs, a new cabaret show, a play, a feature film, my clothes, my apartment — everything! I’m so excited for the next winner to receive such an incredible opportunity and can’t wait to see what they do with it.”
Submit your application by 5 pm Monday 28 October.
If you have any questions, would like us to email or mail you the application forms or would like to submit your application in an alternative format please contact us
Reception Phone: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice)
Alanah Guiry – Alanah is managing the Lesley Hall Scholarship applications. Alanah works Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Phone: 03 8640 6017 (voice only)
Email: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au
Through this scholarship, we honour the activism and legacy of our late Board Chair Lesley Hall. Lesley was a tireless advocate for the human rights of Deaf and Disabled people. She became famous for protesting the Miss Australia Quest in 1981. And she influenced the formation of the NDIS, amongst many other achievements.
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:
You can apply if you:
Before applying ask yourself:
Applications Open: Monday 16 September 2024
Applications closes: Monday 28 October 2024 at 5 pm.
You can apply by:
All applications documents and forms can be found above on this web page
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, you will receive:
You can use the scholarship money for:
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:
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 2025. 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:
Deaf and Disabled people are on the panel.
We will let you know the outcome by the last week of November 2024.
We will announce the winner on our website, social media and at The Gathering.
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.
