Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Raw Law is an innovative and much needed resource that protects the legal rights of artists with a disability including artists with mental health issues. Raw Law was formally launched on Thursday 15 July at Middletons law firm by special guest barrister and human rights advocate Julian Burnside AO QC.

This landmark initiative directly addresses the needs and aspirations of artists regarding important legal rights and intellectual property issues. Raw Law is about giving artists with a disability access to important legal information communicated in a way never before seen in Australia. It offers artists with disabilities or artists with mental health issues an empowered, informed position for deciding how they want to enact their artistic rights and responsibilities.

Raw Law takes legal accessibility to a whole new level – explaining complex legal concepts in ways that are accessible, practical and meaningful. Raw Law is primarily aimed at visual artists, performers, musicians, film and video makers, and writers with specific communication needs. Raw Law also shows artists how to go about taking action, how they can enact their rights, and who they can approach when they find themselves in a difficult situation.

The Raw Law initiative began in 2007 when AAV became aware of the dearth of information on legal rights for artists with a disability, presented in accessible formats.Raw Law highlights the need for easy-to-understand, readily available legal guidelines surrounding the creation of new work. The project was developed through discussions with sector organisations and artists with disabilities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Raw Law project manager Adam Rozsa explains that “This resource demystifies copyright, moral rights, legal contracts and other crucial issues for creators across all artforms. Raw Law is a multi-modal resource – that is, you can approach the information from different levels and access points according to your needs, your capabilities or your artform.”

Comedian and disability spokesperson Stella Young, who features in the Raw Law DVD, emphasizes that “A resource like Raw Law will make it much easier for everyone to understand their rights when it comes to their artwork. Things like copyright are pretty intense for anyone to get their head around, so a no-nonsense explanation like this will make a world of difference.”

The next step for Arts Access Victoria and the Raw Law project is to seek funding for a Community Legal Education Project which aims to deliver free face-to-face information sessions in regional, outer metropolitan and inner-metro locations, thereby taking the key messages of the project to artists throughout Victoria.The Raw Law resource comprises a 50-page booklet/ DVD package. The pack is free to artists with a disability, $30 for individuals without a disability and $50 for organisations.

For more information visit Arts Access Victoria.