Breakthrough internship opportunities open for creatives with disability

A career-expanding opportunity is now open for creative practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf to gain hands-on experience and grow their professional network with some of NSW’s leading arts, screen and music organisations. 

The 2025 Createability Internship Program provides a proven platform for NSW creatives, artists and arts workers with a disability or who are d/Deaf to gain valuable paid professional development in their chosen field.

Up to 11 interns will be placed with select Createability host organisations who share a commitment to access and inclusion. The internship opportunities range from technical TV production, post-production and research roles, performing arts production and programming, community arts and cultural development, technical theatre production, puppet making, marketing, audience development, graphic design, project and event support. 

These exciting roles are located in regional NSW, Western Sydney and Sydney, with leading creative industries organisations: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australian Design Centre, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Bus Stop Films, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Drama Queen, Erth Visual & Physical Ltd, Milk Crate Theatre, Musica Viva, Penrith Performing and Visual Arts, Performance Space, The Annex, The House That Dan Built, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), Sprung! Integrated Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company. 

Since 2022 the program has supported 27 arts and screen practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf, opening pathways to employment and other long-term positive outcomes. 

The Createability Internship Program is delivered by Create NSW, Screen NSW and Sound NSW in partnership with disability advocacy organisation Accessible Arts. Training is provided by Accessible Arts to help host organisations and interns remove barriers, both the visible and invisible, that people with disability often face in the workplace.

In 2024, Louis Walker developed skills and confidence through a Createability internship role assisting in the construction of puppets, props and other scenic elements at Erth Visual & Physical.

To find a career-enhancing internship role and apply, visit the website. Support is available for applicants, including a free information webinar on 13 November and the opportunity to book a 1:1 meeting with Create NSW staff to ask questions. Applications close 16 December 2024.

Karen Rodgers, Director Arts, Create NSW said: 

“By opening doors for creatives with disability and encouraging organisations to commit to being truly accessible and inclusive, the Createability Internship Program is strengthening our creative industries. When we embrace the diverse experience, perspectives and talents of people with different abilities, the stories we tell are richer, more powerful and inclusive.”

Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said:

“The Createability Internship program has provided the catalyst for significant and long-term outcomes including pathways to employment for many talented screen practitioners. A Createability internship is a fantastic way for practitioners to demonstrate their abilities and make valuable industry networks.”

Emily Collins, Head of Sound NSW said:

“We’re thrilled to open applications for this fantastic internship opportunity to creatives in the music industry and build on the program’s success in 2025. It’s an opportunity for interns to engage with organisations and broaden their professional development.”

Accessible Arts CEO Liz Martin said:

“The Createability Internship Program is helping creative practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf move closer to a truly accessible and inclusive sector, enhancing participation, representation, and diversity in the arts, screen and music industries.

“Accessible Arts is excited to collaborate once again with the NSW Government to deliver the Createability initiative in 2025. I eagerly anticipate the contributions these 11 talented interns will make in their respective areas.”

Louis Walker, Createability Intern said:

“My internship at Erth Visual and Physical was a great opportunity to build on my making skills in a professional environment, and to figure out where I fit in the arts industry as someone with many interests and creative technical skills. Knowing that it was a safe environment to communicate accommodations that would allow me to maintain a sustainable workload was really helpful, and has given me more confidence in strategising ways to make future workplaces sustainable for me.”

 

Image: Samantha Tindall on the set of Playschool. Photo by Hannah Mercurio (ABC)