About the Speakers

Luke Létourneau – Curatorial and Collections Team Lead, Casula Powerhouse 

Luke Létourneau is currently employed by Liverpool City Council as Curatorial and Collections Lead for Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and the recently opened Yellamundie Civic Place Library and Art Gallery. Luke has experience commissioning and developing new works across multiple artforms, programming for Western Sydney audiences, and developing curatorial projects through engagement with creative and cultural groups in south-west Sydney. Recent projects include ‘Adaptation’ (2020), ‘Looking at Gold’ (2022) and ‘Jamming with strangers’ (2022) which was the winner Exhibition Projects [Large Organisations] at the IMAGinE Awards 2022. Luke also regularly contributes writing to national arts publications and artist catalogues. 

Rilka Oakley – Artistic Programs Leader, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

Rilka Oakley is a based in Katoomba, NSW. Passionate about challenging conventional norms, pushing artistic boundaries, and provoking dialogue, she has keen eye for identifying emerging talent. Her expertise lies in exploring innovative concepts and collaborating with established artists.  She currently leads a team of dynamic arts administrators to create a rich program of activities and events. With over 25 years’ curatorial experience she curates thematic shows that respond to current cultural and artistic concerns.

A Master of Art Administration from UNSW COFA led to the opportunity to intern on the Australian exhibition “fluent” at the prestigious Venice Biennale, providing her with invaluable insights into the international art scene. Her continuing dedication to the arts resulted in a Master of Visual Arts from SCA, USYD further enriching her understanding of artistic expression and craftsmanship.

Madeleine Stewart – Comedian and Producer (Crips and Creeps)  

Madeleine Stewart is an award-winning comedian, film maker and disability advocate. With over a decade in the comedy industry performing with the likes of Adam Hills, Reuben Kaye and Rove McManus, Madeleine uses her platform for disability advocacy. In 2019 she created ‘Crips and Creeps’ Sydney’s first accessible comedy club, which has lead into ‘Are You Pulling My Leg’ a line up show currently touring Australia in partnership with Accessible Arts, showcasing comedians with disability.

Madeleine also dabbles in film making- her debut film ‘Inspire ME’ receiving multiple award nominations and screened internationally. Beyond the creative scene, Madeleine is currently working in disability advocacy as chairperson of the Disability Advisory Panel for Shopfront Theatre. Previously the Sydney Fringe Access Coordinator, Madeleine is currently the producer of Sydney Fringe’s accessible hub: Limitless.

Amy Claire Mills (MC) – Artist, Curator and Producer

Amy Claire Mills is an artist, curator, and producer who resides in Sydney,  working and living on Gadigal and Wangal country. Her practice focuses on advocacy, identity, and resistance, which is influenced by her experiences as a disabled woman. Through her work, Amy explores disability culture and its social and political impacts, taking on both the role of an artist and subject. Her artworks serve as a form of protest, introducing new vocabularies such as softness, tactility, empathy, and care.

Since graduating with a Fine Arts Degree from UNSW, Amy has collaborated with art organisations, galleries, and national institutions to curate and produce exhibitions and events focusing on embedding access and greater representation for disabled artists. Amy has exhibited in different artist-run initiatives (ARI’s) across Australia.

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW and this Hybrid Event Series has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney, Artspace and  Livecrowd.

ENDS

Image Description: A photo of the Accessible Curation panel discussion at Artspace being Auslan interpreted. Speakers (From left to right): Amy Claire Mills (MC), Madeleine Stewart, Luke Létourneau and Rilka Oakley. Photo by Rob Studdert.