Ripple: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program – Apply Now
Applications are now open for the 2026 Ripple: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program.
Run by Accessible Arts in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia, this program will take place across New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2026.
This unique paid initiative is open to eight (8) applicants who identify as both culturally diverse AND d/Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent.
The term “culturally diverse” is inclusive of people who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) and or Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CaRM), people of colour, Black people, and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
A person with Disability includes anyone with sensory or physical conditions, learning disability, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions or who is Neurodivergent.
Ripple is a paid program running from June-September 2026 that includes an internship, 1:1 mentorship and professional development training.
This 14-week program brings together emerging creatives, arts and cultural workers to build skills, connect with peers, and explore pathways into access and inclusion roles, including consultancy. It’s designed to grow your practice and confidence to drive greater access and inclusion across the arts and cultural sector.
The program includes:
6-weeks of Professional Development and Training Program
8 hours per week for 6 weeks
Customised Disability and cultural diversity awareness workshops and professional development training. Including workshops delivered by Accessible Arts, Diversity Arts, Uncle Paul Calcott, Deaf Connect, Sparkly Brains Psychology, Creative Plus Business and more leading creatives and collectives across the arts.
Mentorship
4 sessions (1 hour duration each)
4 one-on-one Mentor Sessions with a contemporary cultural/arts leader.
Internship
15 hours per week for 8 weeks
Internship placement at a Cultural/Arts Institution in NSW or ACT.
This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable insights into the kinds of organisations and work available in the arts and cultural sector, whilst forming connections as emerging creative sector workers.
The selected interns will be paid $30 per hour plus the statutory superannuation rate, for a total of 14 weeks. You will be paid for all training and work experience hours.
More information on the program including training, mentorship and internship opportunities can be found in the Ripple Application Guidelines in the application section below.
Participating Organisations
The internships will take place at a range of leading arts and cultural institutions as listed below.
The internships will be in a variety of creative and technical areas depending on the organisation each intern is placed within. Areas include marketing, curatorial, production, arts administration, public programs, writing, producing, and editing within music, visual arts and theatre. A work program will be developed based on the skills and interests of each participant, alongside the opportunities and requirements of the organisation.
The internships can be carried out entirely in person, or a combination of in person and online. The breakdown of online and in person hours will vary depending on the requirements of each arts organisation.
- UTP (formally Urban Theatre Projects)
Program Timeline
The program will run from 9 June to 14 September 2026
This will include:
- Training Part 1
Tuesday 9 June to Friday 25 June
These sessions are online or have hybrid attendance options.
This will be 8 hours per week for 3 weeks.
- Internship Placement
Monday 29 June to Friday 21 August
This is the standard internship placement period. However, placements timeline can be flexible to needs of the participant. See the Ripple Application Guidelines in the application section below for each Host Organisation’s specifications.
This will be 15 hours per week for 8 weeks.
- Training Part 2
Monday 31 August to Monday 14 September
These sessions are online or have hybrid attendance options.
This will be 8 hours per week for 3 weeks.
- Mentorship Sessions
June to September 2026
4 x 1 hour 1:1 mentor sessions. Session times to be decided between mentor and mentee.
- Ripple Graduation Ceremony
Monday 14 September 2026
In-person event, including paid travel to attend a Wrap Up Session and Ripple Graduation Ceremony in Sydney, Dharug Country.
Access
Successful applicants will be provided with assistance prior to starting and during their internship, matched to their individual access requirements. Participants and partnering organisations will be provided with Access Rider and Creative Access training.
Ripple Information Session
An open Ripple Information Session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 7 April from 5pm – 6pm. Closed captioning and Auslan interpreting will be available for this session. The session will also be recorded and published.
The conversation will be led by Accessible Arts’ Ripple Project Coordinator Ava Lacoon, who will also provide insights and perspective as a past Ripple participant. They will be joined by Kevin Bathman, Strategic Orojects Producer at Diversity Arts Australia.
This session will cover:
- Information on the Ripple Program including an overview of the Internship, Mentoring and Training Program
- How to apply
- Application questions
- Access
Free – Registrations required
Click here to register for the online Ripple Information Session on Tuesday 7 April at 5pm.
Eligibility Criteria
Who is eligible to apply?
Selection Criteria
- Identify as both culturally diverse* AND d/Deaf, Disabled* and/or Neurodivergent. Including people who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) and or Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CaRM), people of colour, Black people, and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
- Be over 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Reside in NSW or ACT
- Must be available during the above-mentioned dates
- Interest and enthusiasm as an emerging cultural or creative sector worker
- Interested in Disability, Neurodiversity and racial justice discourse
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently
- Competency in Microsoft Office applications and Zoom Meeting Platform
- Nurturing some form of creative/arts/crafts practice (desirable but not essential)
Apply Now
Ripple Guidelines
Please read the Ripple Application Guidelines for more information on the Ripple Program prior to applying: Word | PDF
Alternatively, you can submit your application via the Word Document Application Form: Word | PDF
Alternative formats such as audio, or video submissions are also accepted with prior approval. Please reach out to Accessible Arts before submitting the application in an alternative format to ensure your application is received.
If you need support to complete this application, through translation or language support please get in touch and our team will contact you to discuss options
Applications close on Monday 27 April 2026 at 11:30pm
The selected interns will be notified in May 2026. Please note, all successful applicants may be asked to complete both a Police Check and a Working with Children Check. The financial costs associated with these checks will be reimbursed by Accessible Arts.
Enquiries
If you have any questions about your application or the Ripple Program, please contact:
Accessible Arts
Ava Lacoon, (she/they), Ripple Project Coordinator
Email: info@aarts.net.au
Phone (02) 9251 6499
Our team is available 10am – 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for phone enquires.
Diversity Arts Australia
Kevin Bathman (he/him), Diversity Arts Project Coordinator
Email: kevin.bathman@diversityarts.org.au
Phone: (02) 8821 9169
Meet Ava (she/they) the 2026 Ripple Program Cordinator:
Hi there, my name is Ava (she/they), I am a Queer, Disabled Crip settler of British, Chinese and Indian ancestry residing on the beautiful lands of Dharug Ngurra. My artistic practice and advocacy are shaped and informed by the expansive ideas of Disability Justice, and Anti-colonial theory.
I’ll be your main point of contact throughout the program, here to support the Ripple cohort and help make the experience as accessible, culturally safe and valuable as possible. Fun fact: I was a participant in Ripple in 2025, so I am very excited to return as Project Coordinator in 2026.
Please reach out, you can contact me by emailing info@aarts.net.au . My usual working days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Photo of Ripple Program Coordinator, Ava Lacoon
Privacy information
Accessible Arts respects every participant’s right to privacy. We collect and use the minimum amount of personal information needed for us to ensure we provide you with a quality service. Accessible Arts will always endeavour to manage your information in ways that protect your privacy. You can read Accessible Art’s privacy statement & policy here.
Note: Language around ‘culturally and linguistically diverse’ communities, and ‘culturally and racially marginalised’ communities is not entirely accurate nor adequate. People may self-identify with one, both or neither of these terms. However, we use these terms in the report, in line with Diversity Council Australia’s guide on inclusive language in the workplace.
The Ripple: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Accessible Arts is supported by Create NSW and this program is being delivered in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia and a variety of arts and cultural institutions across NSW and ACT.
ENDS
Image descriptions: Main image at top: The word RIPPLE appears in bold colourful, capital letters with a graphic of a white ripple effect within the lettering. Underneath pink text reads: Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship. Image towards bottom: Ava Lacoon, Ripple Coordinator, has long dark hair and is wearing glasses and a red top.
