TUCKED away in Golden Square is an art studio with a difference, it\u2019s a disability support program that provides a creative space for those with NDIS funding.<\/p>\n
Called DONUT Studios, it\u2019s an art space where clients can paint and draw, there\u2019s also a recording studio to make music or record radio programs and outdoor areas for gardening and exercise.<\/p>\n
DONUT Studios is run by parent company CBChange and studio manager Rachel O\u2019Dowd said the Belle Vue Road creative space was a more recent addition.<\/p>\n
\u201cCB has several practitioners across Victoria that work with people with behaviours of concern or in behaviour management,\u201d she said. \u201cThat side was started eight years ago. We then opened up DONUT Studios three years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Dowd said the studio had a different name when it was purchased so they changed it, though not everyone understands the idea behind it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe changed it to DONUT Studios because we wanted it to be a bit fun,\u201d she said. \u201cBut it also stands for Disability, Options, Nurturing, Unique, Talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople will often tell us we’ve spelled it wrong because they don’t realise it’s an acronym.\u201d<\/p>\n
The name isn\u2019t important though Ms O\u2019Dowd said, it\u2019s about what\u2019s achieved by running things a bit differently from similar programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur main aim is to provide a space where our client\u2019s purposes can be reached,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are honest about our goals and being inclusive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fluid, sometimes our clients just want a chat for the day so that’s what we do with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of other places have strict programs where from 9am to 10am you do this, then 10 to 12 it\u2019s this, it’s like you’re at school.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t get it because someone may have paranoid schizophrenia, so they have full cognition, they’re adults.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another goal of DONUT Studios is to provide income for some of their artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re about to go into an online shop and do some printing,\u201d Ms O\u2019Dowd said. \u201cWe have one artist, Judah, who has quite significant autism, but his drawing and his repetition of patterns are gorgeous. It would look great on kid\u2019s clothes or blankets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re really wanting to move towards actually getting small amounts of income in for their work through an online shop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not that money is a concern for the artist\u2019s themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey really couldn’t give a s*** by the way,\u201d Ms O\u2019Dowd said. \u201cOur artists love the creative process. The end game is just that, creating.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TUCKED away in Golden Square is an art studio with a difference, it\u2019s a disability support program that provides a creative space for those with NDIS funding. Called DONUT Studios, it\u2019s an art space where clients can paint and draw, there\u2019s also a recording studio to make music or record radio programs and outdoor areas […]<\/p>\n