Disability Peer Support & Connections -- Music Museum Outreach

Making and Creating

Children need space to grow their imaginations, regulate their emotions, and to interact socially. We use a family and community approach in Music Museum Outreach through the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums).

Every child is an Artist - Pablo Picasso -

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ Pablo Picasso recognised that, ‘Every Child is an Artist, but the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.’ John Lennon said, 'Every child is an artist until he's told he's not an artist.' We provide opportunities for active exploration and building competence in creative arts activities.  An example of exemplary practice to showcase children's artwork is the Dr Barbara Piscitelli's Art Archive at the State Library of Queensland. Also, the Jarjums Life Museum was an active learning project which showcased children's art with support from Inala Wangarra and the Minjerribah Museum on North Stradbroke Island. Both of these projects ensure that children have a voice through participating in creative arts and curation of collected artworks.

CREATIVE PROCESS

Observing and Exploring

Occupational Therapists explore how children carry out daily tasks -- creative play, self-care, productivity, communication and socialisation. Children's play leads into occupational roles that may later become vocations. Museums, libraries and galleries provide supportive environments for learning and growth of the whole family. 

Assessments

The assessment process identifies areas that need development. The child, family, therapist and community cultural groups plan together. Information, advice and referrals are provided.

Consultation

A consultative approach is used to allow the child and family to find ways of reaching their own goals. We work collaboratively with community groups and peer support workers using the Creative Communities approach (Kirkwood, 2007).

Sessions

We support children to do the occupations that they want and need to do. 

Children explore sound making to create their own soundscapes--enhancing communication and decision-making. Rhythmic control develops movement skills. Emotions are expressed in a supportive environment.

Children use their hands to explore different sensations and control hand movements. Creativity is encouraged through play and socialisation in the kitchen. This is important for handwriting and manipulating tools in the classroom. Activities are tailored to individual sensory processing needs for children aged 3 to 7 years of age.

Older children (7 to 11 years) participate in emotional regulation programs to learn social skills. This is part of positive behaviour support plans for social-emotional wellbeing.

·     Make a Noise – 8—8:45am

·     Consultation 1 -- 9:30—10:30am

·     Consultation 2 -- 11:00--12:00 noon

·     Outreach 1:00--2:30pm Linking with Community Groups and Peers

·     Maker Space -- 3:15--4:00pm -- Early Learning, Parents, Grandparents

 ·      Social Space --  3:15--4:00pm -- School Aged Children

 

Funding

Read more about the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing funding and grant opportunities:

Disability Peer Support and Connections Program and reform of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 

Current Grant Opportunity View - GO8264: GrantConnect

Funding under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The April 2026 announcement of the new Australian Government funding for Disability Peer Support and Connections Programs comes in time for the World Creativity and Innovation Week. 

World Creativity and Innovation Day 2026 will be observed on Tuesday, 21 April, celebrating the role of creativity and innovation in global development. World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) is an United Nations-recognised international observance established to highlight the importance of creative thinking and innovation in solving global challenges and promoting sustainable development. The day is celebrated annually on 21 April, marking the culmination of World Creativity and Innovation Week which runs from 15 to 21 April each year.

Contact us Sandra Kirkwood is an Occupational Therapist registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority). Sandra established the Purga Music Museum in 2003 in collaboration with Purga Friends Association Inc, Purga Elders and Descendants Aboriginal Corporation, and local government--with appreciation for volunteer efforts and Community Development and Regional Arts Development grants from Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland.

 click to read

REFERENCES Australian Government (2026, 9 April) Disability Peer Support and Connections Funding opened, closing date 2 July 2026 https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/information-linkages-and-capacity-building/disability-peer-support-and-connections-program-and-reform-of-the-information-linkages-and-capacity-building-program Creative Australia (2025) Community Arts and Cultural Development https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/community-arts-cultural-development Current Australian Government Grant Opportunity (2026) https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=26632357-3abc-4bda-bf0b-39aa0e06a2ab Inala Wangarra. Jarjums Life Museum project. https://inalawangarra.com.au/jarjums-life-museum Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program (2026) https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/information-linkages-and-capacity-building Kirkwood, S (2007) Creative Communities: What Does it Mean? https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/creative-communities/2387118 Piscitelli, B (2000) Dr Barbara Piscitelli Children's Arts Archive, State Library of Queensland. https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/guide/7116-s/details  World Creativity and Innovation Week (2026) https://wciw.org/