Artful exists to celebrate creative expression, diverse lived experience and inclusive storytelling. We aim to create a gallery that feels safe, respectful and welcoming for artists and audiences of all backgrounds, including people with disability, children and the wider community.
We value artistic freedom and understand that art can be challenging, emotional and provocative. These guidelines exist to support creative expression while ensuring Artful remains a respectful and inclusive space for everyone.
What we welcome
We welcome artworks that:
• express personal stories, identity, emotion, culture, experience or perspective
• explore complex or difficult themes (including disability, mental health, trauma, politics, grief or the human body)
• include nudity or partial nudity where it is clearly contextual, artistic or symbolic
• use metaphor, abstraction, humour or critique as part of creative expression
• reflect diverse ways of seeing and experiencing the world
Art does not need to be “polished” or “professional” to be valued. All levels, styles and forms of creative practice are welcome.
What we don’t allow
To protect the safety and dignity of artists and audiences, artworks will not be accepted or published if they include:
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Hate and harmful content
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Hate symbols, gestures or imagery (including Nazi symbols, white supremacist imagery or other internationally recognised hate insignia)
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Content that promotes, glorifies or incites hatred, discrimination or violence against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics (including disability, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality or age)
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Dehumanising or degrading portrayals of people or communities
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Pornographic or sexually exploitative content
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Explicit sexual acts intended to arouse the viewer
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Sexual exploitation or sexual violence
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Sexualised depiction of children or young people (under 18), under any circumstances
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Non‑consensual sexual content
- Deliberately exploitative or culturally disrespectful representations of individuals or communities
Important clarification:
Artistic nudity, body‑positive work and representations of the human form are not considered pornography when they are contextual and aligned with creative expression.
Other exclusions
Content that includes credible threats of violence or self‑harm.
Content that is unlawful under Australian law.
Artful reserves the right to decline artworks that may present significant safety, legal or reputational concerns.
Review and moderation process
All artworks submitted to Artful are reviewed before being published in the online gallery. Reviews are conducted by the Artful team to ensure alignment with these guidelines and Artful’s values of inclusion, respect and safety.
Decisions are made with care and in good faith. We aim to:
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consider artistic intent, context and meaning
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balance creative freedom with community safety
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avoid censorship wherever possible
If an artwork doesn’t meet the guidelines
In the unlikely event that an artwork does not meet these guidelines:
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Artful may choose not to publish the artwork in the gallery or withdraw it after publication
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Where appropriate, we may contact the artist to explain the decision or request clarification
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Decisions are final, but are made respectfully and transparently
Rejection of an artwork does not reflect the value of the artist or their creative voice.
Our commitment
Artful is committed to artistic freedom and self‑expression, accessible, inclusive creative spaces, respectful representation of people and communities and learning and evolving our approach as part of an ongoing conversation about art and inclusion.
In partnership with Accessible Arts
As the peak body for arts and disability in NSW, Accessible Arts champions the rights and opportunities of people with disability or who are d/Deaf to pursue careers and access the arts equitably.
For over 35 years, we’ve delivered programs, workshops, and services that support career growth, audience development, and community engagement in the arts and disability sector.
