BUZZ surrounding the revolution of Australia's disability sector is not lost in Newcastle, with seats to a local National Disability Insurance Scheme forum quickly snapped up.
The Hunter is one of five locations across Australia that will be part of the $1 billion trial of the scheme from July, bringing changes to the way funding is allocated to people with disability.
Funding will be allocated to the individual, rather than the service they need.
A free scheme forum specifically catered towards artists will be held in Newcastle this month, titled Arts and the Individual Forum.
The Arts and the Individual Forum aims to provide an opportunity for artists with disability, carers and service providers to explore issues surrounding the scheme and opportunities it may create.
The director of Newcastle-based arts media community organisation Octapod, Christina Robberds, said she expected a mix of people to attend the forum, including artists, carers, disability services workers and arts organisations.
The four-hour forum will include a question and answer time, as well as round-table discussions on the scheme.
"These are really big changes that are happening. It's a new system that every needs to get their head around," she said.
Ms Robberds said the scheme would provide better outcomes for artists with a disability.
She said artists could have the opportunity to buy art materials with their funding and establish a career.
■ The Hunter artists with disability forum will be held in Newcastle on Thursday, February 28. For more information go to aarts.net.au/ndis-and-the-arts or phone 0415 699 227.