Q ArtStudio is a division of Vatmi Industries (one of the largest employers of people with disability in Victoria).

The studio provides supported real employment to 11 artists with a disability. The artists design and create a range of products, including paintings, drawings, greeting cards, aprons, tea-towels and gift wrapping. Q ArtStudio is a business like any other, with budgets, goals and targets. Christmas is one of their busiest times, together with their annual exhibition, which provides an forum to sell the products produced.

Overseeing the action is manager and curator Carolyn Dunford. We spoke to Carolyn about her job.

How did you come to this role?
I was approached by the organisation initially to produce a business plan with both artistic and commercial focus. This was about two years ago.

What's the best thing about your job? The worst/most frustrating?
The best thing about my job is overseeing / directing / developing the artists' work and the recognition and pleasure which results for both artist and customer.

The most frustrating thing would definitely be lack of resources. (marketing/sales/admin/website development, data base/product development/production etc etc etc) getting our stuff 'out there'!

Can you describe an average 'day at the office' for you and your crew?
An average day starts at 8.30 am and finishes at 4.00 pm. Depending on the requirements – seasonal – at present working on Christmas Cards/gift wrap. There are always commissions/paintings to be done. Drawing on litho paper is a major task on a day-to-day basis as this serves to develop the artists’ imagery & skills. The paper is then folded and packed to sell as gift wrap.

My day is spent instructing my supervisor (currently he works 3 days per week), ordering product, replenishing stock, investigating new markets, sales, meeting with suppliers, potential customers, supervising the day to day operation of the studio, monitoring the artists (work, concentration, altering tasks from time to time when required, progress, quality control, artistic direction), general admin, budget requirements, advertising, promotion, time manage commissions to meet dead lines, organize and promote exhibitions. Organise and involve displays and presence at trade fairs, conferences, etc, budget.

I employ one supervisor at present who is a qualified practicing artist. He helps meet commission deadlines, provides support and artistic direction to the artists.

I have two volunteers who work one day each per week. Their help is invaluable in tasks such as folding and packing aprons, gift wrap and assemblage of our range of hand made greeting cards.

How do their roles break down?
Supervisor: Assists in the day to day delivery of artistic direction, development of individual artist's work, quality control, supervision – watching employees – keeping them busy and productive, ensure the studio environment is conducive to art making, assist in the production of hand made greeting cards, assist with collaborative work.

Employees (artists): Painting (acrylic on canvas), drawing, image development, painting and drawing (ink, water colour on paper), meet commission deadlines, work as a team.

Volunteers: Fold aprons/t-towels/gift wrap (these are hand screen printed in Melbourne using designs created by Q ArtStudio artists.

How are you creative on a day to day basis?
Day to day artistic direction to the artists, identifying and developing images which will bring a body of work for each artist for exhibitions, images to be used for screen printing on fabric, gift cards etc.

What’s your favourite Q product?
Works on canvas and paper.