This Arts Thursday, with Maisy Stapleton, two special guests give us an opportunity to understand the powerful impact of the arts – inviting us to consider diverse views and question the status quo through art works and, through specialist arts programs, showing us how museums support fulfilling access to art and exhibitions for visitors with special needs.

As a painter, Ben Quilty has developed a mastery of thick impasto paint techniques; as an artist his work develops compassion and a better understanding of his subjects. He also brings a view of the world through his art, which prompts us to ponder life’s foibles and consider our responsibilities to our fellows.

His new exhibition, Quilty, at the Art Gallery of NSW is a major survey of one of Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary artists and covers many of the subjects he has worked on this century.

Susannah Thorne, Access Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, reveals the important role that museums play in providing access to all visitors, despite physical or mental capacities which might limit both their attendance or their understanding of the works on exhibition.

The MCA runs a number of state-of-the-art access programs which are embraced by the whole organisation.