Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

On Friday 13 November 2009, three people with low vision participated in the first guided touch tour presented at Sculpture by the Sea. The tour was a huge success engaging three volunteers with extensive experience in the visual arts and touch tours to lead the tour.

With the draft program now online, Accessible Arts presents the second national Arts Activated National Conference: Arts – Access – Excellence, bringing together leading thinkers, artists, advocates, practitioners and producers to create dialogue about and showcase examples of excellence in arts and disability.

On Thursday 29 October 2009, more than 250 audience members came to the Mori Gallery in Sydney for the opening of AART.BOXX, Accessible Arts’ national exhibition for artists with disability.

The First Flight Crew had their fifth gig at 'Comedy Is King' at The Westin Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney in late September 09. This event was a major fundraiser night for Down Syndrome NSW and the Crew were invited to open the evening the only way they know how - with break dancing and beat boxing.

Performance / Exhibition : Rozelle : 3 Dec 09 : A very special and rare performance as part of the opening of an exhibition by Australian Art Brut maker Anthony Mannix accompanied by the Loop Orchestra.

Performance : Canberra : 2 & 5 Dec 09 : An inclusive community dance and movement theatre performance project created by women living with and without disabilities in the ACT region.

Exhibition : Canberra : 3 Dec - 20 Dec : A group exhibition that celebrates and values the unique experience of living with disability, exploring concepts of identity, accessibility, connection, wellbeing and acceptance.

Film : Various : 16 Nov - 3 Dec 09 : Access All Areas Film Festival visits venues across NSW featuring free screenings of acclaimed Australian films, which will be made accessible to people with a disability. This event is accessible to all with free entry and accessibility services for those who need them.

Exhibition : Belligen : 1 Dec to 6 Dec : Artworks by local artists living with a disability presented by Bellingen Shire Council's Access Committee.

Unlimited, the UK’s largest ever disability arts program, has been launched by the 2012 Cultural Olympiad as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, planned for July 2012 through to September 2012.

A number of arts and disability initiatives in the ACT are strengthening networks and promoting cross sector inclusion to improve opportunities for people with disability to participate in the arts.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has received an application on behalf of Hoyts Corporation, Greater Union Organisation, Village Cinemas and Reading Cinemas (the applicants) for a Temporary Exemption under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) from complaints in relation to the provision of captions and audio description in cinemas operated by the applicants.

Karina Libby, Festival Coordinator of Access All Areas Film Festival 2009, is excited about new developments happening this year at the festival, which emphasize access is at the core of this touring event.

Two TV industry foundations in New York have teamed up to launch a scholarship for filmmakers with disabilities.