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Accessible Arts Staff
Sancha Donald, Chief Executive Officer
Key areas: Strategic development, policy initiatives, advocacy, funding development, stakeholder support and general management.
Sancha oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation including, organisational development and the management of resources. Development of key relationships with the arts sector and disability sector, promotion of the role of organisation through networking and representation and sustaining current and establishing new funding avenues for the organisation.
Sancha has been in the role since 2005. She began her career as a Physical Education and Arts teacher and taught for nine years in Melbourne and Sydney. Following teaching Sancha took up a position as the Deputy Director of the University of Sydney Sports’ Association. This role was followed by her appointment as CEO of Technical Aid to the Disabled. She brings broad general management skills, a knowledge of the disability sector and the not for profit sector to the role.
Email: sdonald@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 102
Naomi Bower, Development Manager
Key areas: Overseeing all aspects of the Accessible Arts' annual fundraising strategy and building partnerships in the government, philanthropic and corporate sectors and the broader community.
Naomi is responsible for building relationships and revenue from philanthropic trusts and foundations, corporate entities and the general public, as well as raising the profile of Accessible Arts within each of these sectors.
Naomi has worked in community and public arts for ten years, including eight years in London from 2000 to 2008. Her roles have included co-ordinating creative training schemes for disadvantaged communities, helping to develop a south London community arts hub and promoting the role of the arts in local regeneration for the London Borough of Southwark. Her work in Southwark included establishing a local creative industries network. She has a passion for the role arts can play in bringing people together and loves to see the creative sparks fly when people connect.
Email: nbower@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 103
Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer
Key areas: Providing professional assistance to organisations and individuals in the arts and disability sectors working to establish and improve programs that enable people with disabilities to develop their creative potential.
Josie is responsible for ensuring quality arts programs and creative opportunities for people with a disability across NSW. Liaising with artists, the disability sector and arts workers are an integral part of this role. Her work also extends to enabling platforms for emerging and established artists with a disability to develop and showcase their work.
Josie is a practicing visual artist with over fifteen years experience exhibiting in both Australia and overseas. This includes artist run spaces, museums, galleries and public spaces. She holds an Honors degree in Fine Arts from the University of Western Sydney where she received a student scholarship, enabling her to study at Silpakorn University, Thailand. Her experience as a facilitator and disability arts worker crosses a broad spectrum and has included major art institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Space, local government, disability organisations and independent arts projects.
Email: jcavallaro@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 105
Becky Chapman, Arts Development Officer
Key areas: Leading the NSW Arts and Disability sectors in the creation of opportunities for greater cultural access to people with a disability.
Becky shares responsibility for providing professional assistance to organizations and artists; initiating and supporting strategic and sustainable arts projects; brokering partnerships between the arts and disability sectors to extend access.
Becky is a theatre practitioner with over 20 years experience of the arts sector both in Australia and overseas. Her work includes directing, dramaturgy, teaching and producing with a particular focus on work with and for young people. In Australia, Becky has directed shows at The Studio Sydney Opera House, Riverside Theatres Parramatta and The Museum of Contemporary Art, all for The Australian Theatre for Young People. Her experience also includes working with remote and urban communities across NSW and Nationally in partnership with business, community, cultural and health sectors.
Email: bchapman@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 105
Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, Western Sydney
Key areas: Creative programs and professional development opportunities for people with a disability in all artistic disciplines, museum, gallery and performing arts tours.
Alison is responsible for coordinating quality arts programs and creative opportunities for people with a disability across Western Sydney.
Alison has worked extensively as a theatre director and tutor for community theatre companies, Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Shopfront Theatre, PACT Theatre and Australian Theatre For Young People. She was the Community Outreach Worker at Powerhouse Youth Theatre where she directed and produced several events for marginalised and disadvantaged youth. She has worked extensively as a drama tutor/director for various disability services and has established sliced bread attraction an organisation committed to creating creative opportunities for people of all abilities. She was the 2007 recipient of the Young Leaders Award for 2007 from the Australia Council for the Arts in acknowledgement for her commitment to community arts.
Email: arichardson@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 112
Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Western Sydney
Key areas: Advocacy, policy and strategic initiatives, consultation, forms networks, skills development and dialogue opportunities between arts and disability sectors.
Jennifer is responsible for the strategic development of sustainable programs and increased access to creative opportunities for people with a disability across Western Sydney.
Jennifer is a qualified Occupational Therapist and has worked in the disability sector for over fifteen years. She has worked on community development projects, developing aged care and disability services and resources with indigenous communities throughout Central Australia and Cape York Peninsula. Jennifer also works as a digital media tutor at the SoundHouse VectorLab (Powerhouse Museum) and is interested in the creative applications of technology, with a specific interest in sound and media arts. As an artist, director and curator, Jennifer has produced numerous installations and electronic music events in Sydney and Cairns, and is the Sydney co-director of Liquid Architecture, a national sound arts festival. She also runs Plum Industries and programs an experimental music radio show / podcast.
Email: jteo@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 111
Jane Pollard, Training Manager
Key areas: TAFE accredited & customised training management.
Jane is responsible for overseeing the delivery and development of quality training, and seeking opportunities to further develop the professional development arm of the organisation.
Jane is an educationalist with 20 years experience ranging from classroom teaching on a small Aboriginal Community in the Northern Territory through to overseeing the delivery of adult education programs for a number of community based Registered Training Organisations. Jane is also a practicing jeweller with a well-established studio/showroom in Enmore. She exhibits regularly and sells nationally through gallery stores.
Jane is committed to pursuing a career that promotes the principles of social justice and one that nurtures her interest in the arts.
Email: training.manager@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 106
Jacqui O'Reilly, Communications Coordinator
Key areas: Providing information and referral service to the arts and disability sectors, including Website, Information Service and Monthly Newsletter.
Jacqui is responsible for the communication of creative opportunities for people with a disability across NSW and raising awareness about the work of Accessible Arts. This includes producing a monthly newsletter, developing the website and liasing with individuals and organisations across the arts and disability sectors.
Jacqui has worked extensively in community arts and services for many years, including organising events and community groups, training, providing customer service and performing as a musician. Her work with early school leavers in music and communication projects at Hunter Valley WEA was awarded high commendation by the organisation. She has worked on projects with East Side Arts, Newtown Festival, Newcastle Fringe Festival, the Bondi Wave and in the folk festival circuit as a singer/songwriter. Jacqui is currently developing electronic music projects that include opportunities for people with disabilities. She is passionate about participation in cultural activities and the connection and meaning this can provide.
Email: info@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 101
Anneke Barnes, Access to Festival Coordinator
Key Areas: Liaising and coordinating with festivals and audiences to identify successful access initiatives and facilitate discussion about creating inclusive opportunities for audiences, artists and arts professionals with disability for future festivals.
Anneke is responsible for liaising and working with festival organisers to improve access to festivals across Sydney and NSW. Whilst liaising and encouraging festivals that are currently active in engaging Accessible Arts, Anneke will be also be identifying and working with festivals to have access included as part of their agendas.
Anneke holds a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Technical Production), NIDA. She has worked on festivals such as Sydney Festival, Vibe Alive Festival and large-scale events including the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 16th Asian Games. Anneke is passionate about improving access to the arts and working towards the realization of equal rights for people with disability in the arts.
Email: abarnes@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 107
Matt Stewart, inter/Act Workshop Coordinator
Key areas: Maintaining and further developing performing arts opportunities for school aged youth with disability in major arts centres across Western Sydney.
Matt coordinates the inter/Act integrated performance workshop program for people with and without a disability. Based at Powerhouse Youth Theatre in Fairfield for one day per week, Matt works with major arts centres across Western Sydney such as Blacktown Arts Centre and Parramatta Riverside Theatres.
Matt has a wealth of experience in the theatre and youth sector. He has spent 20 years as a professional theatre practitioner in Sydney and co-founded Darlinghurst Theatre Company in 1992, where he was the General Manager. In 2004, Matt managed the "Messages Program," an arts program in Canberra for young people experiencing depression and social isolation. He is a great believer in using the performing arts as a tool to help and enhance the lives of those who are disenfranchised or separated in some way from the greater community.
Email: matt@pyt.com.au
Mukesh Bhardwaj, Accounts and Administration Manager
Key areas: General company administration, office and resource management, accounts and overall financial management.
Mukesh holds professional membership of CPA Australia (ASA), National institute of Accountants (PNA), Chartered Secretaries (ACIS) and AIM. Educated in India, Nigeria and Australia in the field of accounting, commerce and computer science. He has worked in various commercial organisations in accounting, finance and management.
Email: mbhardwaj@aarts.net.au
Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 108