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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
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
Sarah-Vyne, 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.
Sarah-Vyne is responsible for strengthening foundations and networks for artists with a disability. Consulting with the arts and disability sectors to advocate and develop quality performing arts projects.
Sarah-Vyne is a choreographer, performing artist and educator and has worked in theatre, television, commercial dance and community arts over the last decade. She has worked companies such as; Sydney Festival, DirtyFeet, youMove Company, Western Sydney Dance Action, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sidetrack Theatre Company, Disney, ABC, Outstanding Entertainment and The Australian’s Girls Choir. Highlights include Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies & Rugby World Cup Ceremonies (Choreographic Team), Sydney Festival First Night (Guest Choreographer), Pulse8 Dance Theatre (Artist in Residence), Critical Path (Researcher), DirtyFeet (Board Member) A Moment to Shine (Director). Sarah-Vyne is currently undertaking Honours at Macquarie University and is a recipient in the SCOPE (Securing Career Opportunities and Professional Development) program, conducted by the Australia Council for the Arts and Ausdance.
Sophie Clausen, Access Coordinator
Key Areas: Liaising and consulting with organisations, festivals and audiences to identify successful access initiatives and support implementation.
Sophie liaises with and supports producers, venues and presenters that are currently active in engaging Accessible Arts to improve access. She is also responsible for identifying and working with new stakeholders to advocate for improved access as part of their agendas, and provides information on operational access to develop audiences that include people with disability.
Sophie has worked extensively in the performing arts as an event and production manager. She has worked with STC, MTC and State Theatre Company SA, Company B, Griffin and Playbox as well as working on and with arts festivals including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra’s Australian Theatre Festival, and the Olympic Arts Festival, Sydney. More recently, Sophie has been the event producer on the National Play Festivals in Hobart & Brisbane.
Sophie spent a number of years lecturing stage management and facilitating the running of the production course at NIDA. Although not a practitioner, Sophie loves being a witness to creative expression and story telling in it’s many forms.
Email: ac@aarts.net.au Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 103
Policy and Research Officer
Key areas: Policy and research in the arts and disability sector.
The Policy and Research Officer is responsible for generating, coordinating, collaborating and evaluating issues relating to internal and external policy and research projects. The position also acts as an advocate for inclusion of people with disability in the arts and facilitates methods of active and representative consultation across communities, government, organisations and with individuals.
The Policy and Research Officer has a Master of Social Policy and Planning, Bachelor of Social Work, Graduate Certificates in Management, and Organisational Communication, and is currently undertaking a Diploma of Fine Arts. With extensive experience in the health, welfare and education sectors, previous roles include Social Planner and Grants Officer with local government and Research Officer at a university. The Policy and Research Officer brings numerous years of experience working with the state government, managing funding allocations in the areas of youth, primary health and community programs, and has a nursing background. Currently working two days a week, other pursuits include making, learning and understanding art.
Email: pro@aarts.net.au
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. 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 her web development business Plum Industries and programs an experimental music radioshow and podcast called eleveneleven.
Email: jteo@aarts.net.au Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 111
Jane Pollard, Education & 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: jpollard@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
Tracylee Arestides, Marketing & Media Coordinator
Key Areas: Developing and managing the branding of all external communications and public relations opportunities with stakeholders and the media.
Tracylee is responsible for raising the profile of the organisation and for promoting the programs, partnerships and projects of Accessible Arts to the arts sector, the disability sector and the broader community.
Tracylee brings over 20 years experience in public relations in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, including many years working in the disability sector. She holds an Honors degree in Communications from UTS, is a published author and filmmaker.
Email: marketing@aarts.net.au Phone: 02 9251 6499 ext 101
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