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Leading Examples
of Inclusion of People with
Disabilities in the Arts

Accessible Arts Conference
26-27th September 2007
Venue: Sydney Conservatorium of Music

 

The inaugural Arts Activated Conference is over for 2007 and it was a huge success!

On behalf of the team at Accessible Arts I would like to thank all our keynote speakers, presenters, performers and delegates for so enthusiastically embracing the concept of the conference.

Thank you also to all our sponsors, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, the Motor Accident Authority, National Disability Services, Arts NSW, Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and our partner The Spastic Centre.

Highlights of the conference included moving and memorable performances by Tim McAllum, Annika Hooper and Aimee Crathern from Tutti Ensemble and the Australian Theatre of the Deaf.

If you would like more information on any of the presentations or have any feedback or suggestions for future conferences please contact Accessible Arts either by email info@aarts.net.au or phone 02 9251 6499.

Katy Mercer
Conference Convenor

Australian Theatre of the Deaf performing 'Futures' at the closing session of the conference. From left to right Bethany Robinson, Bowyn Cleary and Michael Ng.

Aimee Crathern and Annika Hooper from Tutti Ensemble in South Australia received a standing ovation for their performance at the opening session on Day Two. Pat Rix (far right) their Artistic Director looks on before delivering her keynote speech.

 

The Arts Activated Conference 2007 was the first of its kind to be held in NSW. It was organised by Accessible Arts, the peak arts and disability organisation across New South Wales, in partnership with the Spastic Centre.

The Arts Activated Conference in 2007 was a celebration for all those passionate about people with disabilities and their active inclusion and participation in the arts.

It was an opportunity to:

• participate in seminars and practical workshops in dance, theatre, visual arts, audience development and community cultural development
• acknowledge, share and network with other practitioners and administrators
• be inspired by innovative and groundbreaking programs, ideas and facilitators

The conference took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was opened by the Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Kristina Keneally MP.

Key note speakers and performers at the conference included:

Tabitha Allum Chief Executive of STAGETEXT, an organisation established in 2000 to promote and provide captioning in theatre across the United Kingdom so that deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people have full access to live performance.

Tim McCallum, singer and actor, who after an accident was left paralysed from the chest down with only partial use of his arms. He has gone on to perform in Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd and the musical Rent.

Pat Rix, Artistic Director of Tutti Ensemble, a recognised leader in community cultural development and disability culture in South Australia.

Australian Theatre of the Deaf, the only professional deaf company in Australia performing ‘Futures’.

 

For further information regarding the conference please contact Accessible Arts on 02 9251 6499 or email kmercer@aarts.net.au.

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Conference logo developed from original artwork by Lyn Jackson
from Studio Artes Northside Inc.