Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Accessible Arts is delighted to announce support from the Australia Council for our integrated dance program Catalyst Dance. Accessible Arts CEO Sancha Donald welcomes the grant of $30,000 saying "The funding of Catalyst Dance 2013 will provide an opportunity for dancers with physical disabilities in NSW to explore their abilities in a safe yet challenging environment."

Accessible Arts North Coast has identified a need for more disability awareness and access training in the arts context for our region to improve access for all. To this end Accessible Arts NSW is providing training on the 29th and 30th of May, with Amanda Tink & Sophie Clausen of Accessible Arts NSW at Lennox Head Community Centre.

Accessible Arts 2012 Annual Report is now available for download. Chairperson Emeritus Professor Sharman Pretty is impressed by the depth, breadth and reach of our organisation. In her first year as Chairperson of Accessible Arts, Pretty noted “The ongoing achievements of Accessible Arts would not be possible without its many supporters and volunteers, and without the tremendous dedication of its staff.”

Unlimited UK was a strand of the The Festival of the World, London 2012 Festival, which encouraged Deaf artists and artists with disability to take risks to create work that is not just unlimited but exceptional. The Festival of the World took place at London’s Southbank Centre from the 1-9 September 2012.

Disability awareness training is useful for people working at any level of an arts organisation, or in arts policy or practice.  It provides a practical understanding of disability in an arts context with information and skills relevant to all venues and types of work including festivals and public events.

Competition : Western Sydney : Deadline 19 Sept 2013 : AbleFest is a new short film competition showcasing the skills and talents of people with disabilities.

Call out : National and international : 26 July 2013 : Entries to the 13th annual small sculpture prize are now open.

Call out : Blacktown : Deadline 5 June 2013 : This is a multi-disciplinary, intercultural workshop facilitated by the makers of the performance work Opal Vapour.

Call out : Regional NSW : Closing 28 May 2013 : This annual scholarship supports a professional artist in regional NSW who needs financial assistance to advance his/her career.

Event : Frenchs Forest : 24 May 2013 : Paula Duncan will open "The Art of Life” Exhibition and Sunshine's new community access site.

Meeting : Newcastle : 24 May 2013 : Those working in the arts and disability sectors are invited to a meeting of the Hunter Arts Access Network.

Lindy Morrison, drummer for The Go-Betweens from 1980-1989 is a passionate woman. Her tireless service to the Australian music industry as a performer and advocate was rewarded with the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2013. One of Morrison’s longest gigs, 20 years and counting, has been as musical director of The Junction House Band. Formed in 1987 the band has a full rock line up with musicians on drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, harmonica, violin and vocals. 

Sydney Film Festival have just announced the new Australian documentary River of No Return will have an audio described screening on Saturday 21 June, 12.30pm at the State Theatre.

Mr Graeme Innes AM, Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Commissioner launched the Accessible Cinema program at the 55th Sydney Film Festival on 6 June 2008. The following is a transcript of his speech.

With a tantalising array of films sure to inspire, fascinate and connect all filmgoers, the 2008 Sydney Film Festival and Accessible Arts are keeping you up to date with access information for upcoming screenings.

This year's festival is highly accessible with events that are free, have disability content as well as tactile works. In particular, a free Nightwriting Poetry Installation will feature poets reading their work from memory in the dark and full text versions of the poems will be transformed into body-powered wall projections. Authors to watch out for include:

As an Australian Government agency, the Australia Council has developed the arts and disability action plan 2008 - 2010 to guide the organisation in its operations, programs and strategies in relation to access and equity for people with disabilities.