Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the lead

JDK, Wellington based hip hop group

Strategy for dance with no boundaries

For a small country with roughly the same population as metropolitan Sydney, launching the New Zealand Disability and Dance Strategy is a leading move forward for the nation’s dance industry. The strategy was launched in December 2010 by Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ), the national organisation for New Zealand dance. DANZ estimates more than 630,000 New Zealanders of all backgrounds, abilities and ages dance regularly, which is more than play rugby and netball combined. “Dance belongs to everyone and has no boundaries,” Executive Director of DANZ, Tania Kopytko explains. “A person dances in their mind, in their little finger, or in the whole of their body. They dance their joy and frustration, their individual message or their group’s message. This happens in all cultures because dance is universal and across all cultures.” Bronwyn Hayward, a Wellington based dancer, film-maker and disability advocate, researched and compiled the strategy. Read more: Feature article

New scholarship addresses barriers

As part of the AART.BOXX initiative, Accessible Arts has secured funding from Arts NSW for a $4000 professional development scholarship for an individual artist included in this year’s exhibition. The scholarship emphasises the importance of further professional development opportunities that target artists with disability. Whilst highlighting excellence in contemporary visual arts, this award serves to further the career opportunities of the winning artist through a mentoring, study or exhibition opportunity. “This is not about compromise to artistic merit but rather an opportunity to address real barriers to application processes, networking and career development,” said Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development and AART.BOXX facilitator. Since its inception in 2006, AART.BOXX has become a significant national exhibition with a focus on recent works by Australian visual artists with disability. AART.BOXX 11 opens at SCA Gallery, Sydney College of the Arts on the 20 October 2011. Read more: Accessible Arts news

Theatre Company leading example of access

Plans to install a lift at Sydney Theatre Company Wharf 4 have been realised after combined efforts from the Pier Group, STC's fundraising committee, Arts NSW and a number of donors supporting their Upgrading the Wharf project. "Sydney Theatre Company clearly demonstrates that improving access to heritage buildings is possible and good practice in establishing and maintaining standards of access," said Sancha Donald CEO Accessible Arts. Installation of the lift now allows easy access from street level to the walkway and Wharf 4 mezzanine at the venue. The theatre company presents a number of accessible performances each season including Auslan interpreted performances, captioned performances, access for guide dogs, hearing enhancement and headsets in all theatres and audio described performances. Information about these performances is clearly documented on their website. “All bases are covered with providing and promoting accessibility at the venue including online information about access, commonly overlooked by presenters and producers,” Sancha explained.

Access training in an arts context

Accessible Arts is presenting TAFE NSW accredited Disability Awareness and Access training on Monday 30 May 2011, to increase understanding of disability and access issues in an arts context. Accessible Arts has been providing training for over ten years to front of house staff, box office staff, security, volunteer guides, designers, marketing staff and managers from arts organisations and venues. In 2010 Accessible Arts delivered training to 121 staff from the four major cinema chains in Disability Awareness and Access as part of the Cinema Access Implementation Plan. Conservatorium staff from all over New South Wales also received training in Disability Action Planning. This year, Arts Awareness training for people working in the disability sector who would like to support their clients to participate in the arts is also being developed. For more information or to enrol in the next TAFE NSW accredited Disability Awareness and Access training contact Amanda Tink, Accessible Arts Training Coordinator tel: 02 9251 6499 ext 106 or atink@aarts.net.au.

Spreading the word about the Companion Card

Jacqui O’Reilly, the Communications Coordinator for Accessible Arts, recently spent three weeks on an exchange at Arts Access Aotearoa to meet people working in the arts and disability sector in New Zealand. One focus of her visit was presenting information about the success of Australia’s Companion Card to a forum of stakeholders from government, local council and the community. Arts Access Aotearoa is scoping interest and viability for introducing a similar scheme across the country. In Australia, the Companion Card is issued to people with significant disabilities who require a support person to access community activities and venues. The card offers free entry for these companions at venues affiliated to the scheme. “A companion card in New Zealand would encourage inclusion and eliminate the indirect discrimination that may be happening when people needing a carer or support person to attend cultural events, have to pay for two tickets instead of one,” Jacqui said. Read more: Accessible Arts news

Creative Inclusive

Alison Richardson WAPD Creative Director and Gerard O’Dwyer

Award winning actor joins Riverside Theatres

Riverside Theatres Parramatta has joined a small number of arts organisations in Sydney who are providing employment opportunities for people with disability. Gerard O’Dwyer is now working for the arts centre alongside Alison Richardson, the creative director of WAPD, the performing arts program for people with disability offered there. With assistance from Job Support, Gerard is undertaking job training in an environment that compliments his achievements in the arts as an actor and performer. Gerard won Best Male Actor at Tropfest 2009 for his role in Be My Brother, which also won the Best Film award. On stage, Gerard is currently performing in the play Beautiful, a finalist at the Short + Sweet little play festival. His story featured in a promotional film for carecareers last year, which recently won a Bronze award at the Australasian Writers & Arts Directors Association. “I like working at Riverside because I needed a change and because I like being in the theatre and acting,” Gerard said.

Janet Diane, Arts Activated 2010.

Support assists independent production

This month Janet Diane, Sydney based emerging theatre practitioner, is presenting her performance piece I Love You at the Red Rattler Theatre, an artist-run initiative and venue in the inner west of Sydney. This production has been a work in progress since 2008, when it was first presented at a Don't Dis My Ability event in Western Sydney. Since then, with support from Accessible Arts Small Grants funding, the artist has engaged a range of theatre professionals to assist development and presentation of the work. Creative development showings at the Power House Youth Theatre and at the Arts Activated National Conference 2010 resulted from this process. Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Arts Development Accessible Arts said, "Janet delivered a powerful performance at Arts Activated with a very positive audience response. Her self-devised piece demonstrates a range of skills and launches her into Sydney's fringe theatre as an emerging performer and producer." Read more: Whats On

Judi Jenkins at Pablos studio

Creative spaces highlight access in New Zealand

Access to studio space and artistic communities in New Zealand for artists who experience disability, is offered throughout the country at initiatives known as creative spaces. Jacqui O’Reilly visited a number of creative spaces on her recent exchange with Arts Access Aotearoa. “Some of these initiatives have been operating for more than twenty years, yet this sustainability is largely based on commitment and enthusiasm from arts workers, directors and participating artists. Most spaces have little funding or are in a position of instability regarding ongoing financial support,” Jacqui said. “An integrated approach seems to be a key strength of this model, with a range of community members participating across all levels at the centres.” Jacqui spoke to Judi Jenkins, an artist from a creative space in Wellington, Pablos Art Studio. This studio and gallery supports more than 110 artists a year. Access to the studio, art materials and professional tutors is free. Judi spoke openly about the benefits of having access to the studio space. Read more: Arts Access Aotearoa

Events and Opportunities

• City of Sydney Cultural Grants – funding and free community information sessions for cultural activity in the City of Sydney local government area.

Feedback

We invite feedback and suggestions from our readers. Share your experiences of attending any of the listed events or offer suggestions for future newsletter items. Email feedback to info@aarts.net.au.

Send us your news

Contributions to the newsletter are welcome and encouraged. Listings should include the title, date, location, a short description (100 words), plus all available contact details, access details and an image (JPEG or GIF format). Arts events, opportunities or news that will be of interest to people with disability, their families, friends and carers and are accessible will be published. Email contributions to info@aarts.net.au.