Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

The harder they work, the more they succeed

One of Australia’s most unique rock bands, Rudely Interrupted, have toured internationally playing some of the biggest and most prestigious stages, starred in an AFI nominated, critically acclaimed documentary film, and released their debut record “Tragedy of the Commons.” Rudely Interrupted is neither a novelty act nor a cover band, but rather a Melbourne based group of musicians that write and perform indie-pop, described by The Village Voice as, “… the real deal, with a taut impassioned sound somewhere between the Killers and Wire.” Currently their documentary film is screening at the Sprout Film Festival, a touring festival showcasing thematic films on disability in New York and touring across the United States until June 2011. Read more: Feature

Art programs growing priority for disability service providers

Accessible Arts released findings of a recent survey, Arts Programs/Projects for People with disability in NSW at the Community Participation Conference, presented by National Disability Services in February 2011. The research identifies availability and models of delivery of existing arts programs for people with disability across the state. Accessible Arts CEO Sancha Donald said, "Arts programs are a growing priority for disability service providers, including digital media projects using new technologies.” The findings also identify a low proportion of arts professionals presenting arts programs, low use of arts specific locations and high occurrence of programs delivered in non-integrated settings. The research, now available online, was funded by the Department of Human Services, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, and is a useful resource for both government and the disability sector when scoping and planning future programs and projects.

Mentorship addresses gap for performer with disability

In early 2011, performer Tracie Sammut embarked on a 20-week mentorship program to develop skills as a theatre workshop facilitator and present workshops for young people in partnership with Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). Titled Acceptance, the inclusive workshop series is the creative framework for Sammut to develop as a facilitator. She devised the concept from her own lived experience of being a performer with Down Sydnrome. Sammut states that discrimination is a challenge. “I want to use my skills, experience and knowledge as a teacher and be acknowledged for my work, not just with people with disability but to work with the whole community,” she said. To achieve this, Sammut was proactive in addressing the gap for mentorship opportunities for artists with intellectual disability. She approached Accessible Arts for assistance to develop a grant application to the Australia Council for the Arts and was successful with her application. Read more: Accessible Arts News

Auslan interpreted pre-show workshop, Me and My Shadow,
Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House demonstrates access innovation

A gathering of access champions from the arts across greater Sydney, gathered at Sydney Opera House on Friday 8 April, to learn about improved access at the Opera House and experience an example of inclusive live theatre for young people with disability. Louise Savage OAM and four time Paralympian addressed the group, commending the Opera House on physical upgrades to access and welcoming an inclusive approach to House:Ed, the Sydney Opera House Youth & Education Program. Jenny Spinak, Program Manager Accessibility at Sydney Opera House, drew attention to the potential of partnerships within access initiatives and welcomed a variety of interest from disability service providers, arts workers and community organisations. A performance of Me and My Shadow by Patch Theatre Company followed, with a large group of children attending from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in North Rocks. For some, this was their first time at the Opera House and their excitement was palpable, as they participated in an educational pre-show workshop, an Auslan interpreted performance of the show and a Q & A with cast and crew to follow. Read more: Sector News

Register now for Disability Awareness and Access Training

Accessible Arts is offering Disability Awareness and Access Training on Monday 30 May from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Pier 4, The Wharf, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. This training is designed to increase understanding of disability and access issues in an arts context and is offered with or without TAFE NSW accreditation. Accessible Arts has been providing disability awareness and access training specific to the arts for over ten years. In March, training was delivered to reception and audience control staff at the ABC in Sydney, as part of one of the strategies included in the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan 2008-2011. The objective is to implement the ABC’s charter to reflect the diversity of Australian life through the provision of inclusive and accessible content and services by and for all Australians. For more information or to book into the next Disability Awareness and Access Training in May contact Amanda Tink, Training Coordinator Accessible Arts tel: 02 9251 6499 ext 106 or atink@aarts.net.au.

Creative Inclusive

Looking Out Looking In, Eurobodalla, 2010.

Regional arts and disability on YouTube

Two regional arts and disability projects Drumming to our Own Beat held in Byron Bay and Looking Out Looking In held in Eurobodalla, are featured in a short film clip produced by Accessible Arts, documenting regional participation in the 2010 Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign. The clip is being broadcast on the Accessible Arts’ YouTube Channel and on the Accessible Arts’ website, profiling a range of people involved in the regional projects. Both projects were funded under the Accessible Arts Small Grants funding program, devolved on behalf of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Human Services. Projects also received marketing support and were profiled on Accessible Arts’ website to gain an online presence, often beyond the resources of small regional initiatives. Improving awareness of arts and disability projects, programs and artists with disability in regional and rural NSW is a goal of Accessible Arts’ Rural and Regional Engagement Strategy. Read more: Accessible Arts News

Audience Reference Group conference call meeting,
April 2011.

Reference group contributes voice of experience

The Audience Reference Group came together in early April 2011 to give voice to Accessible Arts' advocacy work, striving to achieve full access for audience members at arts and cultural events. The reference group meets three times a year with a range of issues on their agenda, including most recently, contributing to the scope and development of Accessible Arts' strategic plan for 2012-2014. Members of the group also feed back their professional and personal experiences of access to the arts as people with disability who have an interest in and regularly attend arts and cultural events. Simon Darcy, is anAssociate Prof with the University of Technology Sydney, Business School and a disability advocate who is passionate about experiencing a rich cultural life. He has been a member of the group for three years and states: “Participating in this forum is a way of being proactive rather than reactive about accessibility, and strategically communicates the way that we want our cultural environments shaped as spaces for all,” Read more: Accessible Arts News

Inside Outside : exhibition of hybrid musical instruments

Stefaen Day, Sydney based musician and instrument maker, is exhibiting a number of innovative hybrid instruments and performing live everyday at Inside Outside, his self produced show being presented during the Sydney Writers Festival at Pier 4, The Wharf, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. Stefaen makes unusual electric and acoustic stringed instruments out of Australian hardwoods at his self made studio built from a converted box-trailer. His instruments are designed to be played sitting down and Stefaen will perform ‘elbow drumming’ demonstrations on his hand built drumkit, a technique developed for paraplegics where the elbows take over the job of the feet. The show will also feature a sound system that takes a sideways look at audio speakers, another of Stefaen’s works. Having performed at a range of festivals and events including Frigid, Peats Ridge, Exodus and Salmagundi Studios, Stefaen’s works have been attracting attention amongst music lovers and innovators for the last decade and he has released 3 EP’s of original instrumental music. Read more: What's On

Sector awaits progress report on National Arts & Disability Strategy

Accessible Arts contacted the Cultural Ministers Council in April, to enquire about the progress of actions committed to in the National Arts and Disability Strategy, released in October 2009. Many in the arts & disability sector are waiting for the reported progress on this Strategy and the release of a communiqué that will provide information about this progress. "We do look forward to receiving this information to learn how New South Wales has played a part in achieving positive outcomes for people with disability," said Sancha Donald, CEO Accessible Arts. With the Cultural Ministers Council and its Working/Steering Committees discontinuing at the end of this financial year, Accessible Arts has advocated that the agenda and ensuing actions committed to in the National Arts and Disability Strategy remains a primary focus for the Arts and Disability Strategy Steering Committee. Accessible Arts will continue to advocate for action when the intergovernmental forum restructures in the new financial year.

Events and Opportunities

• Audio described performance of Turns - Q Theatre presents a music and dance theatrical journey starring Nancye Hayes and Reg Livermore.

• Lawyers, Guns and Money: Auslan interpreted event at Sydney Writers' Festival - Award winning crime writer Michael Connelly will be in conversation with Kerry O'Brien.

• Dreams and Journeys exhibition - Exhibition by participants of Dulkara Day Service art program in Castle Hill.

• Tom Bass Sculpture scholarship - Opportunity for emerging artists with disability at Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School.

• Call Out: Bundanon Residency - Accessible Arts in partnership with the Bundanon Trust are providing an artist in residency opportunity for a NSW artist with disability.

• On With The Show - A performance that will take you on a journey through the wonder years

• Get On Stage charity lunch - Riverside Theatre is delighted to host a charity lunch to help raise $50,000 for the WAPD (Workshops in the Arts for People with Disabilities) program.

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.