Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

Gurrumul's debut Concert Hall show

Multi award winning artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu will undertake his second national concert tour in August, including two Concert Hall shows at Sydney Opera House. Gurrumul and his collaborator/producer Michael Hohnen will present a different show for this tour which reflects the full instrumentation showcased on Gurrumul's second album Rrakala. Since its release last April, Rrakala has achieved media accolades of the highest order and top end ARIA chart positions, including debuting at number three. The album continues to capture the nation's attention and transcend cultural boundaries. Blind from birth, Gurrumul is from the Gumatj nation, North East Arnhemland. A former member of Yothu Yindi, he has a song writing credit and ARIA for "Treaty", amongst other songs. In 2008, this enigmatic performer released his solo debut Gurrumul. The double platinum ARIA award-winning album went on to sell half a million copies world-wide. Gurrumul is performing at Sydney Opera House 29 and 30 August 2011. Read more - Feature story.

James Rowell, Arts Access Australia building,
Melbourne, 2011.

Expanding the national network

The national body of arts and disability, Arts Access Australia, has changed its constitution enabling its membership to broaden beyond the state peak arts and disability bodies. Membership is now open to any organisation or individual with an interest in arts and disability. Membership offers a range of benefits including the opportunity to participate in nationally coordinated arts and disability policies and priorities and be an active contributor to the growing network. With an extra $500,000 of funding recently received from the Federal Government, Arts Access Australia is developing a number of new initiatives that intersect with the strategic growth of the sector currently gaining momentum across the country. Membership with the national body is an active form of support for this growth as well as an opportunity to contribute to the collective voice of arts and disability in Australia.

Bago Magic Performance Group, Wauchope NSW.

Wauchope All Abilities Hub

A Federal Government grant of $100,000 will see the creation of a community space in Wauchope, designed specifically to be accessed by people of varied physical abilities. “By improving the accessibility to the Community Arts Centre and linking it to a new playground, the area will become a positive community focal point for Wauchope,” said Liam Bulley, Manager of Recreation and Buildings, Port Macquarie/Hastings Council. Bago Magic, a performance group based in Wauchope, recently celebrated its ten year anniversary, and currently has about 40 members, the majority experiencing some type of disability. Mariet Ludriks, founder and director of Bago Magic welcomes improvements to accessibility at the Community Arts Centre. "We have used this venue for our performances in the past, and it feels supportive to know the Council are improving access there. Having a fully accessible venue in our local area reinforces the value and appreciation our community has for the creative work we produce," Mariet said. The grant, part of an $11 million commitment to accessibility initiatives by the Federal Government, will be matched by $115,000 from Council. The intent of the Accessible Communities initiative is to improve the accessibility of community life for people with disability. Read more - Sector news.

Modes of inclusion and a process of discovery

On Friday 8 July 2011, a diverse group of contributors passionate about supporting inclusive dance practice in NSW gathered at CarriageWorks to participate in Accessible Arts' Dance Symposium. Input from the 44 people in attendance was informed from a range of experience, from both the Arts and Disability sectors, including choreographers, dance program facilitators from disability services, dancers with and without disability, dance practitioners from a range of studios, funding body representatives and venue presenters and producers. A shared vision of widening the pathway to dance for people with disability through a range of strategies provided the context for the forum. A vibrant discussion delivered a focus for defining the needs of accessible dance practice in NSW. These needs encompass information creation and exchange; networking; collaborative initiatives with NSW based practitioners; and ongoing support from Ausdance and Accessible Arts. "I have received a lot of positive feedback about the Symposium and this is a result of people taking the time to consider and participate in accessible methods of dance," said Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Arts Development Officer, Accessible Arts. A gallery of images from the dance masterclass facilitated by Restless Dance Theatre is now online. Read more - Accessible Arts news.

Creative Inclusive

Sizzle, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest,
2010.

Funding program shapes arts and disability projects

Accessible Arts’ small grants arts program has been supporting the creative initiatives of the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign since 2002. This year, in partnership with Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), the program has been reshaped and launched under the program banner Delineate. Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Arts Development Officer at Accessible Arts is managing the program and explains, "The new approach has been developed through addressing priorities of the National Arts & Disability Strategy and by addressing previous recipients feedback and evaluations. With a continued focus to offer quality opportunities for projects across NSW, Delineate aims to cultivate a deepening of engagement for project participants, and assistance to prioritise sustainable outcomes." Delineate includes a one-day professional development forum to be held at Walsh Bay in Sydney for all funding recipients. The day will offer skills training in project management, marketing and communications and the overall artistic vision of each project. An additional $500 will be allocated to a professional arts partner for each project, in the role of advisor, mentor or collaborator to further support the $3000 small arts grant program. Applications are open until 29 August 2011.

Georgia Cranko, Angry Eyes, 2010.

Collaboration expands context for emerging artist

Newtown based emerging artist Georgia Cranko received a Don't DIS my ABILITY Small Arts Grant in 2010 for her project Living WITHin Context. Receiving the grant enabled Georgia to work with local artists Georgie Read and Michelle Dennis and producer Claudia Chidiac to create a new performance work. This collaboration supported the development of a solo performance piece and three short films portraying the small, mundane triumphs and failures of a life with a disability, in significant and humorous ways. Georgia's aspirations as an emerging artist, is to develop an interdisciplinary practice combining writing, photography, filmmaking and performance. Conceptually centered in an identity beyond disability, Georgia's work is thought provoking and insightful. "Working intensively with Michelle and Georgia provided a framework for my original ideas. I discovered I really enjoy using my body to convey meaning, and that affirmed my passion for performance art," Georgia explains. Read more – Accessible Arts news.

Sculpture by the Sea Access Tour 2010.

Access embedded in Sculpture by the Sea

As part of an agreement to support festivals to develop accessibility, Accessible Arts has provided training to Sculpture by the Sea staff for the third consecutive year. Twelve staff from all sections of the organisation attended three hours of Disability Awareness and Access training to further embed accessibility practices throughout their organisation. “The training session covered a range of topics to give arts workers confidence in and strategies for being inclusive of people with disability. This included information about the Cultural Ministers Council National Arts and Disability Strategy, which offers a framework to improve the quality of access, participation and experience of people with disability in arts and cultural activities,” said Amanda Tink, Accessible Arts Training Coordinator. Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi celebrates its 15th anniversary this year from 27 October to13 November 2011. An Access Tour Program, accessible parking, large print catalogues and accessible amenities have ensured the 400,000 people who attend the event include people with disability. A virtual tour of 2010 exhibition is now available online.

Cass Samms, Thylacine (question mark), 2011.

Access gives new direction to interactive works

Grafton Regional Gallery is promoting improved access to the arts for people with disability in their current exhibition Fairytales in Fairyland. The show explores the sense of space in Australia that is abundant both physically and conceptually. The abstract of the exhibition was sent out to artists of the North Coast of NSW with an invitation to submit at least one work that was accessible. The twelve selected artists responded with works that move beyond the real or explore the outcomes of belief in fantasy. "Accessibility was a new field of practice for many of the artists and this resulted in new directions in their work," states Jude McBean, Gallery Director and Curator of Fairytales in Fairyland. The paintings, prints, ceramics and sculpture include interactive works including tactile work with textual surfaces. An audio tour for those with low vision has been specially developed as have Braille labels for the accessible works which are installed throughout the exhibition. Fairytales in Fairyland is on display until 28 August 2011.

Events and Opportunities

• For Arts Sake: Call for artworks - Professional and emerging artists, celebrities, friends, families and people with disability are all invited to create and donate an artwork to help FRANS reach its target of exhibiting over 400 anonymous canvases, kindly hosted by Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle.

• Colour My World Art Competition - Total prize pool of $2,500, open to people with disability living in regional NSW who currently attend a disability service.

• The Endeavour Foundation Photography and Short Film Competition 2011 - aims to celebrate and raise awareness about people with disability, with $7,000 worth of cash and prizes awarded by an independent panel.

• OZCO Dance Funding - for projects, arts development and fellowships for Australian artists and arts organisations in dance close end of August.

• Expressions of interest for major arts and disability research project - Arts Access Australia has received funding through the Office for the Arts to deliver research projects involving consultations with the sector.

• Optus Community Grants Program - Not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding for projects aimed at supporting disengaged youth and/or activities that build social inclusion.

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.