Accessible Arts Monthly Newsletter
Newsletter :: June 2008
Morning Flight by Kelly Walker AART.BOXX 07
Welcome to the June Accessible Arts newsletter. This month we welcome a new board member to Accessible Arts, feature the Accessible Cinema program at the 55th Sydney Film Festival and congratulate the winner of the Accessible Arts Local Government Cultural Award. The 2007 Accessible Arts Annual Report is now online and we invite all subscribers to view this comprehensive summary of undertakings and activities achieved last year.
Accessible Arts News
Dougie Herd joins the board of Accessible Arts
Accessible Arts would like to welcome Dougie Herd, Director of the Disability Council of NSW to our Board of Directors. The Disability Council of NSW is the official adviser to the NSW Government and the State Disability Advisory Body to the Commonwealth Government. Dougie, originally from Scotland, was given permanent residency status in 2004 on the basis of being a "Distinguished Talent" with an international standing of excellence in the field of social justice and the rights of people with a disability. He also brings a personal experience of disability to the board. We are extremely fortunate to have Dougie join us. The team at Accessible Arts is looking forward to working with him.
Councilor Fred Anderson (far left) with
Camden Council staff and Sancha Donald,
CEO, Accessible Arts.
Camden Creative Studios wins Accessible Arts Local Government Cultural Awards
A new traditional and digital arts studio at the Narellan Library in Camden has won the inaugural Accessible Arts Local Government Cultural Award. The studio provides education, new skills and greater opportunities for creative expression to people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities living in the Camden area. Some of the first works to come out of the studio have been by people with a disability including a selection of short films that were screened last August last year and the feature documentary ‘Push it, think outside the chair’ about local resident and international Paralympic medallist Paul Nunnari. The Accessible Arts Award has highlighted a dozen excellent projects for, by or about people with a disability, and provided a forum for all nominees to articulate how they are improving access and benefiting the whole community. Read more...
Community members from the South Coast
region speak up about arts and disability
in their region.
The South Coast Speaks Up
The need for local or mobile arts and disability programs in the South Coast region was one of several issues raised at the recent Accessible Arts regional consultation in Moruya. Individuals with a disability and representatives from arts and disability organizations were among twenty community members who voiced their concerns about a lack of local resources. People with a disability can spend up to four hours a day traveling to arts programs. Kim Abdou from Moruya Day Programs advocated for a purpose built cultural centre in the area, to provide an accessible and inclusive ‘home for art’ for all community members. Accredited arts training courses and arts mentor programs for emerging artists with a disability were also identified as a priority by Matthew Perry, Tulgeen Group, Bega. With thanks to Eurobododalla Shire Council for hosting the consultation, Accessible Arts is developing a Cultural Action Plan with information gathered at this and other regional consultations. Read an overview of the South Coast Consultation. Transcript available soon. For more information contact Alison McLaren, Audience Development, ph 02 9251 6499 (ext 6) or amclaren@aarts.net.au.
Profile: Natalie Hoare (Dancer)
Every Saturday for the last five years Natalie Hoare has been doing her weekly dance class at Integrated Dance, Pier 4, Walsh Bay - a class offered by Sydney Dance Company in partnership with Accessible Arts. Her passion and long standing commitment to the class reflects an interest that started in her early years. She can remember watching her mother dance when she was only four years old. These days it’s hip-hop, jazz and tap that maintain her interest and the new routines she learns each week. It is also meeting other dancers and being part of a yearly Sydney Dance Company performance. In March, Natalie performed at the Care Connect Health and Wellbeing Expo at Kingsford RSL with Yumi Schaefer, her dance teacher. It is for all these reasons Natalie keeps attending Integrated Dance and not least, Natalie stated ‘because I get to dance, which I love’.
We need peace on earth,
Bradley Halabe, AART.BOXX07
AART.BOXX entries to close this month
AART.BOXX entries for pre-selection are due Monday 16 June 2008. The AART.BOXX committee is enthusiastic about experiencing and selecting works at their next meeting in late June. This collective is made up of people under 30, with and without a disability, who are cultivating their own careers as artists, arts workers and advocates for inclusive arts practices. Emilie Owens is one such committee member, who has recently accepted an acting assistant curator position at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Despite moving to the nation's capital, Emilie will continue to advocate for AART.BOXX and looks forward to attending the exhibition later this year. Download and submit your application for pre-selection before the deadline. For further info contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au.
Training session, Arts Activated Conference
2007.
Register now for Disability Awareness and Access Training
Accessible Arts is offering a half-day TAFE accredited Disability Awareness and Access workshop, on Tuesday 24 June 2008, from 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Accessible Arts Training Room, Pier 4, The Wharf, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. The workshop aims to identify barriers faced by people with a disability when accessing venues and participating in events. It will identify strategies for breaking down physical and attitudinal barriers, increasing access and increasing confidence when dealing with access issues for people with a disability. The workshop is ideal for those working in arts organisations e.g. front of house staff, box office staff, arts administrators and disability arts workers. Cost: $80.00. Registration deadline: Tuesday 10 June 2008. More info contact Jane Pollard, Training Manager, tel: 02 9251 6499 ext 3 or training.manager@aarts.net.au. Download booking form here.
Marrickville local Indigenous artist Phemie
Bostock next to the new platform lift at
Chrissie Cotter Gallery.
Audience Development Tip of the Month:
Accessible art galleries increase visitors and invite diversity
Accessible Arts would like to congratulate Marrickville Council for improvements to the Chrissie Cotter Gallery, now accessible for artists and visitors with a disability. The Gallery upgrade includes the installation of a low-rise platform lift, external accessible ramp and accessible toilets. Improved access to the gallery allows people with a disability greater access to exhibitions and broadens the programming in the gallery for artists with access requirements. Chrissie Cotter Gallery features exhibitions by emerging and established artists and arts workers using experimental and contemporary art forms and styles that explore diverse themes such as ethnicity, Aboriginal women's issues, post modernity, the environment, gay and lesbian issues, the elderly and young people. Exhibition proposals are now being accepted. For further information contact Anna Bazzi Backhouse, Arts and Cultural Development Coordinator tel: 9335 2233 or acdc@marrickville.nsw.gov.au.
Sector News
June is the Month of Film in Sydney
The 55th Sydney Film Festival, 4 – 22 June 2008, in partnership withAccessible Arts are ensuring the future of accessible cinema. Thefestival’s Accessible Cinema program includes the free forum Silence is Golden - a snapshot of film access around the world and discussion on why accessible film creates community, commercial and artistic sense. Panelists from Media Access Australia, Roadshow Entertainment and Atlab Australia will present the forum on 12.30 pm, Tuesday 17 June, Reel Room, State Theatre. Audio described screenings for filmgoers who are blind or have low vision include the new Australian feature film Newcastle, Monday 16 June at 8.30 pm, Dendy Opera Quays as well as And When Did You Last See Your Father, Wednesday 18 June 6.30pm, State Theatre. Academy Award winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side will have an open captioned screening on Monday 16 June 8.30pm, George Street Cinema 9.
Accessible Arts staff film picks include Born Without, Her Name is Sabine, Body of War, and Ben X. These films range in topics from autism to deafness and provoke thought, entertain and exhibit talented film-making. Red Like the Sky is recommended for ages 8 years and up, and is based on the childhood experiences of renowned cinematic sound editor Mirco Meacacci who lost his sight as a child and discovered his talent for sound engineering on a reel-to-reel tape recorder at a harsh boarding school for the blind. Book tickets early and view the full program here.
Nulsen Haven in Western Australia example
of successful community program.
Arts Access Australia budget response
Among the arts initiatives announced in the 2008-09 budget, the government confirmed $10 million over four years for a Creative Communities program, which aims to give all Australians the opportunity to experience the arts in the places where they live. Funds will be allocated by the Australia Council towards initiatives focused on participation in the arts, community partnerships and regional community projects. The government mentioned the Nulsen Haven Association in Western Australia, which creates music and voice programs for people with a disability, as one example of a successful grassroots community program. Big hart Inc, community based projects, such as Ngapartji Ngapartji was also mentioned. Gareth Wreford, Executive Director of Arts Access Australia commented, “Arts Access Australia welcomes the Federal government’s announcements of new money for the Australia Council to support creative communities, artists in residence in schools and young and emerging arts workers. We expect each of these new initiatives to include people with a disability in keeping with the Australia Council’s new Disability Action Plan for 2008-10.”
Blind, As You See It, Director Michal
Imielski
Shh Production Company explores blindness and vision impairment
Blind, as you see it, a visual and sonic investigation into the loss of sight, is a multi-phase production being devised by Blacktown based production company Shh. Accessible Arts will auspice the ongoing development of this production, which to date has included director/writer/composer Michal Imielski conducting a series of interviews with individuals who have lost their sight and drawing on experimental puppetry, dance, movement, video art and sound composition to portray the issues blind and vision impaired people experience. Part 1 phase 1 of Blind as you see it was performed at the Sydney Opera House in March 2007 and depicted the experiences of a young women’s degeneration of sight and blindness. Watch Blind as you see it on YouTube. Read an article about the project.
Image courtesy of Daniel
Bodimeade,
Studio ARTES, 2007
Carnivale ARTES Creative Festival
The Mayor of Hornsby will officially open Carnivale ARTES 2008, the annual art festival of Studio ARTES, on Friday 4th July at 6 pm followed by an evening of visual and performance art. Tickets: $25.00. A variety of arts workshops will follow all weekend and are open to all people of all abilities. Printmaking, model making, cartooning, puppetry, sculpture, theatre skills and music are some of what’s on the program. Cost: $10 per workshop. A communal weaving project will also be open to festival goers at Gallery ARTES, the commercial gallery attached to Studio ARTES, 181 Pacific Hwy, Hornsby. For more information or to book your tickets tel: 02 9482 5266 or georgina@studioartes.com.au.
Speak Up at Central West Arts and Disability Forum
Arts Outwest is hosting the Central West Arts and Disability Forum on Monday 30 June between 10am and 4pm at The Forum, Orange Civic Theatre, Byng Street, Orange. Performances, a gallery tour and a 'Speak Up' session facilitated by Alison McLaren, Audience Development Officer for Accessible Arts are on the program. The ‘Speak Up’ session will identify arts and disability projects in the region and ways in which Arts Outwest, local communities and Accessible Arts can increase access for people with disabilities to the arts. To RSVP, please contact Arts Outwest 02 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au by Friday 20 June. The venue is wheelchair accessible with direct access from the car park. Three wheelchair accessible spaces (one directly outside the Theatre and two outside the Library) are available. A wheelchair accessible toilet is also available. Lunch will be provided.
Penrith offers Artists community toolkit workshops
Penrith City Council have put together an exciting series of six free workshops featuring guest speakers from across the arts, community and cultural sectors. Workshop presenters include: Community Cultural Development New South Wales (CCDNSW), Arts Law Centre of Australia, The Australia Council and Artsupport, Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) and Accessible Arts. Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator at Western Sydney Accessible Arts is presenting a workshop on creating inclusive and accessible projects for participants and audiences, from 10.30 am to 1pm, Tuesday 24 June at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High St, Penrith. For more information contact Cali Vandyk-Dunlevy on 02 4732 8098 or email cvandyk-dunlevy@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Opera House Shuttle Bus
Sydney Opera House Free Shuttle Bus
Designed to make the Sydney Opera House more accessible for all patrons, a free shuttle bus service now operates from Circular Quay to the Opera House at most performance times except Sunday evenings. It leaves from Circular Quay at Stand E in front of Wharf 2 and sets down on site, close to all venue entrances. The bus runs return trips after curtains down. For performances at the Opera Theatre and the Concert Hall the bus runs 75 minutes before matinee and evening performances continuously for one hour. For Drama Theatre performances the bus runs 45 minutes before all matinee and evening performances continuously for 30 minutes. For Playhouse performances the bus runs 45 minutes before all evening performances for 30 minutes. For more information tel: 02 9250 7111 or email info@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Regional Focus
Nominate your volunteers for Regional Arts Australia 2008 Volunteer Awards
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Awards. These awards recognise, reward and encourage regionally-based artists and cultural volunteers who have made a substantial contribution to the arts in regional communities in Australia. The two categories for nominations include; Sustained Contribution Award, to recognise a regionally-based arts volunteer who has made a significant contribution to the arts in regional Australia over a period of five years and the Youth Award, to recognise a young, regionally-based arts volunteer, 26 years and under, who has made a significant contribution to the arts in regional Australia. Nominations close: 5pm Wednesday 16 July 2008. For more information contact Jo McDonald, Regional Arts Australia, tel: 08 8444 0428 or info@regionalarts.com.au.
International Focus
Betty Siegel, Director of Accessibility, Kennedy
Centre for Performing Arts, Washington
Arts and Disability International Speaker to tour Australia
Betty Siegel, Director of Accessibility, Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington USA, will undertake a national tour from Tuesday 2 to Thursday 11 September 2008. Accessible Arts has secured funding from Australia Council for the Arts, Media Access Australia, Arts Access Victoria and Arts Access Australia to host the tour. Keynote presentations at a series of seminars and forums in Sydney and Melbourne are being planned. Arts organizations will gain benefit from Betty’s expertise in the delivery of disability and access services. Betty’s experience with LEAD, a national professional network of more than 100 organizations in the US, focused on expanding the breadth and scope of accessibility services and programming, is contributing to the development of arts access initiatives here in Australia. To register your interest in meeting Betty, please contact Alison McLaren, Audience Development, tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 6) or amclaren@aarts.net.au.
Feedback
We invite you to comment on any of the items in this month’snewsletter, share your experiences of attending any of the listedevents in June or offer suggestions for future newsletter items. Email your feedback to info@aarts.net.au.
Send us your news
Contributions to the newsletter are welcome and encouraged. Please send us your item by the 15th of the month,for the following month’s edition. Listings should include the title,date, location, a short (100 word) description plus all availablecontact details, access details and an image (JPEG or GIF format). Artsevents, opportunities or news that will be of interest to people withdisabilities, their families, friends and carers and are accessiblewill be published. Email contributions to: info@aarts.net.au.