Accessible Arts supports the facilitation of a number of sector networks to champion innovative access in arts development and audience development. Becoming involved offers peer exchange, professional development and a closer look at how excellence in access is being achieved.
The first year of a series of meetings bringing together Disability Services that deliver creative programs, has been a successful initiative for its members and for Accessible Arts.
Ten representatives from disability services across metropolitan Sydney gathered at Accessible Arts on 4 November 2010 to establish a group to support the work of creative program managers and art workers.News
Sunnyfield policy fosters artistic merit
Ten representatives from Disability Services joined the Accessible Arts Creative Programs meeting on 3 November 2011. Service providers and artists discussed policy development, including the consultation surrounding the development of the National Cultural Policy.
The meeting was hosted by Sunnyfield Independence, based in French's Forest, who presented their recent activities in digital filmmaking and visual arts. Their film Red Day at the Cake Factory produced in partnership with Manly Youth Council in 2010, was shown at Framing Gravity, Accessible Arts’ national biennale art exhibition. This film is among a range of works and performances the service is producing as part of its vibrant arts program. In opening the Framing Gravity exhibition Glen Barkley, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Arts highly commended Red Day at the Cake Factory.
Gaye Fleming, Community Cultural and Arts Coordinator, is the driving force behind developing the cultural activities for Sunnyfield. She discussed her process and rationale for developing a Community, Cultural and Arts Program Policy for Sunnyfield at the Creative Programs group. This policy articulates Sunnyfield's vision of cultural and artistic experience for the people they support.
Thanks to Sunnyfield independence, their Community, Cultural and Arts Program Policy is now available on the Accessible Arts website as an example for other services developing similar policies.
Minutes for the November Creative Programs in Disability Services meeting are now online and dates for next year’s meetings are also available.