Delineate artists and project managers gathered at Accessible Arts at the end of September for a day of roundtable discussion, professional development and project presentations. The six model projects from across the state will feature throughout November and December in various regions, to bring focus to the NSW Government's Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign and to celebrate cultures of disability through the Arts.
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.
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.
Two regional arts and disability projects News
Small grants for artists go a long way
The NSW Government’s celebration for International Day of People with a disability, presented by Ageing, Disability & Homecare was held at the Australian Museum this year on Friday 2 December 2011. Delineate projects, supported by small grants from ADHC and devolved by Accessible Arts, were highlighted at the celebration, to congratulate the range of inclusive projects in progress across the state.
A Leaf from my Book, Suzanne Oxenham’s exhibition at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, attracted 90 people at the launch and 150 people attended the show over two weeks in November. Susan, a visual artist and photographer with low vision, sold eight artworks and 80 calendars, marking the ten year anniversary of her calendar project.
“The Delineate grant meant my work was acknowledged by the Arts and Disability sectors afters nine years of calendar making. It has been rewarding to have financial support, which has enabled increased quality in both the exhibition and calendar production,” she said.
Renata Halusek, producer and actor from Beyond Vision, presented a showing of work from Café La Vida, a theatre piece in its first stage of development.
“Delineate helped us because every one of our members were able to take the time to develop further, there are no words to explain the feeling you have, when you have the chance to do what you’re not ordinarily able to do. Then you grow. We are proud recipients of a second grant and I can see how much have we have grown. Delineate uncovers the hidden talent.”
Janet Dianne and Tish Peiris expressed the value of having professional support and mentorship as part of developing and producing works in theatre and film.
“The Delineate project has given me the opportunity to expand my horizons to understand what I can and cannot do. The professional development day was really beneficial to meet the other recipients, hear about their projects and different art forms. My eyes were opened to other mediums that I never usually see which was really inspiring,” Janet said.
Tish Peiris adds, “Before acquiring my disability I was a very successful journalist on clear career path full of lots of potential. I have found it extremely hard to be taken seriously as a journalist with a disability and finally there is more awareness for artists with disability. I am grateful that Accessible Arts advocate for the Delineate grant and support artists on the road.”