Julie Barratt, the Accessible Arts Officer North Coast has announced the launch of Accessible Arts' Connecting Communities project. A group show of works by artists with disability and local entertainment will take place at the Connecting Communities exhibition, Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina on Saturday 11 February 2012 from 2 to 4 pm.
Accessible Arts’ North Coast based project Connecting Communities is forming a steering committee to discuss inclusive events, forums and audience development across all art forms throughout the region. Artists with a disability, practitioners from the arts and disability sector and representatives from local government and arts venues are encouraged to participate.
Accessible Arts, with support from the NSW Government Family and Community Services, will undertake a capacity building project in the North Coast region of NSW commencing September 2011.News
Connections in the Mid North Coast
North Coast based Accessible Arts Officer Julie Barratt is making connections in the Mid North Coast region. She will visit the Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie area from the 21 to 24 February 2012, to meet with regional galleries, disability support services, artists, art workers and any other community arts organisations working with people with disability.
"This will provide an opportunity for people to discuss upcoming projects or access initiatives and to establish stronger networks to work together," Julie said.
"I would like to touch base with as many people as possible whilst I am there, and will also give a small presentation to Arts Mid North Coast to continue the conversation about strengthening inclusive arts and access throughout the region."
Connecting Communities : Arts and Disability North Coast is a three year project aiming to increase contact, communication and activity between the Arts and Disability sectors in north coast regional areas.
Regional Arts Development Officer Rod Howard from Arts Mid North Coast has experienced first hand the volume and diversity of activity in the arts and disability field on the Mid North Coast.
“It is very important that we share our knowledge and resources in this area, and I know there is real energy and capacity to be tapped into in our region. With Accessible Arts’ support we look forward to growing community access to arts education, participation and projects."
For more information or to discuss the possibility of a meeting contact Julie Barratt tel: 02 6628 0297 or jbarratt@aarts.net.au by the 14 February 2012.