Accessible Arts Monthly Newsletter
Newsletter :: October 2008
This month’s newsletter brings a fresh perspective on the news and events that we generally feature. Taking the Lead promotes items that bridge the gap between the arts and people with a disability through innovative leadership. The new focus also highlights the Creative Inclusive work of Accessible Arts and other organisations that provide opportunities to enable people with a disability to experience and participate in the arts and cultural life.
Taking the Lead
POW WOW offers inclusive creative program know-how
A broad range of people involved in the arts and disability sectors are expected at this month’s POW WOW forum at Parramatta Riverside Theatre on Wednesday 15 October 2008. The forum will focus on ways to develop and sustain inclusive creative programs within the greater Western Sydney area. Information for arts workers interested in working with people with disabilities will be presented by speakers from key organisations such as the Australia Council for the Arts, The Spastic Centre and Powerhouse Youth Theatre. Disability services will learn how to fund and create innovative arts events and programs. A long lunch and an interactive approach will encourage shared dialogue and the development of arts and disability networks. Read more…
Budgeting for Access
It’s that time of the year again when organisations start to consider the budgeting process for next year. A great way of ensuring that resources are allocated to access initiatives is to allocate a line in the budget to access. That is, allocate funding for sign language interpreting, audio description or captioning services, installing a ramp or other access renovations. Identifying access as a core part of the planning process is imperative. Budgeting for access can be a first step in reaping the benefits of good practice and audience development. For advice or guidance regarding the costs of access initiatives, please contact Alison McLaren, Audience Development Officer, tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 6) or email amclaren@aarts.net.au.
Bakehouse heats up
Chained For Life (1951) - a feature film about the lives and loves of a pair of Siamese twins, is screening at the launch of Bakehouse, the inclusive arts event set to hit Sydney from Monday 13 October to 17 October 2008. The launch will be held at the main bar of the Annandale Hotel and a selection of short films from the archives of Jay Katz and Miss Death, shocking for their political incorrectness will also screen. “Don’t just stop at the launch, come try your hand at sketching some wonderfully atypical bodies at Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School, or enrol in a stilt walking or break dancing workshop at CarriageWorks. There’s something for everyone” commented Alison Richardson, Artistic Director of the event. Read more …
Michael O’Dea, Jungle Woman, 2008.
Bega mobile arts project models solution to transport issues in regional areas
Regional Focus: Out of the Garage, an outreach program run by the Tulgeen group Art in the Garage, is looking for people with disabilities in the Bega Valley Shire who would like to participate in art making projects in their home environments. This project provides opportunities for people who have health, mobility or behavioral issues that restrict them from studio access. The pilot project commenced in October 2007 and an exhibition of works from all contributing artists to date entitled “OUT” will show from 17 October to 28 October at the Red Café in Bega. Read more…
Listen with new wireless system at Parramatta Riverside Theatres
Parramatta Riverside Theatres have launched a new assistive listening system that will enable the delivery of audio described performances for people who are blind or have low vision. The system can also be used as a personal hearing loop for people who use a hearing aid with a T-Switch. Forty-eight headsets have been sourced from Listen, an international provider of assistive listening technology. The headsets deliver high quality sound wirelessly sent over FM radio waves. Alternative channels enable concurrent use in various theatre spaces. This system will offer improved access to the 700 performances and events that take place every year at Riverside Theatres including theatre, dance, opera and community arts events. For more information about Parramatta Riverside Theatres and their access initiatives tel: 02 8839 3399.
Clare Hooper, Luna Park, 2008
First inclusive arts program at colour and design school
A design school in North Sydney is launching a course in applied colour and design for people with a disability, as the first of a series of inclusive art programs being introduced. The International School of Colour and Design is currently looking for ten students under 25 years (and their carers if required), to attend stage one of the Certificate in Applied Colour and Design commencing Monday 13 October 2008. This pilot course is being offered at a special fee rate. Skills gained from the Certificate will deliver potential career pathways in design. “It is with great pleasure that we are starting our inclusive art programs in our 25th celebration year,” commented Prue Royle, Founding Director of the college. For more information contact ISCD tel: 02 9114 5988.
Breaking Down Barriers: Inclusion In The Performing Arts and Media for Performers With Disabilities
International Focus : The Actors’ Equity Association in the United States will host a forum in association with the Tri-Guild Performers With Disabilities Committee to strengthen awareness and outreach between performers with disabilities and the theatre community in Los Angeles on the 14 October 2008. This symposium aims to 'open the door' in many directions: educating actors about opportunities available in Equity theatres; reaffirming a commitment to non-traditional casting, and educating the theatre industry about the talents and resources within the PWD community. The event forms part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to increase public awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Read more...
Creative Inclusive
Artists’ Talks and Accessible Tours at AART.BOXX 08
AART.BOXX 08 has expanded its public program to include accessible tours of this year’s exhibition. Tours can be tailored to meet the access needs of each group and an opportunity to respond to the exhibition through art making within the gallery space will be available. Artists’ talks are also being presented, providing an opportunity to meet some of the artists exhibiting at this year’s show. Based on the popularity of Artists’ Talks at last year’s AART.BOXX, artists will create discussion about their art making processes. Queensland based artist and creator of Laser Beak Man, Tim Sharp and Sydney based ceramic artist, Honey Crawford are two artists contributing to the event. Read more...
Fridaze: Studio Project Exhibition
Works by nine artists with disabilities who have completed a series of workshops and master classes offered through the Accessible Arts Studio Project will be exhibited at CarriageWorks in conjunction with the Pine Street Creative Arts Centre Outreach Exhibition presented by Bakehouse. Fridaze will be officially opened by Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore at 3.30pm on Tuesday 14 October and will be on show from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily until the 18 October 2008. The Studio Project, now in its second year, is funded by the Sidney Myer Fund and in partnership with Pine Street Creative Arts Centre and the City of Sydney, provides access to a professional visual arts studio space. For more information contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer, tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email: jcavallaro@aarts.net.au.
Profile: Kian Teik Lee, Sydney based artist
Kian Teik Lee is a selected artist at AART.BOXX 08. His work The Rocks mirrors his attraction to the calming qualities of a natural environment. “When I paint the environment I wish I was there. I paint how I want that environment to be,” explains Kian. Using acrylic paint on canvas, Kian’s artistic process involves painting a series of layers of colour and line. Depending on the painting this can take days to complete. This is the first time Kian has been involved in AART.BOXX and he is looking forward to having his work exhibited. He explains, “AART.BOXX is important for new talent and so people like me with a disability can exhibit. I’ve never heard of or seen artists with a disability in big galleries.” Kian’s aspirations however are not disheartened. In the future he has hopes of entering the Archibald Prize.
Illawarra theatre groups collaborate on Shakespeare production
A co-production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy - A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Altogether Drama Company and Wollongong Workshop Theatre will be presented at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 26 October 2008. The Altogether Drama Company is a theatre group that focuses on the integration of people with a disability into mainstream activities. They have been performing at a local and national level for over 14 years. Workshop Theatre is the oldest theatre group in Wollongong and caters for all varieties of theatre from experimental to mainstream. The two groups in partnership are offering a unique performance of this classic play. Cost: $22.50 adult; $15 concession; $10 children. To make a booking contact IPAC Box Office tel: 02 4226 3366. For more information contact Michael Norris tel: 02 4255 8000.
International audiences flock to Awakenings Festival
Regional Focus : The 13th annual Awakenings festival, in the western Victorian centre of Horsham will take place from the 17 to the 26 October 2008. The festival is reaching international audiences with registrations from as far as the United States and New Zealand. Hundreds of performances, workshops and community events will be featured over the ten days including folk band My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Hoola Hoop artist Asphyxia, who is profoundly deaf and the Tutti Ensemble’s cabaret Blind Date, performed by five vision impaired actors. Most events are free. Scott Kenny, international wheelchair dancing champion and regular Awakenings visitor comments, “The Awakenings festival connects people and changes lives… an opportunity to be amazed by performances in theatre, music, dance and song.” For more information contact the festival office on 03 5382 1919.
Other events and opportunities during the month of October
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Accessible Arts Training - TAFE Accredited Disability Awareness & Access Workshop
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MAD Pride Talent Quest – Arts event for people under 30 years who have experienced mental health issues
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Deaf Arts Festival – NSW Association of the Deaf arts festival
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Pine Street Creative Arts Centre – subsidised open access places in a range of courses
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Wilson HTM - National Art Prize
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. 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 available contact details, access details and an image (JPEG or GIF format). Artsevents, opportunities or news that will be of interest to people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers and are accessible will be published. Email contributions to: info@aarts.net.au.