On Wednesday 21 July 2010, Accessible Arts hosted a forum to consult with Regional Arts NSW and its network of Regional Arts Development Boards, to propose a strategy for rural and regional engagement with arts and disability.
Kogarah Municipal Council in partnership with St George School and artist Sonja Karl has been awarded the Accessible Arts Award as part of the 2010 Local Government Cultural Awards, for their collaborative project Movement in Space.
The annual NSW Local Government Cultural Awards are calling for entries. In 2010 the awards will focus on improving recognition for the importance and distinction of cultural achievements across the state. Entries close 26 February 2010.
Getting a job in the arts has always been highly competitive, but pathways do exist for people with disability and the key is participating in arts projects as often as possible, to gain skills and experience that match the needs of arts organisations.
Accessible Arts received a Highly Commended certificate in the 2009 Australian Human Rights Awards, recognising its work promoting the cultural rights of people with disability.News
Matt Laffan 1970 - 2009
Those not acquainted with Matt Laffan may have read of his death recently and it is sad indeed. Matt provided comment on a number of Accessible Arts' projects.
His death is all the more sad because his talents, of which he had many, were allowed to fully develop. However, the focus on ability can sometimes cause us to forget that people with disability often have fragile health. Matt's death is a reminder that strong and effective inclusive practices need to be implemented across the arts sector to enable people with disability to realise their right to live as full a (cultural) life for as long as possible.
A memorial scholarship has been created by Matt Lavan's university peers and has currently accumulated $60,000 in pledges. This perpetual scholarship will enable university students with severe physical disability who possess strength of character, drive and leadership to be finanically supported through their degree.
View the 'Australian Story' episode "The Laffan Legacy".