Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

In Praise of Folly by Athina Vahla, Candoco Dance
Company in the UK.

UK Arts & Disability brings wealth of experience to NSW

A recent trip abroad provided Sancha Donald, CEO of Accessible Arts, the opportunity to experience the arts and disability sector in the United Kingdom. Sancha visited a diverse group of professional and community organisations, all providing access to the arts through inclusive and well-established practices. The weeklong exchange included traveling to twelve regional and metropolitan organisations. Visiting accessible facilities, inclusive programs and companies, provided new resources and information that will be useful for the development of future projects at Accessible Arts. An opportunity to profile models of practice used by arts and disability organisations in NSW was also exchanged. The experience has offered Sancha insight into the scope of programs for people with disabilities in the UK. Read more...

Louise Bufardeci, Team Joy (detail), 2004. Photo
courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery.

Collaborative approach broadens access to museums and galleries

A collaborative approach towards providing audio description and tactile experiences, which respond to contemporary visual arts environments, is broadening the scope of access to galleries and museums in Sydney. A recent forum hosted by Vision Australia engaged representatives from Media Access Australia, Blind Citizens Australia, Accessible Arts and key arts organisations. The variety of emerging audio description and tactile opportunities available for new and diverse audiences who are blind or have low vision were discussed. The Museum of Contemporary Art is exploring a conversational approach to the delivery of audio description. This adds to a number of access initiatives at the MCA in August. MCA educators will undertake Disability Awareness & Access Training including a customised session facilitated by Accessible Arts. An Auslan interpreted access tour of the Louisa Bufardeci & Zon Ito exhibition for the Deaf community will also be presented. Read more...

Nature Nature, Arts Activated Conference 2007.

Invitation to Present at Arts Activated Conference closes end of August

Accessible Arts is inviting submissions for proposals to present at the Arts Activated Conference, 25 & 26 March 2010, at the Powerhouse Museum Sydney. The conference aims to be interactive and will include creative presentations that incorporate participatory elements. All proposals are to address the theme ‘Arts - Access - Excellence' and demonstrate innovation, process and practice. Presentation styles will include lectures, workshops and panels. Download an ‘Invitation to Present' application form to submit by the 31 August 2009. People with disability are encouraged to submit an application to present. In 2007, presenting at the Arts Activated Conference increased the profile and promoted the work of a variety of practitioners and performers in the arts and disability sectors. For further information contact Jane Pollard, Training Manager tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 106) or jpollard@aarts.net.au.

Theatre Practitioner Matt Stewart interacts for Accessible Arts

Matt Stewart, co-founder of Darlinghurst Theatre, is working for Accessible Arts, one day a week in Western Sydney. Based at Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Matt will coordinate the inter/Act Workshop program and engage major arts centres across Western Sydney such as Blacktown Arts Centre and Parramatta Riverside Theatres. His role will further develop performing arts opportunities for school aged youth with disability in Western Sydney. Matt said, "I am a great believer in using the performing arts to help enhance the lives of those who are disenfranchised or separated in some way from the greater community. The arts can give a person a stronger sense of self and of their part in the community. Most importantly it gives license to have fun. If these things aren't important to the growth and well being of young people, I'll eat my hat." Read more...

Performance work at Sizzle will be presented in the
garden designed by artists Margo and Gerald Lewers
at Penrith Regional Gallery.

Penrith Regional Gallery engages disability community to present arts festival

Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest are presenting Sizzle - an inclusive arts festival, to celebrate International Day for People with Disability from 1 December to 6 December 2009. The festival will include a program of art, performance, film, an audio described tour and a professional development event for carers. The Gallery is calling for artworks, performances and short films to be included in the event and is also inviting people with disability and service providers to be on an advisory committee for the festival. Naomi McCarthy acting Gallery Manager explains, "The Gallery's art studios and Heritage Garden will be a hub of activity showcasing the creative achievements of people with disability. The Gallery has historically been a very accessible site for visitors with disability and this festival will celebrate creative work being produced in the community." For more information and to register interest contact Naomi McCarthy, tel: 02 4735 1100 or nmccarthy@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

Creative Inclusive

Headcase, Art Day South Project, Video Still.

Artists selected for AART.BOXX 09

Accessible Arts received over 85 applications for AART.BOXX 09, an exhibition of national significance that provides a creative platform for emerging artists with disability.
Twenty-four artists will show works at the exhibition this year, to be held at Mori Gallery in Sydney from 30 October to 7 November 2009. The selection process was undertaken over two days, with more than 250 works to select from. Artists, disability arts workers and curators from the AART.BOXX committee undertook the selection process. As a collective, the selectors stated it was a privilege to view such quality works and in most cases be introduced to new practices from around the country. AART.BOXX, now in its fourth year, addresses an identified gap in artistic and professional development opportunities for emerging artists with disability. View the selected artists.

Tracie Sammut assisting on the set of Be My Brother.
Photo by Alison Richardson.

Accessible filmmaking on the rise

An increase in people with disability learning film making skills continues, following the recent success of short film Be My Brother at Tropfest 2009. Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, Accessible Arts Western Sydney, has been providing support to mentor and connect people with disability as they pursue opportunities to learn the art of filmmaking. Genevieve Clay's latest short film, Francis and Annie, recently presented an opportunity for people with disability to work with the Director and learn new skills. Six participants enjoyed a half-day of being on set and experiencing first hand filmmaking. Kino Kabaret, a short film making workshop, attracted the participation of several people who identify as having a disability. Kino was held in partnership with MetroScreen in Paddington. Participants teamed-up to write, shoot and edit short films. Read more...

Home is where the heART is, Sydney Street Choir

Performance in Sydney offers theatre of difference

A diversity of inclusive theatre takes place during August at accessible venues in Sydney. The final performance of Home is where the heART is, performed by Sydney Street Choir, is showing at Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills. This theatrical and choral production is based on the Greek myth Orpheus. How to Handle a Fractured Heart, a new theatre work by Ever After Theatre Company, Sydney's longest running ensemble of people living with disabilities, is being presented at PACT Theatre, Erskineville. CarriageWorks in Eveleigh is presenting Azazel's Feast, a pre-recorded performance presented like a radio play in a decaphonic surround theatre. "Azazel's Feast is particularly suited to people with low vision, as the audience relies entirely on their aural senses to guide them through the scenes" commented the Producer, Terry Palarek. Read more...

Sensorial Exhibition, Katoomba Fine Art Gallery,
IDPWD 08. Photo by Jennifer Teo.

Small Grants applications closing for Don't DIS my ABILITY projects and events

Applications close on the 17 August for Accessible Arts Small Grants of up to $1,000. Organisations and arts workers planning high quality arts events as part of the 2009 Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign are eligible to apply. Register your event with the Department of Ageing Disability & Home Care's campaign now to be part of the statewide promotion. Accessible Arts will offer grants to a small number of high quality, sustainable projects that involve partnerships between the professional arts and disability sectors, plus support to organisers of arts events who need guidance or advice. Download the application form and guidelines for planning an event or call Becky Chapman, Arts Development Officer, tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 105) or bchampan@aarts.net.au.

Profile: Jess Irwin

Jess Irwin discovered a passion for photography six years ago. In 2007, she received a Canon Sponsorship Award through Ken Duncan, and now works for the renowned landscape photographer three days a week. Jess also happens to have Cerebral Palsy, is a wheelchair user and uses a communication aid that converts text to speech. Funding and assistance from the Spastic Centre's Sydney Employment Development Service and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, has enabled Jess to sustain her job at Duncan's photographic lab. Living on the Central Coast of NSW, Jess commutes to Sydney in her own van with the help of a carer. "I love my job, not only has it taught me the skills of being a good employee, it has introduced me to wonderful work colleges and now friends," explains Jess. When not at work, Jess runs her own business, DARE2BU, which is a vehicle to sell her own photography and offer design services.

RhythMix percussion performance group, Karelle Life
Enrichment Service.

Karelle enriches life through the arts

Karelle Life Enrichment Service, based at St Marys, is commencing two arts courses for people with intellectual disabilities. RhythMix, a music program and percussion performance group offers people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to learn and perform percussion music. A new course in Photography will give participants the opportunity to learn photographic skills and exhibit their work as part of Life Journeys in Picture, a show planned for International Day of People with a disability in December. With cameras provided, "the course will enable participants to create a photographic record of the important things and people in their lives, as well as depict images that express who they are. The exhibition on 4 December will allow the artists to share with the community the very essence of who they are." said Trish Martin, Executive Office at Karelle. Read more...

Other Events and Opportunities

• Spark Festival - A creative arts festival for people with disability produced by The Junction Works Inc.
• Local Narratives: A Port Macquarie Hastings Regional Gallery Curatorial Project - A diverse group of emerging and professional artists and craft-artists from the regional area, exploring the theme of local stories through art practice.
• Artist Call Out : Inside Out Gallery - for artists who have experience with mental health issues to exhibit their work in the annual Mental Health Week Exhibition.
• Integrated Dance with Margot Politis - An artistic and expressive dance workshop for people with and without disabilities aged 18 - 30 years old.
• Regional Arts NSW Regional Arts Fund - Grants supporting arts and cultural activities in regional NSW close 14 August 2009.

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 description (100 words), plus all available contact details, access details and an image (JPEG or GIF format). Arts events, opportunities or news that will be of interest to people with disability, their families, friends and carers and are accessible will be published. Email contributions to info@aarts.net.au.