Representation of artistic ability on the rise
The Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign continues to attract an increasing number of arts events, including participation from artists with disability as ambassadors, key speakers and entertainers at major functions.
In 2009, nearly 85 per cent of events registered were arts related and included the visual arts, film, dance, sound and performance, bringing together arts and disability organisations to work towards an event, project or policy inclusive of people with disability.
Jared Younger and Helen Newman, Launch
of New Beginnings, Film Mentorship,
Accessible Arts Small Grants 09.
Stephanie Timmins, Don’t DIS my ABILITY Project Manager, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care said, "We were happy to see that 83 per cent of events registered as part of the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign had an arts related component, an increase of 20 per cent from 2008. We hope to have even more next year."
Accessible Arts have supported the growth of these events in a number of ways since 2002, including small grants, the promotion and documentation of events online, project development support and participation and attendance at exhibition openings, performances and events.
This year the team at Accessible Arts attended over twenty events across NSW, from Albury in the south of the state to Alstonville on the far north coast and everywhere in between, including Woollongong, Katoomba, Fairfield, Redfern and Sydney CBD. Images are available on the Don’t DIS my ABILITY facebook page.
Accessible Arts was not alone in their travels. A group of people from Lavender Cottage at North West Disability Services in Baulkham Hills visited the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, to attend the inclusive arts festival Sizzle.
Frances Farrugia, Coordinator of Lavender Cottage, North West Disability Services said, “Although we had not previously been to the Penrith Regional Gallery, we had two of our artists participate in the Sizzle exhibition and a small group also went to the tactile tour. We have had very positive outcomes from this experience and intend keeping in touch with the Gallery.”
Don’t DIS my ABILITY is the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care’s yearly campaign celebrating International Day of People with Disability.
(Left) Sensorial Exhibition, Katoomba Fine Art Gallery
(Right) Morganics beatboxing with the audience at Fairfield Museum & Gallery
(Left) WAPD End of Year Concert, Parramatta Riverside Theatres
(Right) First Flight Crew performing at Disability Services Australia Celebration