Accessible Arts' Western Sydney project is drawing to an end, but the work this project has inspired is by no means over.
Approximately 250 people attended the Plugged In Launch Party at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta on the 5 October 2010, demonstrating the enthusiasm of a number of disability services that would like to engage more with the arts as part of their programs.
Plugged In, a month of inclusive arts events throughout October 2010, will celebrate some of the achievements realized through Accessible Arts’ Western Sydney project, increasing cultural activities, access and opportunities for people with disability in the Western Sydney region.
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Art centres exchange skills to increase access for people with disability
Accessible Arts held a skills exchange day for Western Sydney arts centres on 27 May 2010, in response to the need to develop audiences that include people with disability at museums and galleries.
Major arts venues from across metropolitan Sydney came together for the exchange at Blacktown Arts Centre, to focus on education and information about the development and delivery of tactile and audio-described tours.
"The S-X Day was devised partially in response to recommendations from the National Arts and Disability Strategy, to increase quality arts and cultural experiences in museums and galleries for people with disability," said Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Western Sydney, Accessible Arts. "It provided an opportunity for curators, producers, education and public programs staff to discuss issues and exchange ideas on tactile and audio-described tours within various arts contexts."
Guest speaker Coral Arnold spoke about her experience of attending various tactile tours and audio-described events as a person with low vision. As a regular gallery visitor and cinema enthusiast, Coral expressed the value of accessing mainstream cultural events. "The majority of us want to see what you're seeing or what your mother or your father is seeing," she explained.
Other presentations included Art Gallery of NSW, MCA, and Penrith Regional Gallery & the Lewers Bequest. An audio described tour of the Prospect Hill exhibition by Kenzee Patterson at Blacktown Arts Centre was conducted by Naomi McCarthy, Manager Education and Public Programs, Penrith Regional Gallery & the Lewers Bequest. The audience was blindfolded during the tour to simulate the experience of someone who is blind or has low vision.
"Naomi McCarthy's demonstration of how to approach audio description and incorporate tactile experiences will enhance our own programs," says Lysele Assarapin, Education and Volunteers Coordinator, Powerhouse Discovery Centre. "It was also very valuable to hear Coral Arnold present her personal experience offering direct understanding of access for people who are blind or have low vision."
The Art Gallery of NSW and MCA provided draft guidelines to share with the S-X group to assist with the development of resources to support public programs that include audio description and tactile experiences.
Establishing a professional network of arts organisations to develop standards and support the ongoing advancement of programs that include people with disability at galleries and museums is currently being supported by Accessible Arts.