Accessible Arts is conducting a survey for the Deaf Community in NSW to find out what the Arts mean to people who are deaf and to learn about their experience of artistic opportunities as artists, audience members or participants.
Carla Wherby, Auburn based visual artist and recipient of Accessible Arts’ AART.BOXX scholarship, travelled with her sisters Paula and Lisa to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra last month to study war objects, memorabilia and ephemera.
Sydney’s newest entertainment destination, The Concourse in Chatswood, will host Accessible Arts’ third Arts Activated National Conference in October 2012. This new cultural hub, many years in the planning and with considerable consultation with the disability sector and with Accessible Arts, is a leading example of accessibility within a world-class Arts centre.
Students from Halinda School travelled from Whalan in Western Sydney to participate in the Tactile Tours - Access program at this year’s Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. Visiting the exhibition for the first time, Assistant Principal Anne Bennett is enthusiatisic about attending the exhibtion as a regular event on the Halinda school calendar.
Accessible Arts and Museums & Galleries NSW (M&G NSW) will present a one day seminar on 28 November 2011 to promote improved access to heritage listed buildings for audiences, staff and arts professionals with disabilities.News
Networks foster arts & disability across the state
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.
The forum provided an opportunity for the Regional Arts network to showcase arts and disability projects, as well as create dialogue with Accessible Arts about the proposed Rural and Regional Engagement Strategy, ensuring it is relevant and effective for local regional communities and networks.
“Together, I am confident we are moving arts and disability forward in the regions. Regional Arts NSW and its network are collectively strong advocates for inclusive practices,” said Sancha Donald, CEO Accessible Arts.
Key findings from Accessible Arts ‘Speak Up’ consultations conducted throughout the regions in 2009 have contributed to the strategy, which has four focus areas: capacity building, recognition and communication, access and participation and sector connection.
Regional Arts Development Officers from Murray Arts, South West Arts, Arts Out West, Arts Northern Rivers, Outback Arts and Arts North West attended the forum along with the Regional Arts NSW CEO Elizabeth Rogers.
Tony Duke, CEO and RADO at Arts Northern Rivers presented information about the NTV Bandwagon project in Lismore and the Northern Rivers Arts and Creative Industries Strategy.
“Promoting inclusive practices to the Northern Rivers Creative Industries Consortium will have a widespread reach. Consortium members include Screenworks, Northern Rivers Writers Centre, NORPA, NCEIA and the Regional Gallery network, TAFE, Southern Cross University, Northern Rivers Conservatorium, Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers and Northern Rivers Tourism,” he said.
Jane Kreis, RADO and Executive Officer at Arts North West presented information about the recent (En)Able Arts and Disability forum facilitated in the area. Networks developed at the forum will work towards creating a dedicated venue to support a number of professional and community arts and disability pathways.
Alyce Fisher, RADO and Executive Officer from South West Arts outlined plans for a supported studio for artists with disabilities in the South West and Tracey Callinan, Executive Officer, Arts Out West presented a number of programs centred in arts and health initiatives.
Vivien Naimo, Office/Finance Manager from Murray Arts highlighted well developed creative projects such as the 2009 Don't DIS my ABILITY Film Mentorship with Jared Younger and the dis/assemble dance project.
Accessible Arts will continue to work with Regional Arts NSW to support and promote arts and disability initiatives and progress the engagement strategy to strengthen arts and disability in regional NSW.
The Regional Arts NSW website offers detailed information about the Regional Arts NSW Network.