Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

Digital story campaign gives everyone a voice in the arts

Digby Webster, First Flight Crew performer, AART.BOXX 09 artist and Australia Council for the Arts office worker, is one of twelve Australians featured on the What makes me digital online campaign, recently launched by the Australia Council for the Arts. Digby’s story about how the arts makes a difference to him, is one of 12 profiles that forms the platform of the new project, inviting all Australians to share their stories about what the arts add to their everyday lives. “What makes me communicates the message that art is all around us and comes in many forms whether it is school bands, amateur comedy and circus, or classical music and oil painting, ” said Sandra Bender, Executive Director of Arts Development at the Australia Council. To tell your story, or the story of your disability service or community arts project, go to the What makes me website and create your own art cube to contribute to Australia’s largest collaborative digital story. Read more: Digital story campaign invites people with disability to have a voice in the arts.

Toy Death to play at Plugged In launch. Photo by Daniel Boud.

Western Sydney plugged into arts and disability

Plugged In, a month of inclusive arts events throughout October 2010, will celebrate some of the achievements realised through Accessible Arts’ Western Sydney project, increasing cultural activities, access and opportunities for people with disability in the Western Sydney region. The Western Sydney Project has been operating for the last four years. Based in Blacktown, Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, and Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, have developed, presented and supported a range of initiatives in the region to increase access to the arts. “Ongoing programs now exist across a range of art forms, providing opportunities for people with disability to participate at major art centres," says Alison Richardson. "Plugged In is a month long invitation to get involved and connect.” Plugged In will highlight these ongoing opportunities and a Launch Party at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, with free entertainment and BBQ lunch, will mark the beginning of the month long program of events. Read more: Western Sydney plugged in to arts & disability.

Daniel Harrowell, guest speaker at DA&A training session,
Powerhouse Discovery Centre

Training bridges the gap between the arts and disability

Daniel Harrowell, an 18-year-old student from Newport, recently presented his experience of participation in the arts to staff at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Castle Hill, as part of Accessible Arts Disability Awareness and Access training. “When I go to places I like to be able to understand things – like where to buy the ticket and where to go.  I like people to be patient with me and expect me to be able to do things.” The Powerhouse Discovery Centre, a world-standard museum storage centre, prides itself on being publicly accessible to diverse audiences. Access programs include monthly open days and themed supervised tours of the Museum’s unique and diverse collection of 50,000 objects. Disability Awareness and Access training has provided 24 volunteer and four paid staff members with a general understanding of disability and access. Community engagement strategies are now being researched including audio description tours, sensory tours and easy English tours, to enhance participation. Read more: Training bridges the gap between the arts and disability.

Dennis McGrady, Philip Pidgeon and Bronwen Jones at (En)able
Arts Forum 2010.

Forum launches Arts North West (En)Able Arts Project

In an effort to address the region’s arts and disability needs, Arts North West hosted the New England North West Regional (En)Able Arts Forum in Armidale in July. The Forum was the first step in a project which will develop a dedicated arts and disability network that can be managed through a regional hub, creating a sustainable and supportive platform for arts and disability in the New England North West. The Forum identified the need for a dedicated art centre that is accessible for artists with disabilities and coordinated by dedicated project workers. It discussed the need for training programs and professional development opportunities for artists with disabilities and the possibility of establishing a central hub that could take outreach programs to the rest of the region. Arts North West will establish an email network to facilitate the communication of ideas, issues, contacts, opportunities and workshops as the project progresses. Sourced from Regional Arts NSW Bulletin September 2010.

Crossfire 2: print & glass on display at Wagga Wagga Art
Gallery

Regional training inspires access projects

In 2009, the Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga engaged Accessible Arts to deliver onsite Disability Awareness and Access training. A range of staff and volunteers from the art gallery, the museum, the civic theatre, the library and parks and recreation attended. Since that time a number of outcomes have resulted as well as a general increase in disability awareness. Madeleine Scully, Manager of the Museum of the Riverina explains, “This training was incredibly valuable and focused on the people, not the disability. A couple of projects were triggered as a consequence. These include participation in a region wide disability assessment project called Access Aware and developing education resources for children’s programming that work well for families with children who have Asperger’s syndrome and sensory disabilities. We have also increased the font size and simplified our graphic design style guide on all labeling to assist with legibility and readability of all our interpretative material both on the wall and on screens in our exhibition spaces, to assist visitors who may have low vision.” Read more: Training bridges the gap between the arts and disability.

Creative Inclusive

Pierre Comarmond, artist talk, AART.BOXX 09.

Accessible Arts Small Grant recipients announced

Accessible Arts would like to congratulate the six successful recipients from across NSW for their innovative Don’t DISmyABILITY arts projects. Over the month of November, NSW celebrates International Day of People with disability through the Don’t DISmyABILITY campaign. This year with the support of Accessible Arts Small Grants, independent artist Pierre Comarmond from Kirawee will develop the second stage of his ‘Kirawee Mural Project’. The mural will be installed at the entrance of Kirawee Station. Emerging writer and performance artist Georgia Rose Cranko also received a grant under the individual artist category. Georgia’s project ‘Living within Context’ will be created in collaboration with her mentors combining poetry, performance and movement. “This year was extremely competitive and difficult to finalize,” Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Arts Development Officer at Accessible Arts explained.  “Several elements that stood out in these six recipients were; the ability to articulate a project plan, demonstration of project development and progression, artistic integrity and originality, and accessing creative partnerships with the community and or professional collaborators.” Read more: For the full list of recipients.

Joshua Ferenbach & Joshua Ryan, rehearsal for Permanence
by Samara Hersch (JUMP mentoree) and Gabby Rose.

Support available for artists with disability to apply for mentorship opportunity

Accessible Arts is working with JUMP to ensure greater access for young and emerging NSW based artists with disability to participate in JUMP’s annual national artist mentoring program. JUMP identifies and promotes excellence in artistic practice amongst artists aged 18 to 30 years, who are in the first five years of their professional practice. Emerging theatre writer and director, Samara Hersch is a current JUMP mentoree. This opportunity has led her to gain invaluable experience working with performers with a disability through her mentor, Bruce Gladwin, Artistic Director of Back to Back Theatre. “Whether artists are working side by side with their mentors in the studio, or sharing feedback internationally via skype, geography is no boundary. We invite metro and regionally based artists alike to identify their ideal mentor and apply for JUMP,” said Julie Woodward, CEO of Youth Arts Queensland. NSW based young and emerging artists with disability wishing to discuss a mentorship idea, can contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development on 02 9251 6499 ext 105 or jcavallaro@aarts.net.au. Read more: People with disability supported to apply for mentorship opportunity.

Dance class presented by Dean Watson at Dorothy Porter Studio.
Image courtesy of Bundanon Trust.

Artist in Residence at Bundanon brings inclusive dance to the region

Dean Watson, Sydney based choreographer, flamenco dancer and movement facilitator, spent a week in residence at Bundanon in July 2010, developing his inclusive dance practice through exploring new concepts with film, music and stillness in movement. The residency also involved presenting a series of dance classes at the Dorothy Porter Studio at Bundanon. A range of people with disability from the Shoalhaven region attended the classes, offering an opportunity for involvement in a dance experience not usually available in the area. “The studio and environment at Bundanon was totally conducive and helped in everyway. Exploring creative movement with a range of people, some experiencing dance for the first time, was extremely valuable.” Dean said. “The arts community, staff and resources at the residency added greatly to my research and the experience.” Dean has a background in working with people with disability through a number of long term projects including Unlock Your Creativity with the Spastic Centre and Flamenco @ an innovative project in movement for people with intellectual disabilities. Read more: Artist in Residence at Bundanon brings inclusive dance to the region.

Committee member Jennifer Stockins (right) with artist
Danny Moore, AART.BOXX, Mori Gallery 2009.

Committee await applications for AART.BOXX 2011

Nine individuals from a competitive pool of 33 applications have been selected to form the committee for AART.BOXX 2011, Accessible Arts’ bi-annual national survey exhibition. Generating ideas and discussions that propel the committee, will commence in mid September 2010. The committee comprises of arts and disability workers, artists, designers, writers and a curator. AART.BOXX facilitator Josie Cavallaro said, “I am quite excited about the breadth of artistic and life experience that this newly formed committee will bring to the project.” Committee members include Diana Robson, curator of the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. As an experienced curator, Robson was drawn by the diversity of creative and artistic expression that AART.BOXX fosters as being key to creating significant and engaging curatorial projects. In the following months, committee members will be preparing for the selection of artists for the exhibition. Applications are now open to Australian contemporary artists with a disability and will close on 8 October 2010. Read more: Committee await applications for AART.BOXX 2011.

Double Pass giveaway to close tour of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg

Accessible Arts has a double pass to giveaway to A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, when it runs in Sydney at the Seymour Centre, from 21 to 30 October 2010. The classic British play, recently toured regional NSW to critical acclaim and good houses. Accessible Arts partnered with Critical Stages in supporting regional venues staging the play to provide information for improved access for audience members with disability. Luke Cowling, producer with Critical Stages, said that while regional audiences may have initially been reticent about the subject matter of the play, once they saw it they loved it and strong word of mouth encouraged greater audiences. “It’s also been good to work with the venues and Accessible Arts to increase accessibility for audiences,” says Luke, “and the uptake of the Access Pack has been good in NSW and interstate too”. To win the double pass email marketing@aarts.net.au and describe in 25 words or less what interests you about the theme of this play. For more information and bookings call the box office on (02) 9351 7940 or visit www.seymourcentre.com. Read more: Critical Stages: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Tour.

Events and Opportunities

• TAFE NSW accredited Disability Awareness and Access Training – Four-hour training session designed to increase understanding of disability and access issues presented by Accessible Arts.

• Blind, As You See It – a performance exploring the memories of a 25 year old woman as she loses her vision. Presented as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival.

• The Lucias Annual Short Film Festival – national short film festival designed to bring together school-aged children of all abilities and harness their creativity through the language of film.

• Carnivale ARTES 2010 – Studio ARTES celebrates the return of their annual exhibition featuring fresh visual artwork from all of their members.

• Hands on Marketing Skills for Arts People – Presented at TAFE Bathurst Campus, participants will learn how to research opportunities to market and create viable financial opportunities.

• Small Grants for rural communities – Grants program for small rural Australian communities with a population of 10,000 or less.

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. 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.

Next newsletter deadline: 12 October 2010