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.
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.
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Western Sydney growing mecca of arts and disability
Accessible Arts' Western Sydney project is drawing to an end, but the work this project has inspired is by no means over.
Since 2007, the Western Sydney project has been working across eleven local council areas, building partnerships within the arts, with disability organisations and with local councils to ensure sustainable programs and practices.
In the last two years, major arts centres across the region have worked in partnership with Accessible Arts to deliver a variety of programs and access initiatives. These programs were consolidated with the recent month long promotional campaign Plugged In, and their popularity has demonstrated the ongoing need for such programs.
A number of other initiatives will also continue in the region. The development of the Penrith Disability Arts & Culture Network has been an initiative of the Sylvanvale Foundation, Penrith City Council and Accessible Arts. This network will continue to inspire and motivate the arts and disability sector to engage in community capacity building through the development of opportunities for people with disability to participate and experience the arts and cultural life.
An initiative at the Q Theatre in Penrith that responds to a need for practical exchanges between arts workers who work in the disability sector will also continue. The first Exchange It took place as part of the Plugged In program and was devised by Alison Richardson, Creative Programs coordinator, Accessible Arts and Katrina Douglas, Producer, Q Theatre. A resource has been developed from the day outlining ideas exchanged and proven creative processes for working with people with disability in the performing arts sector.
Workshops in the Arts for People with a disability at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta will expand over the next three years, after successfully receiving funding from Arts NSW to employ a part time creative director/coordinator. The WAPD program has been running for over ten years and Alison Richardson will move into this position taking with her four years of experience in developing and managing creative programs for Accessible Arts and with her own organisation sliced bread attraction.
Jennifer Teo, the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator of the Western Sydney project will continue on at Accessible Arts in her role as web coordinator, with plans to improve and expand Accessible Arts online presence and maintain the Western Sydney blog to continue to promote arts and disability in the region.