Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

Embodied, dis/assemble dance project, 2010.

Regional dance project embodies success

The dis/assemble dance project in partnership with Murray Arts, SITE Inc and the Regional Academy of Performing Arts, has created a body of contemporary dance works and films by dancers with and without disability. Embodied, builds on the success of dis/assemble’s 2009 season. Participants worked with professional artists and artistic director/choreographer Tim Podesta to create three short films and three live dance works, performed at the Butter Factory Theatre in Wodonga in October 2010. Vivien Naimo from Murray Arts said, “Overall the project has been a resounding success. In 2010 the project moved from being a ‘worthy project’ to being the quality artistic product we have strived for.” New cast members joined the project in 2010, providing new choreographic opportunities and skills. “Technically, all the dancers have improved, both individually and with their partnering skills.  This has also improved the way the group works as an ensemble. Project partners have contributed greatly to the project’s success and everyone involved in the project has felt more confident working within the environment.” Read more...

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, heritage building made
accessible.

Report encourages improving access to heritage buildings

Accessible Arts’ Removing the Obstacles report has been well received by stakeholders, with an interest in providing and improving access for people with disability, to arts venues in heritage listed buildings. Released in December 2010, the report is attracting attention on the Australian Policy Online website as well as from regional museums and arts centres. This research project involved a content analysis of state, national and international legislation, policy and other related resources regarding disability access and heritage.  Accessible Arts has formed a partnership with Accessibility Solutions, a disability access audit consultancy offering broad experience with heritage building projects including the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, Casula Powerhouse Performing Arts and Kogarah School of the Arts. This partnership was developed to encourage venues to obtain access audits and assess current accessibility in view of the new report. Referrals from Accessible Arts will be given discounted rates on access audits and related services.

Online art project accessible to all

A new collaboration between Google and some of the world’s acclaimed art museums is enabling people the opportunity to discover and view more than a thousand artworks online in extraordinary detail. Art Project was launched on 2 February 2011 and uses the same Street View technology used for Google Maps to virtually move around 17 world famous galleries such as MoMA in New York and the Tate Britain in London.  Artworks can be viewed in high resolution with text and You Tube videos about artists and the works also available. A feature to create an artwork collection allows users to save specific views of artworks and build a personalised collection. Nelson Mattos from Google said,  “We're delighted to have been able to collaborate with leading art museums around the world to create this state of the art technology. We hope it will inspire more people, wherever they live, to access and explore art - in new and amazing levels of detail."

Awards raise profile of arts & disability in local communities

Arts & disability projects produced in partnership with local councils are eligible to enter the Local Government Cultural Awards 2011. Entering these awards enables recognition of local art activities. All projects are featured on the LGCA website and all entries are automatically eligible for the Accessible Arts Award. Other categories include the People’s Choice Award and three Cultural Industries Awards. For the fourth year, the Accessible Arts Award plays an important role in highlighting projects that include people with disability. All award entrants are asked to submit information on how people with disability are included in their initiatives. The entrant that best delivers a high level of inclusion receives the Accessible Arts Cultural Award. In 2010, Kogarah Municipal Council in partnership with St George School and artist Sonja Karl received the Accessible Arts Award, for their collaborative project Movement in Space.

Creative Inclusive

Kirrawee Railway Station Mural launch

International Day events receive positive response

Accessible Arts small grant recipients successfully completed their 2010 projects for International Day for people with disability throughout December last year. With over 30 arts events across the state, positive feedback was received, commending these projects as stand out events. Pierre Comarmond’s Kirrawee Mural Launch was a great success with support from the local community, the local state member and Railcorp. Mr Barry Collier MP hosted the launch and officially unveiled the artwork. The local Mayor Phil Blight made a speech and commended Comarmond for his commitment to the arts and for capturing the spirit of the shire within the artwork. Another highlight was a concert produced by Kirsty Fromholtz at Leichardt Town Hall presenting performances from her Accessible Dance classes. This show brought together classes from four different locations, one of those being the Accessible Dance class held at the Wharf in Accessible Arts training room on Saturdays. An ensemble of thirty-two performers showcased their year’s achievements in various styles of dance both choreographed and collaborative. Read more...

Music, Disability and Society by Alex Lubet

Music residency calls for artists with disability

Orange Regional Conservatorium is promoting inclusive performance opportunities by offering a music residency to eight professional musicians who experience disability. Rewriting the Score runs from 16 to 20 April 2011 and an honorarium fee of $1,400, plus travel and accommodation expenses are included. Thirteen musicians with and without disability will work together to create new music that will be performed at a concert in May at the Orange Regional Conservatorium. A recital at the new hospital in Orange will also take place to enhance links between art, creativity, inclusion and wellbeing. The Orange Regional Conservatorium is one of seven organisations to receive Arts NSW funding for arts and disability projects during 2011. With support from Accessible Arts and the Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol services, Western NSW Local Health Network, this project will provide a high profile opportunity within an arts environment for musicians with disability. Read more...

Jody Bromley and Kay Hookey, Weave Arts Centre 2010.

New centre expands access to the arts

Weave, formerly known as South Sydney Youth Services, will open a full time arts centre in Eveleigh, Sydney this month, enabling the organisation to expand existing arts based opportunities to a range of people. The Weave Arts Centre will be located on Wilson Street alongside CarriageWorks and will provide pathways to engage in creative, productive and supportive programs that enhance artistic skills. Established in 1975, Weave has a long history of working in community arts and development and has provided flexible services for people who are marginalised or who experience a range of issues related to mental health, drug and alcohol use, crime, social exclusion, unemployment or domestic violence. A large proportion of participants identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Shane Brown, the Director of Weave said, “For some of the artists that engage with the new arts centre it will be an opportunity to sell their art and be recognised as accomplished artists.” Read more...

Just the Ticket by Peter Quilter

Highlights of 2011 audio described theatre in greater Sydney

Vision Australia is once again collaborating with leading theatre companies in greater Sydney to offer audio described performances throughout 2011. Every show for Ensemble Theatre’s subscription season will have at least two performances audio described. In March, Peter Quilter’s Just the Ticket, a tale of one woman’s global journey in search of love, joy and cocktails, has three audio described sessions. Sydney Theatre Company will present audio described performances in both the Drama Theatre at Sydney Opera House and Sydney Theatre. A period play with a contemporary slant, In the Next Room by Sarah Ruhl, will be audio described in March at the Drama Theatre. Opera Australia is offering one audio described opera performance in February - The Barber of Seville, a farcical comedy of errors and mistaken identities by Rossini, sung in Italian. The Seymour Centre, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta and Penrith’s Q Theatre will also present audio described performances throughout the year. Read more...

Events and Opportunities

• 2011 Another Door Opens Art Award Exhibition - Buckingham House Art Award Exhibition is calling for works from artists with a lived experience of mental health issues.

• Art courses for people with an intellectual disability - Creative courses in art and drawing, music and dance at Macquarie Community College.

• Arts Law in Your Toolkit - A workshop with the Arts Law Centre of Australia covering artists agreements, copyright and issues to consider when working creatively with communities.

• Music and Drama for Youth and Adults with Disability - Performance classes for people aged 15+ with physical or intellectual disability.

• Auslan Tour of Annie Leibovitz: Photographer’s life - MCA is presenting an Auslan interpreted tour of the Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life 1990 – 2005 exhibition.