Guest facilitator Cheryle Yin-Lo (Cultural Connexions).

Jenny Bisset

Claudia Chidiac

Louise McCormack

This opportunity to voice the needs, issues and experiences facing people with a disability when accessing the arts is an important way to contribute to this strategy. Find out how to make a difference. The deadline for submitting feedback to FaHCSIA on the development of a National Disability Strategy is Monday 1 December 2008. Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes has welcomed the commencement of work on the strategy. He said “For too long, meeting the needs of Australians with a disability has been done on an ad hoc and charitable basis - the Government’s new National Disability Strategy will change this.” The Commissioner urged all Australians with a disability to “grasp this opportunity to plan our move toward full citizenship.” Read more…

Download the National Arts and Disability Strategy Discussion Paper.

Performance Workshop with Katy Green

Tutor profile: Katy Green

Katy is a Sydney-based movement/theatre artist who is committed to devising social and conceptual process-based performance. In 2006, Katy completed a Bachelor of Performance, Theory and Practice (Honours) at UWS, for which she was awarded Honours Class 1. During her Honours year, Katy devised dancing withŠ and later in 2007 further developed the piece for the Quarterbred Festival at PACT Youth Theatre with her newly formed performance collective, stagejuice. Most recently with stagejuice, Katy co-directed ball, a short movement and sound work, at NightTime #6 at Performance Space. Katy also works extensively with version 1.0. She completed a Research and Development Residency at Performance Space with version 1.0 for Hurt and Damage in 2008, stage managed Deeply Offensive and Utterly Untrue at Performance Space in 2007 and performed in Wages of Spin, which toured nationally with Performing Lines in 2006 and was produced independently in both Sydney and Canberra in 2005. Katy has trained in Suzuki, Viewpoints, movement improvisation and Feldenkrais and she has been instructed by Martin del Amo, Shane Jones from Zen Zen Zo, Lee Wilson, Margi Kaye and Deborah Pollard. She also teaches creative movement workshops to primary school students through the Active After-School Program. Presently, Katy is co-directing another stagejuice project, in the shadows, which will debut early in 2009.

Katy Green

Accessible Arts presents an arts & disability forum in Western Sydney. Come hear a morning of dynamic presentations and engage in a lively panel discussion with key members from the Western Sydney arts, disability & local council sectors. A fantastic cross-sector learning experience, the forum will be of interest to artists, arts workers, disability service providers, arts organisations, and local councils interested in accessible and inclusive arts programs and practices.

Speakers include Louise McCormack (The Spastic Centre), Kate Baker (Australia Council for the Arts), Jenny Bisset (Manager of Arts & Cultural Development, Blacktown City Council), Naomi McCarthy (Penrith Regional Gallery), Claudia Chidiac (Powerhouse Youth Theatre), and Steve Lee (Bankstown Day Options). Guest facilitator Cheryle Yin-Lo (Cultural Connexions).

WHERE: Raffterty’s Theatre, Parramatta Riverside Theatre,
Corner Church & Market Streets, Parramatta.

WHEN: Wednesday 15th October

TIME: 9:30am – 1:30pm

COST: FREE. Lunch Provided.

ACCESS INFO:
Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Visit www.riversideparramatta.com.au for information on how to get Parramatta Riverside.

CONTACT: Bookings are essential. RSVP by 7 October to Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Co-ordinator, tel: 9251 6499 (ext 7) Tues/Wed or email jteo@aarts.net.au.

POW WOW is taking place as part of Bakehouse 13 - 17 October, an inclusive arts festival presented by sliced bread attraction. Full festival program available at www.slicedbreadattraction.org.au/bakehouse.

Tutor profile: Mark Shepherd

Mark worked as as a carer and community educator with The Spastic Centre St Ives for several years.  During his time there he conducted an extensive music program geared towards creating music with people with disabilities.  He uses digital technology, that is, sound beams, a Banana keyboard and music software to make access to the music as inclusive and participatory as possible. He also uses many percussive instruments to involved the classes in soundscape and music creation.  He is currently freelancing as a music facilitator for people with a disability with Sunnyfield disability service and various organisations across Sydney.

Applications for 2008/09 opened on Monday 11th of August and close 22nd September.

For further enquiries please call Ryan Graham on 4732 7794 or email magneticplaces@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

To register your event go to www.internationaldayofpeoplewithadisability.com.au

Image: Cast members from Starman, Voxpop Music Theatre Group, IDPWD Small Arts Grant recipients 07

For more information visit the Accessible Arts website.