Creative Programs « There's something happening across Western Sydney

Creative Programs

	First Flight Crew In late 2008 Alison Richardson, Accessible Arts’ Creative Programs Coordinator, assisted Victorian based music organisation Club Wild to organise a series of workshops for people with a disability in song creation with hip hop artist Morganics. The hip hop group have now had four gigs where they have wowed the crowds with their beatboxing, dancing, energy and style. Events include the Beach Road Hotel, Bondi; Bring It On! youth festival, Fairfield and The Burbs youth festival, Blacktown. Going by the name First Flight Crew, they are now a tight knit group of seven. They are continuing to work with Morganics to produce wicked routines. Their leadership shows that anything is possible.
	Open Program The Open Program is a skills development workshop series that will aim to operate out of all major arts centres across Western Sydney. The Open Program currently exists at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery and the Q Theatre at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.
	InterACT InterACT, an integrated school holiday workshop program, is an initiative of Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) in Fairfield. Accessible Arts has supported this initiative by employing workshop coordinator, Matt Stewart to work one day a week from PYT to establish relationships with special schools and support units across Bankstown, Liverpool and Fairfield. There are two aspects to interACT. Firstly, schools can nominate to have a performance workshop such as Acting For Camera or Break Dancing to take place within their school with students with and without a disability. And secondly students can enrol themselves in school holiday workshops that will take place within arts centres across Western Sydney, namely, Blacktown Arts Centre, Parramatta Riverside, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. If your school is interested in having a workshop or you want to enrol in a school holiday workshop or for further information contact Matt at PYT on matt@pyt.com.au.
	Outreach Workshops Outreach Workshops were delivered to various schools and disability services in Western Sydney including workshops in music making & the Special Access Kit with tutor Mark Shepard.
	Apprenticeship Training Program The Apprenticeship Training Program is a unique partnership between Accessible Arts & Julius Media, a college specialising in Entertainment Technical Training, and is the only one of its kind in Australia. Ten participants who identified as having a disability will undergo a 30 week training course at Parramatta Riverside Theatre on how to operate lighting & sound equipment for theatre and events. Upon completion of the course participants will receive a Certificate II in Live Production, Theatre and Events. The long term aim of the program is for graduates to gain further work experience, as well as employment opportunities by being introduced to key Western Sydney Arts organisations and councils.
	Mixed Abilities Ensemble Accessible Arts has partnered up with Powerhouse Youth Theatre in Fairfield to develop a Mixed Abilities Ensemble (MAE) training program. This program grew out of the need for more skills development opportunities in the performing arts for people with a disability and will provide an integrated, supportive and professional environment – the first of its kind! Participants worked with highly experienced tutors, Angela Hill, Aimee Falzon and Claudia Chidiac to develop skills in movement, voice, performance and theatre making. Held over the course of 15 weeks at the Cabravale Leisure Centre, Cabramatta, the programs was available to people with and without a disability.
	POW WOW - Inclusive creative program know-how An Arts & Disability Forum in Western Sydney focusing on accessible and inclusive arts programs and practices. Presentations and panel discussion. Facilitator Cheryle Yin-Lo (Cultural Connexions). Guest speakers 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 & The Lewers Bequest), Claudia Chidiac (Powerhouse Youth Theatre) and Steve Lee (Bankstown Day Options).

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