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Newsletter :: May 2008
Image: Mixed Abilities Ensemble,
Powerhouse Youth Theatre. Welcome to the Accessible Arts May 2008 Newsletter. This month we highlight major arts festivals and performances that are particularly accessible due to price, content or access initiatives. We also welcome the Minister for Ageing and Disability Services' announcement about a Companion Card for NSW and we continue to feature opportunties and events offered by our organisation.
Accessible Arts News
Image: "In My House of Wooden Straw" by
Julian Fleckner, AART.BOXX 07
AART.BOXX 2008 - CALL OUT
AART.BOXX showcases the works of young and emerging Australian artists aged 30 and under who have a disability. Now in its third year, AART.BOXX aims to extend and challenge the current discourses within contemporary art by highlighting art practices that are informed by cultures of disability. We are looking nationwide for recent works created after January 2007 in any art form/medium. AART.BOXX will be held at Tin Sheds Gallery, a purpose built contemporary art space affiliated with the University of Sydney from 17 October – 8 November 2008. Applications for pre-selection close Monday 16 June 2008. For further info contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer on 02 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au.
Image: Training session, Arts Activated
Conference 2007.
Disability Awareness and Access Training available
With the appointment of a new Training Manager, Accessible Arts is excited to announce the delivery of a half-day TAFE accredited Disability Awareness and Access workshop, on Tuesday 24 June 2008 from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Accessible Arts Training Room, Pier 4, The Wharf, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. The workshop aims to identify barriers faced by people with disabilities when accessing venues and participating in events. It will identify strategies for breaking down physical and attitudinal barriers, increasing access and increasing confidence when dealing with access issues for people with disabilities. The workshop is ideal for those working in arts organisations e.g. front of house staff, box office staff, arts administrators and disability arts workers. Cost: $80.00. Registration deadline: Tuesday 10 June 2008. More info contact Jane Pollard, Training Manager on 02 9251 6499 (ext 3) or email training.manager@aarts.net.au. Download booking form here.
Image: Mixed Abilities Ensemble, Powerhouse
Youth Theatre, May 2008.
Mixed Abilities Ensemble off to a great start – limited places still available
The Mixed Abilities Ensemble Training Program has begun! Western Sydney's Creative Programs Coordinator, Alison Richardson commented “Cabravale Leisure Centre in Cabramatta didn’t know what hit them when their aerobic room was taken over by ten eager young performers.” This unique program is offering training in performance, voice and theatre making from three experienced tutors; Claudia Chidiac, Artistic Director of Powerhouse Youth Theatre; Aimee Falzon, voice tutor and Angela Hill, movement and dance choreographer. There are a limited number of places still available. Contact Claudia Chidiac on 02 9724 6077 or claudia@pyt.com.au. Keep updated on the project and development of the Mixed Abilities Ensemble at www.aarts.net.au/westernsydney.
Image: Old school house in Batemans Bay
transformed into the T.O.S.H Art Gallery
Speak Up on the South Coast Reminder
Accessible Arts is going on the road to catch up with regional communities and is holding its first consultation in Moruya on Friday 16 May from 11am to 3pm, with lunch included. Individuals and organisations from the surrounding communities including Batemans Bay and Bega are invited to share ideas that express the unique needs of their communities. This pilot consultation will act as a model for further meetings planned throughout regional NSW, dependant on Accessible Arts securing funding for the initiative. This will enable the voices from both regional arts and disability sectors to be heard by policy and decision makers based in metropolitan areas of NSW. To RSVP for the Moruya consultation or for further information contact Alision McLaren, Audience Development Officer on 02 9251 6499 (ext 6), fax 02 9251 6422, email amclaren@aarts.net.au. Please outline any access requirements when booking your place.
Image: David Doyle, Apprenticeship Training
Program participant
Artist Profile: David Doyle - Apprenticeship Training Program participant
David Doyle is one of the participants of Accessible Arts - Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP). He says "Being involved in the Apprenticeship Training Program has helped me realize I belong on the stage, in front of the camera, behind the microphone and behind the scenes as well." David's lifestyle is proof of this. When he is not training or instructing martial arts, you may hear him on community radio station BLUFM 89.1 as a presenter. He has also been involved in several theatre productions in the Blue Mountains where he is able to use his voice training skills, learnt when studying a course at NIDA. He was the MC for the My Space, My Place exhibition at Powerhouse Youth Theatre last October and was an interviewer for Accessible Arts' AART.BOXX exhibition at Sydney Opera House for International Day for People with a Disability in 2007. David will graduate with a Certificate II in Live Production, Theatre and Events this July. His developing skills base in the arts will reward any employer.
Audience Development Tip of the Month – Engage an Access Officer at your festival
Accessible Arts would like to congratulate Electrofringe for bringing access into the fringe. Electrofringe is a five-day festival of electronic arts and culture featuring national and international artists and occurring as part of the ‘This Is Not Art’ (TINA) festival in Newcastle, NSW from 2 - 6 October 2008. For the first time, Electrofringe have engaged an Access Officer who will ensure that people with a disability are included and welcomed throughout the entire program. Adam Sandford has been appointed for the position and has experience as a carer and arts worker. His work as Access Officer will include involvement in Open Immersion, a one-day exhibition of installation based art works that have a particular focus on engaging people of any ability. Proposals for workshops, panels, artist and project presentations, residencies, special events, electro-online and electro-projections are now being accepted. Applications close 31 May 2008.
Image: Jane Pollard, Accessible Arts Training
Manager
Staff Movements
This month we are happy to welcome Jane Pollard and Peter Mullar to our team. Jane has been appointed Training Manager and will oversee the development and delivery of quality Disability Awareness and Access training. She also currently works two days a week managing the Professional Development program for Community Cultural Development NSW and brings a range of education and arts experience to our organisation . We are also fortunate to have Peter Mullar who is joining us one day a week. Peter is working as a volunteer and will manage and develop our database to its full capacity. He brings many years of information technology experience to the floor. Our Marketing Coordinator, Nadia de Celgie has returned from maternity leave and we welcome her back. She will be working closely with major Sydney festivals over the coming months.
Sector News
Image: Sydney Writers’ Festival
2007, Walsh Bay, NSW.
Sydney Writers’ Festival puts access on the page
This year’s festival is highly accessible with events that are free, have disability content as well as tactile works. In particular, a free Nightwriting Poetry Installation will feature poets reading their work from memory in the dark and full text versions of the poems will be transformed into body-powered wall projections. Authors to watch out for include Ryan Knighton, who has been losing his sight for the last fifteen years. He has published three books, developed a screenplay at the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab, is the subject of a documentary and has taught contemporary literature, pop-culture and creative writing. Ruby Langford-Gibini is another prolific author.She has writen five books and is a proud elder of the Bundjalung people from northern New South Wales. She has lived a remarkable and inspiring life as an indigenous woman and a wheelchair user. Read more...
Image: Born Without, Nacido Sin
Accessible Cinema at Sydney Film Festival second year running
This year's great selection of films by or about people with disabilities builds on the huge success of the Accessible Cinema program in 2007 and is for all filmgoers. Sydney Film Festival has revealed two accessible cinema movies already, as a sneak preview to the full program due out on the 8 May 2008. Born Without, Director Eva Norvind, is a Mexican film about the remarkable life of Jose Flores, who was born without arms. Her Name is Sabine, Director Sandrine Bonnaire, is the moving story of the filmmakers younger sister, whose autism was undiagnosed for many years and whose treatment, despite her loving family’s best endeavours, was often inappropriate. The festival will run from the 4 - 22 June 2008 and flexipasses are on sale now.
Image: Club Wild 2005. Photographer,
Barnaby Norris.
Bakehouse is coming … Volunteers wanted
This year sliced bread attraction is producing a major inclusive arts event called Bakehouse, which will be held at CarriageWorks in Redfern and several other venues across Sydney, 13 - 19 October 2008. The event will include a series of innovative workshops from contemporary arts organisations, ERTH, Performance Space & Stalker, film nights, a forum in Western Sydney, performance and Accessible Arts' AART.BOXX exhibition. If you'd like to volunteer for Bakehouse (photographers & videographers are particularly welcome) or for further information on Bakehouse please contact Alison Richardson on email alison@slicedbreadattraction.org.au or call/text 0410 152 341.
Sydney Opera House performance for only five dollars
Sydney Opera House and the Balnaves Foundation Open House Program is offering five dollar tickets to a performance of Edward Scissorhands on Tuesday, 3 June at 6.30 pm in the Opera Theatre. Based on the Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorrhands has been adapted into a magical stage spectacular, appropriate for all ages. Tickets for this show usually range from $130 to $90. However the Balnaves Foundation Open House Program enable unwaged, pensioners, health care and transport concession holders tickets for the nominal price of five dollars. For more information on the program email openhouse@sydneyoperahouse.com or contact Sveta Gilerman at Sydney Opera House on 02 9250 7812. To make a booking call the Balnaves booking line on 02 9250 7799 or email balnavesbookings@sydneyoperahouse.com. Access details here.
Image: The Serpent’s Teeth, two
one-act plays by Daniel Keene.
Interpreted Theatre Performance at Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is offering an interpreted performance of the production The Serpent's Teeth by Daniel Keene on Thursday 8 May at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House at 8.00pm. Daniel Keene’s productions have earned critical praise and sell-out seasons in theatres and at festivals in Australia, the United States and across Europe. In The Serpent's Teeth, two one-act plays – Citizens and Soilders delicately reveal the real tragedy of war and its impact on ordinary, yet precious lives. The interpreters are Liza Clews and Chevoy Sweeney. Cost: $42.00 (this is a concession price). If necessary, when booking please state that you would like the seats set aside for Deaf/hearing impaired patrons.
Image: Minister for Ageing and Disabilty
Services, Kristina Keneally at Arts Activated
Conference 2007
Companion Card announced for NSW
The Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally has announced the introduction of a Companion Card for carers of people with severe or profound disabilities. The Companion Card acknowledges that a carer is indispensable to a person with a profound disability, giving them equal access to services and facilities. Carers will receive free public transport and entry to some government facilities as part of a new initiative. "In addition to public buses and trains, we believe there will be strong support for the card from the private sector, particularly entertainment and sporting businesses," Keneally stated. The card will be free, it won’t be means tested and will make it easier for about 25,000 people in NSW to better access community events. It will be available later this year. Click here for more info.
Regional Focus
Regional Arts Fund (NSW) Grants available
Grants supporting arts and cultural activities in regional NSW are open until 14 August 2008 – pending continued funding. These grants are available for arts projects or activities that are sustainable, have long term cultural, economic and social benefits, develop partnerships and cultural networks and provide skills development opportunities. With one round per year, projects commencing in 2009 will be funded. Multiple year funding and grants of more than $20,000 per year are available but must be discussed with Regional Arts NSW prior to applying. Regional Arts NSW have a guide to writing grant applications on their new website. The site is a thorough source of arts news, publications, events, projects and networks in regional and rural New South Wales.
International Focus
Image: Keith Khan, head of culture for the 2012
London Olympics and Paralympic Games.
International Speaker – A leading voice on cultural diversity
Keith Khan's recent Leading Voices talk on cultural diversity and the art of making creative cities is now available in MP3 audio format at the Australia Council for the Arts website. Leading Voices is the Australia Council for the Arts new program of workshops and presentations by leading international audience development and arts marketing experts. Keith’s presentation focused on his experience of cultural projects that have promoted social inclusion and driven urban regeneration. As head of culture for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Keith also spoke about the role of the Olympics in promoting diversity and future planning. For more information on the global arts community go to Fuel4Arts.
Feedback
We invite you to comment on any of the items in this month’s newsletter, share your experiences of attending any of the listed events in May or offer suggestions for future newsletter items. This month we will give away a double pass to Dendy Cinemas to see a movie of your choice for the best contribution. Email: info@aarts.net.au.
Send us your news
Contributions to the newsletter are welcome and encouraged. Please send us your item by the 15th of the month, for the following month’s edition. Listings should include the title, date, location, a short (100 word) description 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 disabilities, their families, friends and carers and are accessible will be published. Email contributions to: info@aarts.net.au.