Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

The first year of the Accessible Arts Award has highlighted a dozen excellent projects for, by or about people with a disability. It has also provided a forum for all nominees to articulate how they are including and caring for people with a disability and the elderly and how improved access is benefiting the whole community. All entries were considered in the judging process and six finalists were selected.

The awards this year saw a record 116 submissions evaluated by a panel of judges, including Accessible Arts CEO, Sancha Donald. There are seven categories and two inaugural special awards, including the Accessible Arts Award and the Peoples Choice Award. In total, 21 awards recognising the innovative achievements of NSW Local Governments and their communities from across the State were announced.

The winner of the Accessible Arts Cultural Award went to Camden Creative Studios, Camden Council for an inclusive and accessible initiative in design and execution. Camden Creative Studios is a new facility combining traditional and digital arts to provide education, new skills and opportunities for creative expression to people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities in the Camden area.

The short list for the Accessible Arts Award included:

• Visions of Pleasure, Goulburn Mulwaree Council
• Loud and Proud Youth Festival, Greater Hume Shire Council
• Stop the world I want to get off, Lake Macquarie City Council
• Sensory Tours, Penrith City Council
• Multi Arts Performance Project - Gr8 ParT! R U Coming? Tweed Shire Council

Other projects that are by, for or about people with a disability include:

• The way I see it, Hurstville Council
• MHAD - St George Mental Health Arts Development
• For Matthew & Others - Journeys with Schizophrenia