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Accessible Arts News

Visual Artists Studio Project continues in 2008

We are very pleased to be able to announce that the Visual Artists' studio program conducted as a pilot program in 2007 will now be run in 2008. The Sidney Myer Foundation has agreed to fund the program next year. Expression of interest will be called for in February 2008. A delightful exhibition of the work produced in the pilot program was held at Accessible Arts at the beginning of December. Works exhibited included painting, drawing, printmaking and digital media works. Congratulations to all the artists who participated in the project. We look forward to hearing about their future developments and wish them well with their careers. Thanks also to Pine Street Creative Arts Centre. Without their partnership this project would not have been possible.

Image: Artist Jonathan Brent being interviewed
by the AART.BOXX VOX POPcrew from the
Accessible Arts Apprenticeship training program.

AART.BOXX 07 – Another Great Success

Held in the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House on November 20-22 over two exciting days, more than 350 people viewed the exhibition this year. Anne Loxley, Managing Curator, Penrith Regional Gallery and Lewers Bequest opened AART.BOXX. Performing Artist, Tracie Sammut was the MC for the evening. The formal proceedings concluded with a dynamite speech by AART.BOXX artist Peter Hughes from Brisbane. As part of the public program for AART.BOXX, audiences were given the opportunity to listen and respond to artist talks that detailed the creative processes of these talented emerging artists.

For 2008, AART.BOXX will move to Tin Sheds Gallery, a purpose built contemporary art space run by the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney. Accessible Arts is currently looking for a committee of young people to direct and coordinate this event for 2008. For more info go to Our Projects or contact: Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer jcavallaro@aarts.net.au or 9251 6499 ext 4.

Image: Yumi Schaefer

New Leaps for Integrated Dance

2008 will see a re-energised Integrated Dance program held at Accessible Arts in partnership with the Sydney Dance Company. Commencing on the 12 January, Integrated Dance will be held every Saturday from 10–11.15am. The cost is $10 per class. The Integrated Dance program is facilitated by Yumi Schaefer, an experienced Dance teacher, who loves to work with dance enthusiasts with varying abilities and needs. For full details visit the Integrated Dance page. For further enquires contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer on 9251 6499 ext 4 or jcavallaro@aarts.net.au

Image: AARTS Gallery Space

Accessible Arts launches Gallery Space

An inexpensive accessible space is now available for hire at Accessible Arts for short exhibitions. Situated on Pier 4, The Wharf, at Walsh Bay, the space offers superb harbour views. Facilities include feature hanging tracks, refreshment amenities, tables and chairs. DVD and digital projector equipment is available on request. The space would suit not for profit groups wishing to exhibit work produced in community programs. For more info or to book the Accessible Arts Gallery Space contact Mukesh Bhardwaj on 9251 6499 or email: mbhardwaj@aarts.net.au

Topics wanted for Accessing the Arts Group Meetings

Accessible Arts joins up with representatives from the arts industry three times a year to explore emerging topics that organizations grapple with when designing and implementing programs for artists and audiences with a disability. These informal meetings are a great way to network with other people working in your field. This year, we are keen to plan ATAG meetings in advance. We want you to provide input into hot topics that we can debate throughout 2008. If you are interested in coming along to our planning meeting on 6 February, contact Alison McLaren on 02 9251 6499 (ext. 6) or e-mail amclaren@aarts.net.au.

Image: Sound Circles participant Sarah
Woodhill.

Inspiritational Circles of Sound

“I feel so free”–Sarah Woodhill, just one of many responses to the recent Sound Circles workshop hosted by Accessible Arts in association with Access Arts QLD. This program was delivered by emerging facilitators from the Sound Circles Skills Development Program held at Accessible Arts in March 07. The six-week workshop evolved into a journey that explored sounds and movement propelled by the groups’ unique ideas and creative contributions. Room for collective creative expression is at the core of Sound Circles. The result was a vibrant and diverse collection of improvisations using voices, bodies and instruments, culminating in an awesome recording and presentation to friends and family. For more information visit Sound Circles on Our Projects.

Regional Arts and Disability Action Strategy

Accessible Arts is developing a Regional Arts and Disability Action Strategy in 2008 and is offering 10 local communities in rural and regional areas the opportunity to participate in this exciting new initiative. Alison McLaren, Audience Development Officer, will work with you to bring arts and disability organisations together. She will facilitate targeted consultations to identify unique solutions and lobby for further support of arts and disability issues in your area. To nominate your organisation, Council or Shire to host this process, please contact Alison by the end of January 2008 on 02 9251 6499 (ext. 6) or email amclaren@aarts.net.au.

New and Easy On-line Applications for Cultural Awards 08 Now Open

The new NSW Local Government Cultural Awards are now open for entries. These awards recognise vital cultural development activity by and with NSW Councils. This includes the newly established Accessible Arts Cultural Award, where entrants include information on how people with a disability are included in their projects. The project that best delivers a high level of access for people with a disability will gain the Accessible Arts Award. Entries close 28 February. For more information or to apply for the Cultural Awards go to www.CulturalAwards.lgsa.org.au.

Audience Development Tip of the Month

Accessible Arts has been working with a range of arts organizations to enable free tickets for carers. People with a disability who require assistance are often unable to attend arts events without a carer. People who have a disability also often have a reduced earning capacity. If you ask someone who requires assistance to pay for two tickets, then they are paying double the price. Free ticketing for carers is a great way of broadening your audience. For help with your ticketing policy, please contact Alison McLaren on 02 9251 6499 (ext. 6) or amclaren@aarts.net.au.

Sector News

Image: Nick Mann

‘Buck House’ fosters Composer and Pianist

Nick Mann has composed, performed and self-produced six CDs of piano music since 2000. In total he has written about 300 pieces, mostly in the style of Romantic Composers such as Chopin, Mendelssohn and Schumann. Nick is a member of Buckingham House, a club that is dedicated to the recovery of people living with psychosocial disabilities. Established in 1976, Buckingham House is run by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. The support and social interaction at ‘Buck House’ enables artists like Nick to foster their creativity and art practices. If you would like more information about Buckingham House, contact the Coordinator Ms Siobhan Mackenzie on 02 9698 8116. To find out more about the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association contact Warren on 02 9319 6868. If you would like to sample Nick’s music, you can order a CD through Buckingham House.

One Month to go for Sydney Film Festival Submissions

The deadline is approaching for pre selection entry of films for the 55th Sydney Film Festival. Features, documentaries, short films, experimental works and animations are being accepted for the annual festival, 4-22 June 2008. Entry deadline is the 18 February 2008. The groundbreaking work of the Sydney Film Festival in partnership with Accessible Arts in 2007, provided representation of and increased opportunities for new cinema made by, with and about people with a disability together with improving accessibility. We look forward to working with the Sydney Film Festival to further develop Accessible Cinema in 2008. For more info go to www.sydneyfilmfestival.org

Image: Pat Rix Arts Activated Conference.
Photo: Giselle Haber

Congratulations Pat Rix - Highly Commended by HREOC

The founder and Artistic Director of Tutti Ensemble, Pat Rix has been highly commended by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, as part of the 2007 Human Rights Community (Individual) Award. Tutti Ensemble, an amalgam of enthusiastic community members, professional artists and people with an intellectual disability has evolved over 10 years, from a community support program to a multi-faceted performing and visual arts entity. Pat’s contribution to the success of Tutti Ensemble was recognised by the judges and they were moved by her hard work. Pat delivered a presentation at the Accessible Arts Conference - Arts Activated in September 2007 and the audience was spell bound by a performance from Tutti Ensemble. For more info on the Tutti Ensemble go to www.tutti.org.au

:: Arts Intersections :: Call for Papers

A two-day symposium to develop collaborations between community arts, disability and research organisations in and around Brisbane will take place in Queensland in July 2008. The symposium is being hosted by Griffith Abilities Research Program at Griffith University, Queensland in conjunction with Access Arts Queensland, the peak body working with artists, cultural workers and their communities across Queensland. Expressions of interest for exhibitions and performances as well as proposals to present papers, panel discussions and workshops are now being accepted. To obtain more information and an application form contact a.locke@griffith.edu.au. Call for papers closes 1 March 2008. For more information about Access Arts Queensland, go to www.accessarts.org.au.

International Disability Film Festival Entries Open

The Other Film Festival is Australia's only international disability film festival and is renowned for excellence in filmmaking, highly accessible cinema and the passionate exchange of ideas. This year’s festival will be held at Melbourne Museum in September 2008 and there is $5000 on offer for the best film as well as other cash prizes. Enter online at www.withoutabox.com/login/5000. Entry fee is $30.00 or student $25.00. Films may be any length or genre, but your film must be made by, with or about people with a disability. Deadline for entries is 3 March 2008. For more info please contact off@artsaccess.com.au, ph +61 3 9699 8299, fax +61 3 9699 8868 or TTY +61 3 9699 7636 or go to www.otherfilmfestival.com

Black Dog Writing Competition highly commended by HREOC

The Black Dog Institute has launched its 4th annual writing competition and invites you to participate. This year’s topic is mood disorders in adolescence. Essays and poems written by people who’ve experienced clinical depression or bipolar disorder during adolescence are now being accepted. Entries close 31 January 2008. We congratulate the Black Dog institute for their last publication ‘Journeys with the Black Dog ’. It recently received a Highly Commended Award from the Human Rights and Equal Employment Commission (HREOC) in the Arts Non-Fiction Award section. Editors Tessa Wigney, Kerrie Eyers and Professor Gordon Parker, accepted the award on behalf of the 634 contributors who tell their stories in the book. For more information about the Black Dog Institute and submitting your story to next year’s book go to www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Regional News

Image: Bago Magic Performance Group
Workshop

2008 Funding Win for Regional Disability/Arts Projects

Accessible Arts would like to congratulate Eurobodalla Shire Council and Bago Magic Performance Group for winning funding from Regional Arts NSW in support of projects in 2008. Eurobodalla Shire Council will create a free form sensory garden with visual and audio installation in Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens. This work will reflect the responses of people with disabilities. Local artists will work with disabilities groups and be supported by two artist mentors. Bago Magic Performance Group will be providing drama, music, dance and visual arts weekly workshops for people of all abilities, leading to performances at the opening of the new Port Macquarie Entertainment Centre. For more info on these projects go to www.esc.nsw.gov.au and www.wauchopearts.org.au/bago. For more info on Regional Arts NSW go to www.regionalartsnsw.com.au

Inaugural Outback Disability Expo 19-20 Feb - Call for Submissions

Broken Hill, in the Far West Region of NSW, has unveiled a proactive strategy to overcome the difficulties that living in remote areas can sometimes cause. The Outback Disability Expo will provide an opportunity for rural, regional, city and state organizations to network and form valuable partnerships with those in isolated areas. The Expo will be a combination of exhibitions, workshops, and entertainment from diverse services, associations, societies and trade from NSW, SA, VIC and QLD. Information about sites, seminars and workshop opportunities can be obtained by contacting Outback Ability Tours on (08) 8088 7123 or email: outbackabilitytours@hotmail.com.

International News

Gromit Creator gives a Voice to People with a Disability

The Oscar-winning film company that created Wallace and Gromit has unveiled a new set of characters to highlight the day-to-day experiences of people with a disability. The six new characters - Peg the Hedgehog, Slim the Stick Insect, Flash the Sausage Dog, Tim the Tortoise, Spud the Slug and Brian the Bull Terrier - will feature in a television campaign in the UK from January. Aardman Animations has teamed up with a charity, Leonard Cheshire Disability, to launch Creature Discomforts - based on "Creature Comforts", one of their famous early creations of quirky plasticine-model animals. The campaign will provide insight into the lives of people with a disability and challenge community perceptions and stereotypes. For more info go to www.abc.net.au

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Accessible Arts is a registered charity and donations of $2 and over are gratefully received.