Accessible Arts projects.
Accredited courses.
Free monthly e-newsletter.
Creative Programs
Newsletter :: September 2007
Welcome to the Accessible Arts September 2007 Newsletter!
September edition...
Accessible Arts News
Image: Performer David Simpson of Eden Street
Players & Bega Tulgeen Access Service
Grants Opportunity For IDPWD 07 Art Events.
Accessible Arts is proud to announce that we are offering the opportunity for organisations to apply for small grants to assist in their budgeting for International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) 2007 arts events. These grants have been made possible with the support of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare (DADHC).Amounts of up to $500 will be available in 3 categories. Visit the Accessible Arts website for information & registration forms.
Sound Circles
Accessible Arts will be hosting a 6 week series of Sound Circles workshops every Saturday 10 - 11.30am from 6th October to 10th November. Held at Accessible Arts, Pier 4, The Wharf, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. All age groups are welcome to come and share in the Sound Circles experience - exploring and celebrating sound, rhythm, movement, energy and fun! Cost: $40 for 6 week course. Bookings essential by 2nd October 2007. Numbers are limited so to secure your place in this exciting and unique workshop please contact - Josie Cavallaro on 02 9251 6499 ext. 3 or email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au Visit Access Arts for more information on Sound Circles www.accessarts.org.au/sound_circles
The Studio Project
Accessible Arts in partnership with Pine Street Creative Arts Centre saw 9 talented artists with a disability immerse themselves in art making as part of an 8-week Studio Project. A review of this program was held last month, which enabled artists to showcase their works in progress and exchange ideas with visiting guests. As an onlooker, it was apparent that the participants benefited from working alongside each other as well as being mentored by tutors. “I was really inspired to work with talented people who each had a unique way to express their art”. Kathleen Done, Studio Project participant. For further information contact Josie Cavallaro at Accessible Arts.
Image: Special Access Kit
Accessible Arts at the This Is Not Art Festival
Accessibility is on the agenda for Newcastle’s emerging arts festival, This Is Not Art (TINA), 27th September-1st October 2007. The festival is held over the October long weekend every year, bringing artists, students and interested communities to experience action from the forefront of current Australian and international arts practices. On Saturday September 29th Accessible Arts will be at Newcastle Regional Art Gallery as part of a panel discussion on accessibility in the field of electronic arts. Discussion will be chaired by Electrofringe Co-Director Alex White, and feature Accessible Arts Strategic Initiatives Coordinator Jennifer Teo, new media artist Daniel Kojta and researcher Tess O'Brien (Australian Signing Choir).
Audience Development Tip of the Month
Results from 2007 metropolitan consultations for the Cultural Action Plan for People with a Disability in NSW will be announced at the upcoming Arts Activated Conference. A key highlight from active discussions in all destinations was the value of information sharing and networking. Come along to the Arts Activated Conference to share information about your latest project, network with colleagues from around Australia and overseas. The Conference will provide an insight into best practice audience development projects initiated by representatives from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Film Festival, Biennale of Sydney, Australia Council for the Arts, Department of Culture and the Arts WA, and Willoughby City Council.
Sector News
Image: True Colours Exhibition 'Untitled' by Steven.
True Colours
Miroma’s annual art exhibition, True Colours, is coming your way in September organise yourself, your friends or a group to attend! To be held at The Stone Gallery Paddington (Paddington Markets, Oxford Street), it will be officially opened on Saturday 1st September at 6pm to 8pm. The work will encompass a broad range of abilities in two-dimensional form and most of the works will be for sale. For further information contact: 02 9337 5167. www.miroma.org
Image: Boat At Rest
HeadEast This Month
An Acquired Brain Injury (A.B.I) can change a persons life dramatically. Head East Eastern Sydney is launching the beginning of a travelling exhibition, The Art of Recovery, concerning the power and value of the artistic process in aiding an individuals recovery through the life changing effects of an A.B.I. The majority of works in the exhibition have been created by people after sustaining an A.B.I and are both a testament to the artist’s skills and a statement in the necessity to pursue a creative outlet when a disability arises.
A successful Sydney barrister, Paul Joseph suffered a stroke in 2002. Unable to return to the workforce Paul decided to take up painting and has done so with a passion. Paul has been painting for 2 years now, despite his short career he is already an award winning artist.
Websites that inspire all
Arts websites in general know their online content needs to not only be enticing and innovative, but also be accessible and allow people to visit and interact with what is happening out there. There are 2 websites that showcase the creative talent of Australian film online and they are both free to access. Check out Australian Film Commission’s recently launched website www.australianscreen.com.au offering free online access to film clips on more than 500 Australian film and television productions. The other is Film Australia’s Digital Learning website. Teachers and educators are using the www.filmaustralia.com.au/library to easily access over 900 free video clips, footage and still images.
Theatre catering for people with disabilities
Sydney Theatre Company is currently offering a range of performances in September & October that provide access for people with disabilities. A Midsummer Night's Dream and Don’s Party will include audio descriptions, signed interpretation and captioning to specially dated performances. They are also offering a discounted price of $43 (normally $73) to people who book in for these performances. For dates and access details click here.
Image: Untitled by Barry Trengove circa 1987
Dementia Awareness Week: Arts and Dementia
To launch Dementia Awareness Week Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, will hold an inspiring session, the Newcastle Symposium 2007 at Newcastle Region Art Gallery on Monday 17 September 2007. The day will feature keynote speakers from Canada (Professor Ken Rockwood, Dalhousie University) and include from Australia, Dr Mike Bird (Alzheimer’s Australia) who collaborated with the National Gallery of Australia to investigate how viewing and experiencing art impacts on people with dementia. Other topics include indigenous art, memory and story telling. 8:15am — 5:00pm.
Cost: $80 per person. Includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon drinks & performances by local musicians. www.alzheimers.org.au.
Keynote speaker is Professor Ken Rockwood from Dalhousie University, Canada who is one of the world’s leading dementia clinicians and researchers. He is currently studying the effectiveness of certain drug treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease. He is also keenly interested in improving the way people with dementia communicate their concerns and experiences to clinicians. Dr Mike Bird will present the latest findings from a pilot study instigated by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and Dr John Zeisel in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia into how viewing and experiencing art impacts on people with dementia. Accessibility issues will also be discussed. Other speakers will include; Marily Cintra who has pioneered Arts and Health programs throughout NSW; Allan Bester who was Director of Nursing and CEO of ADARDS residential facility in Tasmania, who will talk about dementia and the built environment; and, Dorothy Burton, Indigenous Services Development Officer, HACC Resource Unit, Brisbane who will discuss indigenous art, memory and story telling. 1 Laman Street, Newcastle (parking available at Newcastle City Council Parking Station, corner King and Thorn Streets)
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
For further news, views and events go to our What's On page on our website.
Accessible Arts is a registered charity and donations of $2 and over are gratefully received.