Don't DIS my ABILITY
In New South Wales, the month-long campaign Don't DIS my ABILITY celebrates International Day of People With a Disability (IDPWD), a day designated by the United Nations to celebrate talents, skills and abilities of people with a disability.
Don't DIS my ABILITY is run by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), Department of Human Services NSW. Ambassadors are selected from the arts, sports and business as role models to support this campaign and to challenge assumptions about disability.
In 2002 Accessible Arts initiated an arts program on behalf of ADHC for Don't DIS my ABILITY. The arts program has extended across NSW and brings together arts and cultural organisations to work towards an event, project or policy, inclusive of people with disability. The development of these initiatives are supported in a number of ways including small grants, promotion of events online and in a publication distributed statewide.
Latest News
- 28/12/2009 - Representation of artistic ability on the rise
- 26/11/2009 - Arts projects throughout NSW develop artistic ability
- 09/09/2009 - Small Arts Grants attract big arts ideas
- 16/07/2009 - Small Grants available for Don't DIS my ABILITY projects and events
Don't DIS my ABILITY Campaign 2009
Accessible Arts Small Arts Grants
In 2009, high quality, sustainable projects that involve partnerships between the professional arts and disability sectors were eligible to apply for grants of up to $1000 as part of Don't DIS my ABILITY. Accessible Arts small arts grants were made possible with the support of ADHC.
Applications for grants opened in April and closed in August 2009. A total of 42 applications were received, with 11 grants of up to $1000 allocated. A selection panel was formed to award grant allocations. Suzanne Becker, Director Accessible Arts; Jim Conway, Musician; Becky Chapman and Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officers Accessible Arts where on the panel.
Don't DIS my ABILITY Successful Grant Recipients 2009
- Arts Out West (Central West NSW) Embracing Your Life
- Byron Shire Council (North Coast NSW) Drumming to My Own Beat
- Cessnock Regional Art Gallery (Upper Hunter NSW) Creating Dreams
- Cobar Arts Council (Far West NSW) Making Sense of Art
- Dean Watson (Sydney) Flamenco @ Rozelle Community Centre
- Janet Diane (Sydney) I Love You
- Links for Life (North Coast NSW) Breaking Ground
- Murray Arts (Albury Wodonga NSW) Film Mentorship
- The Leisure Company (Far West NSW) We know we CAN Dance
- Tra La La Blip (Northern Rivers NSW) Electronic Music workshops
- Wollongong City Council (Illawarra NSW) An Artistic Celebration
"We are so grateful to you Accessible Arts for the support of our Creating Dreams project. This grant will enable the gallery and Endeavour Industries to create a wonderful and inspiring exhibition - and one which the whole community will be able to enjoy."
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery
Don't DIS my ABILITY 2009 Timeline:
- Monday 17 August 2009 - Applications deadline
- Monday 24 August 2009 - Notification of receipt of application
- Monday 31 August 2009 - Notification of Grant Recipients
- Monday 14 September 2009 - Deadline event registration online
- Thursday 3 December 2009 - International Day of People with a Disability
- Monday 20 December 2009 - Deadline acquittals for grant recipients
Further information
Contact Becky Chapman, Arts Development Officer, on tel: (02) 9251 6499 (ext.107) or email: bchapman@aarts.net.au.