The 2021 Vivid Sydney festival is set to explore the diverse creative practice of some of Sydney’s leading artists with disability as part of a partnership with the upcoming Arts Activated 2021 conference.

Arts Activated 2021 is Australia’s leading arts and disability forum and will feature 20 sessions and events – most virtual but some live – held over three Mondays in August – August 9, 16 and 23. The theme of the conference is ‘Building Back For Everyone’ with a post-COVID take on improving access and inclusion across Australia’s arts and cultural sector for arts practitioners and audiences with disability.

Four FREE live sessions will feature as part of the 2021 Vivid Ideas program with three sessions from 10am – 5pm on 16 August and one session from 6pm – 8pm on 23 August. The sessions will be held at the Vivid Ideas Exchange at the University of Technology Sydney’s Great Hall at Ultimo.

The four sessions will feature artists, academics, advocates and accessibility experts who will explore a range of different topics related to creativity, innovation, career development, access and inclusion.

Monday 16 August | 10am – 5pm

Off The Wall Gallery: Art of Lived Experience | 10am – 12pm

Art can be activism for human rights, and artists with disabilities have a unique perspective to share. Telling our stories has the power to transform trauma into artworks they’re proud to share with society, which in turn educates, empowers and builds community well-being. During Covid-19, Off The Wall Gallery started a collective where artists with disabilities met for online workshops to collaborate on an immersive exhibition of art videos, shown online within a 3D digital space. Join us to hear their story and discover how these artists built resilience through Relational Art. https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/off-the-wall-gallery-art-of-lived-experience

Innovating Art Through Disability | 1pm – 2pm

Innovation and creativity go hand in hand, especially in the realm of arts and culture where creativity needs to be constantly shape-shifting to ensure the work produced by artists remains compelling and relevant. Join four of NSW’s leading voices in arts and disability as they explore how people with disability are changing the culture of creativity. Discover their exciting new approaches and projects as well as those of other local and international practitioners. Find out about the latest research around creative accessibility for artists and audiences with disability. https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/innovating-art-through-disability

Digital Arts & Disability – New Ideas & Inclusive Practice | 3pm – 5pm

Disability arts has been called the final frontier of the avant garde. So, when artists with disability enter the realm of digital arts, expect the unexpected. Join a panel of local creatives as they explore the impact of inclusive filmmaking in a digital space, how artists with disability can share their stories through these mediums, and how inclusive filmmaking can draw in more ideas and more artists. https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/digital-arts-and-disability-new-ideas-and-inclusive-practice-by-bus-stop-films-and

Monday 23 August | 6pm – 8pm

Audio Drama | 6pm – 8pm

Love audio books? And podcasts? Heard of audio films? Not so much? Let’s change that! Audio Drama – aka audio description, or AD – is an audio version of film and TV that frees us from screens so we can enjoy film and TV while out and about, travelling, gardening, working or doing other things. Join us at for a showcase of Audio Drama clips from popular films and TV shows followed by a panel discussion with AD experts, fans and filmmakers. Discover how AD can change our perspective on screen-based entertainment. https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/audio-drama

Virtual Sessions

The Arts Activated 2021 conference will also feature 14 virtual sessions which will be presented in partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU). These sessions will feature a line-up of over 50 speakers and panellists including several high profile Australian and international guests. Delegates will have a range of virtual and live networking options including being a member of the live studio audience at WSU for the broadcast of virtual sessions.

Artists, arts workers, disability advocates, government workers and researchers are all being encouraged to attend to share ideas and approaches for ‘Building Back For Everyone’.

Registrations are available for community and industry members plus there’s a special early bird discount of 25% for delegates who purchase registrations by June 30.

The biennial event is produced by Accessible Arts, NSW’s peak arts and disability organisation.

To register or find out more, please visit the Arts Activated 2021 conference website: www.artsactivated2021.com

ENDS

Contact: Michael Badorrek | Marketing & Development Manager | +61 0431 594 007 | marketing@aarts.net.au

Facebook Post: The 2021 Vivid Sydney festival is set to feature 4 sessions in its Vivid Ideas program which explore the diverse creative practice of some of Sydney’s leading artists with disability as part of a partnership with the upcoming Arts Activated 2021 conference, Australia’s leading forum for making arts, culture and events more accessible and inclusive for arts practitioners and audiences with disability (Sydney + Online | Aug 9, 16 & 23). The 4 sessions will feature artists, academics, advocates and accessibility experts who will explore a range of different topics related to creativity, innovation, career development, access and inclusion. REGISTER NOW! www.artsactivated2021.com

Twitter Post: Vivid Ideas to explore arts & disability with 4 FREE sessions presented in partnership with Arts Activated 2021, Australia’s leading forum for arts & disability (Sydney + Online | Aug 9, 16 & 23). www.artsactivated2021.com

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