CEO Quarterly Column

In thinking about what to highlight in this occasional column I cannot go past the the strengthening of arts and disability in Australia as seen through the reception of both Scottish choreographer and dancer, Clair Cunningham and Australian-born but now Glasgow-based performance artist and choreographer, Caroline Bowditch. 

The commitment of the Perth Festival to showcase work in a mainstream environment and the readiness of audiences in Sydney and elsewhere is a demonstration of the professional, original and creative work performed by artists with disability. 

These performances have been followed by the inclusion of Studio A artists in Art Month Sydney, the programming of films featuring disability issues and/or actors with disability (On Richard’s Side, Down Under, Life Animated and Notes on Blindness) as part of the Sydney Film Festival and the Northern NSW electronic music five-piece band, Tralala Blip, performing at the opening of TEDxSydney at the Sydney Opera House. 

This cluster of programmed artists with disability in major mainstream events is long overdue. [Full message on Accessible Arts website]

Catalyst Dance Residency

Karen Veldhuizen, Catalyst Dance Resident, is a beneficiary of a mentoring relationship with Michelle Ryan, as part of the Catalyst Dance Development program. 

Karen says about her experience, "I received many unexpected outcomes. Not only was Michelle a source of knowledge and professional support, but she came alongside me as a friend and fellow-traveller. This had the unexpected result of validating and affirming my identity as an artist. And most wonderfully for me was the discovery that the story that told itself in her body connected so keenly with my own."

"Michelle supported my investigations leading into an artistic residency (my first one ever!) and encouraged me to pursue artists and groups whose work inspired me. One of the most unexpected outcomes of my development this year was an invitation to secondment with Murmuration, NSW. I am sure I would not have stepped into this possibility without the companionship of a mentor like Michelle."

Visit the Catalyst Dance Residency website for more information.

Featured Artists

Creatively Connected is a lively group of practicing artists with disability meeting together to enhance and develop their individual professional practice skills. 

The artists will learn critical evaluation skills through visiting exhibitions voted by them, that are relevant to their interest and practice, and be energised by taking part in showing and promoting their art in traditional and modern contexts.

Professional practice skills and regular exhibition visits to discuss works that are interesting to the group. 

Artists will learn ways to promote and sell their art in the community, both traditional and non-traditional methods, enter exhibitions, and work toward a group show of their own work.

Creatively Connected is part of Accessible Arts’ Artist Run Initiative [ARI] Project. 

This initiative supports the autonomy of nine artist run initiatives, for artists with and without disability, in their local communities across NSW.