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Welcome to our May 2016 newsletter.

Accessible Arts is pleased to announce the Small Grants recipients for 2016.

Of the 43 applications received, with a total of $418,305 requested, the assessment panel awarded $149,735 amongst four projects in Sydney, three projects in Western Sydney, and four projects in regional NSW.

Congratulations to successful recipients Alison Winchester, Arts North West, Autism Spectrum Australia, Critical Path, Geoffrey Andrew Grant, Murmuration, Outlandish Arts, Powerhouse Youth Theatre, R.E.D. INC, Regional Arts NSW, and Willowbank Studios Inc.

Alistair McEwin takes the reins as Disability Human Rights Commissioner from Susan Ryan, who has been juggling the role along with that of Age Discrimination Commissioner since the departure of Mr Innes nearly two years ago. As well as his role at the Deaf Society, Mr McEwin is the chairman of the Disability Council of NSW. We look forward to seeing Mr McEwin represent the rights of people with disability in Australia.

A reminder that Audio Description was made available on a selection of programs on iview for a trial period of 15 months, that started in April 2015. The ABC is calling for your feedback on the Audio Description trial. To share your thoughts about the experience complete the ABC Audio Description Survey.

Lastly, Accessible Arts is hosting a community consultation from 6pm – 8pm on Thursday 16 June for users of audio description at Vivid Festival 2016. The aim is to have a small focused group discussion about the experience, access and quality of the audio description at this year’s festival. If you are attending Vivid and would like to be involved in this consultation, please email Sarah Houbolt, Strategic Projects Manager, shoubolt@aarts.net.au

Accessible Arts New Website Launched

Accessible Arts is proud to announce and launch to the sector our new website.

We look forward to your feedback about your user experience.

If you have something to comment please email Tammy Brennan, Communications Manager, at info@aarts.net.au

Screenshot of home page of new Accessible Arts website

'Pathways to Practice', Arts Activated 2016

First Keynote Speaker announced for Arts Activated 2016 – Pathways to Practice.

Pádraig Naughton became Executive Director of Arts and Disability Ireland (ADI) in 2005. Working strategically in partnership with the arts sector, ADI champions the creativity of artists with disability and promotes inclusive experiences for audiences with disability.

Pádraig is the current Chair of the VSA Affiliate Council, a global network of arts and disability organisations.

Pádraig is the keynote for organisational pathways and will discuss disability-led approaches, the importance of partnerships and the broader picture of employing people with disability in the arts as arts managers, programmers and curators.

Conference Assistant Opportunity

Conference Convenor Sarah Houbolt is looking for a volunteer assistant in the lead up to the Arts Activated 2016 conference. The volunteer will be interested in producing or events management, be available for at least one day per fortnight or two half days per fortnight. For more information, please contact Sarah directly on +61 2 9251 6499 extension 107, or shoubolt@aarts.net.au

Other conference news: There are also a range of sponsorship options available that will provide strong branding and exposure in a focused, professional creative environment. Visit the Arts Activated website for full Sponsorship Prospectus details.

Image of young people as part of the ACO Move Program

Australian Chamber Orchestra Move Program 2016

As part of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s commitment to developing new initiatives for people with disability, ACO are hosting ACO Move, a series of classes integrating movement and live music.

Participants work with arts facilitator Dean Watson, ACO musicians, a percussionist and support staff through a series of task-related exercises designed to develop movement responses to music.

Classes are free of cost and held at the ACO Studio – a safe and inclusive environment – and participants must be available to attend all five sessions.

Visit the ACO Move Program website for all dates and how to apply.

Front Up Call for Artists

Call for professional emerging artists with disability.

Take your career to the next level and be part of this exciting new initiative.

This innovative program aims to encourage artists who want to evolve and develop their careers and become future art leaders for Front Up in 2017.

Full information online at the Front Up website.

Donate to Accessible Arts

Upcoming Training

Disability Awareness Training Wednesday 15 June, 9:30am – 1:30pm.

Disability awareness training is vital for people working across all levels of arts policy or practice within organisations.

It provides a real understanding of disability and inclusive practices relevant to all.

Our training is delivered by an experienced trainer with lived experience.

To book contact Sarah Houbolt, Strategic Projects Manager, on +61 2 9251 6499 extension 107, shoubolt@aarts.net.au, or register online here.

Visit our website for more Training information.

Catalyst Dance Residency

Elle Evangelista, Catalyst Dance Resident, talks about her experience of the first stage of the Catalyst program.

"For me Catalyst has already been so beneficial in providing some great connections with like minded people.

Since our time together in Carriageworks, I have been able to perform a work by Ghenoa Gela in Melbourne and Sydney after participating in her workshop that we had on day one. I have also been approached by another artist working in integrated practices for a new development and am also continuing to work with Auslan in dance settings.

I am so thankful to have Dan Daw as my mentor as he really allows me to guide the process, and is so encouraging along the way.

I can’t wait to be in the Drill Hall with everyone in August to hear about all their pursuits and continuing to learn altogether."

Visit the Catalyst Dance Residency website for more information.

Featured Artists

Image of young woman with dark long hair looking upward and away from the camera

Sydney Deaf and Hard of Hearing Photographers – novice and pro.

The group meet once a month at different locations in greater Sydney, to share ideas, take better photos and meet new people.

Artists explore different themes including nature, landscape, seascape, street, urban, architecture, people, portraits, fashion as well as creative, conceptual and fine art photography.

The group can communicate through Auslan (Australian Sign Language). There is no barrier!

The Sydney Deaf and Hard of Hearing Photographers 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.

Liz Martin EP Launch

image of liz martin sitting in a chair in a salon setting

Join Liz Martin and her superb band featuring Michael Bridges, Dirk Kruithof, Michaela Davies, and Ivan Jordan, as they release their stunning new digital EP release “Without You”.

When: Sunday June 19, at 5pm.

Where: The launch is at Lennox Theatre, Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres.

Full event information online at Riverside Theatres.

The Forest Unyielding

image of young woman dancing in a forest

Comprising dance, film, vision, word and sound by some of Sydney’s most exciting contemporary artists, The Forest Unyielding is a dynamic new study of mental health, set in a dark forest space representing the inside of a brain.

When: 24/05/2016 to 28/05/2016 3pm and 7pm shows.

Where: 107 Projects, Redfern.

Full event information online at Eventbrite.

Speed of Life by RUCKUS

Access at Vivid Sydney 2016

RUCKUS promotional image with RUCKUS text in black and close up of a young man's face

With PACT centre for emerging artists RUCKUS presents: Speed of Life, Stop the world, I wanna hop on!

When: 25/05/2016 to 28/05/2016, 12:30pm and 7:30pm shows.

Auslan interpreted performances:

Friday 27 May 7:30pm and Saturday 28 May 12:30pm

Where: PACT Theatre, Erskinville.

Full event information online at PACT website.

Image of the opera house with the white sails projected onto with multi-coloured projections

Vivid Sydney runs from 27 May to 18 June 2016 and is recognised as the world's largest festival of music, light and ideas.

Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, owns, manages and produces Vivid Sydney, and is committed to delivering an accessible and inclusive event.

This year attendees will have greater access to information and services about Vivid Sydney through the Access and Inclusion page on vividsydney.com/accessibility and dedicated customer service to pre-plan their trip.

Featured arts + disability videos

Image of Sofya Gollan standing in front a black wall smiling

View Sofya Gollan's, Deaf Arts Officer, Auslan interpretation of the newsletter.

Stay up-to-date with our Deaf Arts News by joining the Deaf Arts Facebook Group.

image of hands with clay moulding a small bowl on a potters wheel

Alison Winchester was an Accessible Arts 2015 Small Grant Recipient.

Alison’s project includes a concentrated period of artistic training, professional development and mentoring to fully explore the possibilities of her art at the Hazlehurst Regional Art Gallery.

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Accessible Arts is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW and Family and Community Services.