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Accessible Arts Logo and web banner - artwork by Alison Hall

Welcome to our September 2015 newsletter.

Accessible Arts is pleased to hear that the Australian Senate has supported a motion which could force television stations to introduce audio description services for blind people, and people with low vision. The technology and accessible content exists, and the Senate is calling on Australian broadcasters to take this important, permanent step towards equality and access to cultural life for the 350,000 Australians who are blind or with low vision. The full article on the motion can be read online at Probono news.

Sculpture by the Sea 2015 is fast approaching and the Tactile Tour program is now open for booking. The program also provides audio description tours for participants who are blind or with low vision. Cost is FREE. Please visit the Sculpture by the Sea website to find out how to book.

Call for artist submissions to the UK 'My Life' Shape Open art prize is open. The Shape Open is an annual call-out for artists with and without disability to submit work in response to a disability focused theme. Exhibiting artists will be selected by a panel of arts industry judges to show their work at Shape Open patron Yinka Shonibare MBE’s Guest Projects space. The winning artist will receive a £1000 prize. This year's theme, chosen by Yinka Shonibare, is 'My Life'. Visit the Shape Arts website to apply.

[Banner Image: Artwork by Alison Hall for the arts + disability 'stick' photographic exhibition]


Expo Web banner

arts + disability expo opens tomorrow!


Are you excited? 

The 2015 arts + disability expo starts tomorrow! Over two days we will be showcasing 27 organisations that have products and services available for individuals, groups and families wanting to fully participate in the arts. 

Along with the exhibitors, there will also be a Cultural Program with talks and performances by some very talented groups including the Royal Rehab Choir.

The expo is free to attend so bring along your friends and family for a great day out. If you can’t join us at Carrigeworks, you can follow all the expo action on our social media including the expo ‘Take a Selfie with Stranger’ competition on Instagram

Connect with us for expo updates:

Facebook.com/accessiblearts

Twitter.com/accessiblearts @accessible arts | #accessiblearts 

Instagram.com/aartsnsw @aartsnsw | #accessiblearts


Philip Channels Dance Residency banner image dance leaning out of a window

Beyond Technique Dance Residency 2015 EOI Open Now


The Beyond Technique Residency is on again! 

Expressions of Interest are now open for Australian and international artists wishing to attend the third annual live-in dance residency. This week-long skills development and performance-making project will take place at Bundanon Trust’s Boyd Education Centre from Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 November, 2015.

This project is accessible for participants with physical and/or sensory impairment, and is suitable for dancers with learning difficulty. The Boyd Education Centre and accommodation is fully accessible for wheelchair users, and there will be a team of Auslan interpreters available for Deaf artists.

Please visit Philip Channell's website for how to apply.


Image of three of Greg Sindel's Cartoon character for the cover of his new book

Studio A Launch New Brand at 2015 Sydney Contemporary Art Fair


Studio A (formally known as Studio ARTISTS) were super excited to launch their new brand at the 2015 Sydney Contemporary Art Fair. Hosted by Carriageworks, Sydney Contemporary describes itself as presenting ‘over 90 galleries from 13 countries, offering visitors access to cutting-edge art from some of the world’s most respected artists, as well as the opportunity to discover the next generation of emerging talent'.

Studio A artists Mathew Calandra and Greg Sindel each showcased a range of new work at the four-day event. Inspired by the classic 'NeverEnding Story' film, Calandra’s work ranged from soft sculpture to etching. Sindel’s work included screenprints, and a fresh of press graphic novel ‘Horrendous Myths’. 

Sydney Contemporary’s public program included a live comic reading by Sindel and live drawing by Calandra. Greg Sindel also featured work in the Volume Art Fair held at Artspace over the same weekend. To check more of Studio A artwork and events, or to order your very own ‘Horrendous Myth’ publication please the Studio A website.


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Heading West Forum

Image to two women smiling at Camera, Julie Barratt and Stephanie Brummell

 ‘Heading West’ is a region-to-region response to arts and disability development in regional NSW. It partners the success of the Accessible Arts' North Coast 'Creating Connections' program with the emerging New England Arts North West 'Enable Arts' program. 

As a community driven initiative Heading West needed input from relevant community members to help drive the project. 

To that end, a community forum was held in Armidale that was attended by 40 community representatives, artists with disability, council staff and arts and disability advocates. 

Please read the full article here on the Accessible Arts News section.

Delineate Grants

Delineate Grants Logo

Accessible Arts is excited to announce that it has again been successful in being able to offer the Delineate Grant Round funding in 2015-2016. 

This grant round will see six recipients funded over two years where they will receive $4000 in late 2015, and $4000 in 2016, to support and foster opportunities in the arts. 

Delineate is moving forward in supporting disability-led projects that build capacity, leadership skills, and artistic networks for artists with disability. 

We are looking forward to opening this new grant round in late October 2015, so stay tuned to this space.

Featured Artist

Headshot of Deaf Artist Stefan Kater

Artist Stefan Kater, is a 2015 Sulman finalist for his work 'A Black Diamond', and also represented in the Archibald in 1975. His work comprises life drawings, arts, sculpture, cartoons and photography. Currently working on an upcoming exhibition, his preferred medium is acrylics.

Stefan has ambition to be a world famous Deaf artist and is looking to attend the World Federation of the Deaf Conference in Paris in 2019. 

He greatly admires prolific artist Vincent Van Gogh, and will talk more about his experience as a Deaf artist as part of the arts + disability expo Cultural Program.

Stefan will present his artist talk on Saturday 19 September, Carriageworks, in the wi-fi lounge at 1.30pm.


Image of Map of Sydney Streets

BlindWiki Mapping the Unseen

Have you ever wondered how blind people, and people with low vision get around in Sydney? BlindWiki is a community-based smartphone app that gives a chance for these citizens to share their own experiences. 

Expect not only information on barriers and aids, but also stories of being blind or living with low vision in Sydney. With time, the app will build a nuanced overview of the cityscape, mapping experiences and opinions to create a collaborative cartography of the unseen.

Join artist Antoni Abad for the public launch of the blind.wiki website where sighted people can learn how to use the app on a tour of Sydney University’s Camperdown campus. Find full event details for BlindWiki at Art and About website.


Featured | Arts + Disability Videos


Screenshot of Joanna Agius auslan video

Newsletter features in Auslan by Joanna Agius. If you missed the Deaf Arts News last week, then you can still read about current opportunities in the Deaf and hard of hearing community by clicking through to the Deaf Arts e-flyer.

Screenshot of one Stefan Kater Interview

Joanna Agius, Deaf Arts Office, interviews artist Stefan Kater, 2015 Sulman Prize finalist.

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