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[Banner credit: Daniel Monks in Screenability film ‘Pulse’] 


May 2017 Newsletter


Welcome to the Accessible Arts newsletter for May 2017.

We are pleased to present the latest in arts and disability news, with a state, national and international focus.


Image of illuminated Opera House

The Opera House illuminated during Vivid Light

Vivid Sydney – an event for everyone

Sydney's famous festival of light, music and ideas is less that two weeks away! The awe-inspiring creative program spans for 23 days from Friday 26 May to 17 June 2017. Read the access and audio guide information so that you can get the most from your visit. 

Vivid Sydney is supporting a talk with three recent Winston Churchill Fellows on Wednesday 7 June, about around what needs to change in order to develop within the arts and disability sector. Find out more and get your ticket.


Disability Awareness Training - 9 June

accessible arts access banner

AARTs access logo

Our training sessions offer practical and innovative solutions to help increase your confidence in engaging effectively with people with disability. They are for anyone interested in arts and disability, from managers, policy makers, and frontline staff to small businesses and creative practitioners. 

The next session is on Friday 9 June 10am - 1pm at the Arts Exchange Building in the Rocks. Find out more and contact our Operations Manager, Kay Richardson by Wednesday 31 May.

We also run bespoke training and consulting services to fit your needs. 


Sydney Film Festival’s Screenability series

Photo of Aurora Fearnley, Director of short film Struck

Aurora Fearnley, Director of short film Struck

This year the Sydney Film Festival (Wednesday 7 – Sunday 18 June 2017) presents Screenability - six films made by screen artists with disability.

We interviewed two of the screen artists for this newsletter.

“Finally a light is being shone onto disability filmmaking, which is so original, fresh and inventive! It’s time for disability filmmakers and narratives to enter the mainstream.”
  - Aurora Fearnley, Director of Struck. Read the full interview with Aurora and buy your ticket to see Struck. 

“When I was 11 years old, I became physically disabled – initially quadriplegic and then ultimately hemiplegic. 

"My body no longer felt like my own, and people’s interactions with me changed. Because of this, I’ve always been fascinated by how much our bodies shape who we are, and who would we be if we had a different body.” 
- Daniel Monk on his motivation for writing Pulse, which he also stars in. Read the full interview with Daniel and buy your ticket to see Pulse. 


photo of Daniel Monks, writer of and actor in Pulse

Daniel Monks, writer of and actor in Pulse


Sydney Auslan Ensemble

Riona Tindal, the new Deaf Arts Officer at Accessible Arts, is keeping busy in her role running the Deaf Arts Network (DAN). The network is currently collaborating with the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, Australia’s largest choral organisation. Together they are creating a signing choir called Sydney Auslan Ensemble which will perform Elijah Chorus Oz in Auslan.

Riona explains: "The Sydney Auslan Ensemble has several deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people, they all have two things in common: Their passion for deaf culture and Auslan - Australian sign language. The choir will consist of 750 singers from all over Australia and 17 Auslan choisters, all performing Elijah Chorus Oz. The Auslan translation of the Elijah Chorus Oz music will be in its own grammar and context but will reflect the scores - it's going to be incredible!"

The group was formed in response to the Sydney Philharmonia Choir's performance of Handel's Messiah alongside a choir using sign language last year.

You can find out more about the Auslan Ensemble by contacting Riona, and stay up-to-date with our Deaf Arts News by joining the Deaf Arts Facebook Group.


Events and Opportunities | Submit to Accessible Arts What's On


Image of a woman standing in front of a bright artwork

Image courtesy 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace

SAMAG seminar 'Maximising Your Audience'

Don’t miss SAMAG's upcoming seminar, 'Maximising Your Audience: Making Your Work Accessible to Everyone' on Monday 29 May at the Australia Council for the Arts.

The following panellists will share the ways in which they’ve made their programs accessible and what the outcomes - and challenges - have been along the way.

The talk will be audio described and Auslan interpreted.Get your tickets now!


Audio described performance of Mountain

Image of Pacific Rim conference logo

Mountain

The Australian Chamber Orchestra presents ‘Mountain’ – an epic cinematic and musical collaboration between Richard Tognetti Musical Director & Composer, ACO and BAFTA-nominated Sherpa director, Jennifer Peedom.

An audio described performance is being performed on Monday 12 June at the Sydney Opera House, with tickets just $25 (usually $149) available to patrons who are blind or have low vision and their companion only.

To purchase tickets and secure a headset for this performance contact Dean Watson, ACO Access Manager.

Proposals for international conference

image of a mountain

Pacific Rim conference logo

The annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity takes place from Monday 9 - Wednesday 11 October 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1000 delegates are expected at what is considered by to be one of the most ‘diverse gatherings’ in the world. Submissions for workshops and presentations are now being sought - what would you like to see discussed?


Have your say with Create NSW!

image of terry riley's performance

Create NSW logo

Over the next few weeks Create NSW will be on the road delivering workshops, panel discussions, and meeting with artists and art organisations.

Each event will be tailored to address particular opportunities or challenges faced by an individual community and their needs, and will be anything from a one-on-one chat to a networking barbecue.

Partners involved include Regional Arts NSW, National Association for Visual Arts (NAVA), the Live Music Office, Ausdance NSW, Australia Council, Music NSW, and Firstdraft. Find out more and book your session

Free arts programme for 17 - 35 year-olds

image of a group of people doing an art activity

Arts photo

Discover is a free, 12 week arts and cultural program run by Front Up and led by Western Sydney artists Daniel Kojta and George Tillianakis. The program is for creative people aged 17-35 with disability or the experience of mental health concerns. 

Participants will have the opportunity to explore various art practices, work on your skill set within a professional arts environment, whilst focusing on building self-confidence as an artist. 

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More events - don't miss!

What?

The Arts: Engaging with Disability

Held by The University of Newcastle, this event aims to connect people with disability, mental health issues and their carers with arts-based organisations and activities. 

When?

Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 June 2017

Where?

The Conservatorium,Corner of Auckland and Laman Streets Newcastle, NSW 2300
Find out more and sign up

What?

Minutes to Memories, The Studio ARTES mid-year performance variety show! Dance, stories, stories, skits and more.

When?

Friday 26 May 2017 for matinee and evening performances.

Where?

Hornsby RSL Showroom, 4 High St, Hornsby NSW 2077
Get your ticket


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