Accessible Arts’ Western Sydney project is drawing to an end, but the work this project has inspired is by no means over.

Since 2007, the Western Sydney project has been working across eleven local council areas, building partnerships within the arts, with disability organisations and with local councils to ensure sustainable programs and practices.

A key objective of the project has been to ensure ongoing outcomes after the projects’ conclusion. Accessible Arts has worked closely with the major arts centres in the region to deliver a variety of programs and access initiatives, particularly over the last two years. In October 2010, this work was consolidated in a month long initiative, Plugged In, whereby all art centres across the region contributed to the event. The events popularity demonstrated the ongoing need for such programs.

Accessible Arts is confident that the arts centres will carry on the work achieved by the Western Sydney project, continueing to create opportunities in the arts for people with disability.

A number of other initiatives will also continue in the region. The development of the Penrith Disability Arts & Culture Network has been an initiative of the Sylvanvale Foundation, Penrith City Council and Accessible Arts. This network will continue to inspire and motivate the arts and disability sector to engage in community capacity building through the development of opportunities for people with disability to participate and experience the arts and cultural life.

An initiative at the Q Theatre in Penrith that responds to a need for practical exchanges between arts workers who work in the disability sector will also continue. The first Exchange It took place as part of the Plugged In program and was devised by Alison Richardson, Creative Programs coordinator, Accessible Arts and Katrina Douglas, Producer, Q Theatre. A resource has been developed from the day outlining ideas exchanged and proven creative processes for working with people with disability in the performing arts sector.

The main activities of the Western Sydney project have been documented on our blog and will remain as an online resource.

So this is farewell from the Accessible Arts’ Western Sydney team

Alison and Jen would like to thank all our partners and supporters over the years who have worked with us to raise awareness and make the arts more accessible and inclusive for people with disability.

In 2011 Alison Richardson will be starting a new role as the Creative Director of the Riverside Theatres’ performing arts program for people with a disability. Through her work at Accessible Arts, Alison had identified a need for a role to oversee and develop the WAPD program at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta. With Alison’s assistance, Riverside Theatres successfully secured three years worth of funding from Arts NSW to support the establishment of the role.

Jennifer Teo will continue to work for Accessible Arts as Web Coordinator, improving and expanding the organisations’ online presence, as well as provide specialist knowledge in the area of media arts.

stay in touch…

Whilst the Western Sydney project has come to an end this does not mean you have to lose contact with Accessible Arts. We are keen to hear from the arts and disability sector in Western Sydney and encourage news stories and contributions to the website. Please send your information to info@aarts.net.au or contact us on 02 9251 6499.

For staff contact details and further information visit the Accessible Arts website.

The First Flight Crew hit the town with three official gigs this week. The crew will be celebrating International Day of People with a Disability at Get DIS Party Started at the Revesby Workers Club, then performing at the Australia Council for the Arts on 3 December.

The crew are also appearing at Open Day at the Wharf this Sunday. Every year the arts companies resident in Walsh Bay’s Pier 4/5 (‘The Wharf’) throw open their doors to the public. Residents include Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian Theatre for Young People,  Accessible Arts, and more.

Your last chance this year to see the First Flight Crew, check ‘em!

Thursday 2 December 2010
Get DIS Party Started
Revesby Workers Club
2B Brett St, Revesby NSW 2212
1:00 – 3:00pm 
Bookings essential. RSVP, Free call 1800 893 044 or email companioncard@nds.org.au

Sunday 5 December 2010
Open Day at the Wharf
Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company
Level 1 of Pier 4/5
10:00am – 8:00pm
FFC perform at 2:00 – 2:30pm

Art and drama come together in a very joyous fashion every Tuesday at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, where people with mild to moderate intellectual and physical disabilities are undertaking a series of specially designed performance workshops.

Our classes are always filled with loud laughs that travel right through the gallery, creating a lively and colourful atmosphere. We work in a friendly and social environment while undertaking a good variety of stimulating and enjoyable exercises.

Performance in the Gallery is a series of fun, exciting workshops in movement and performance for people with mild to moderate intellectual and physical disabilities. Over each term we cover a wide range of skills including range of movement, coordination, voice/sound making, gesture and action, movement and stillness, shape making and performance making with both movement and text.

“Performance in the Gallery is active, fun and energetic. It gets students moving and using their creativity while challenging them to try new things. It’s also great for students to meet and socialise with new people.” Julia Edwards, Flintwood Disability Services Inc.

2011 DATES

• Term One: Tuesday 01 February – Tuesday 05 April (10 weeks)
• Term Two: Tuesday 03 May – Tuesday 28 June (9 weeks)
• Term Three: Tuesday 19 July – Tuesday 20 September (10 weeks)
• Term Four: Tuesday 11 October – Tuesday 13 December (10 weeks)

When: Tuesdays 10am – 12noon

Where: Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Deerubbin Centre (1st floor), 300 George Street, Windsor

Who: People with mild to moderate intellectual and physical disabilities

Cost: $10 per person per class

Contact: To register contact Katy Green, Workshop Coordinator, 0416 482 151 or gallery1@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

Website: Hawkesbury Regional Gallery

Access: Accessible venue, amenities & parking. More access information.

A bunch of very eager arts workers from all over Sydney gathered at the Q Theatre in Penrith to exchange ideas, thoughts, games and exercises for working with people with a disability in the performing arts sector.

As part of the Plugged In program, the day was instigated by Alison Richardson (Creative Programs Coordinator, Accessible Arts) and Katrina Douglas (Producer, Q Theatre) in response to the need for practical exchanges between arts workers who often face challenges alone and work in isolation. The day provided much inspiration, new ideas, exercises, discussion and connection.

A list of exercises have been compiled from the day. Download Exchange It workshop ideas (Word, 724KB)

Further Exchange It workshops are planned for 2011. For more information on how to get involved, contact Katrina Douglas on kdouglas@jspac.com.au or 02 4723 7610.

First Flight Crew are the face of the 2010 Don’t DIS myABILITY campaign.

They are on the cover of the Made You Look publication which also includes a feature story on the crew.

The Don’t DIS myABILITY campaign is a state government initiative in the lead up to International Day Of People With a Disability on December 3rd.

For all details on the events listed as part of IDPWD check out

www.dontdismyability.com.au

Accessible Arts would like to thank everyone who attended the Plugged In launch party on 5 October 2010 at Riverside Theatres. All the performances were terrific and everyone had a great time.

A big thanks to all the performers and our special guest Elvis! Thanks for your support and we hope to see you at more Plugged In events throughout October 2010.

If you attended the launch party, please assist us to evaluate the event by completing our 5-minute survey.

Photos from the Plugged In Launch Party

A free day for artists who work with people with disability in the performing arts to come together to exchange ideas and exercises in a practical way.

Bookings essential.

Date: Monday 18 October 2010

Time: 10:30-2:30pm

Cost: Free

Contact: Katrina Douglas on tel: 02 4723 7610 or kdouglas@jspac.com.au.

Access details:

• Accessible venue & toilets.
• Accessible parking available in Penrith City Council car park.

Open Program workshops

The Q Theatre runs workshops in performance for people with disability that operate during school terms. Bookings for 2011 are now open.
Contact James Fischer on 02 4723 7613 jfischer@jspac.com.au.

An exhibition in collaboration with the Benevolent Society created by people who experience mental illness and live in Western Sydney.

Dates: 10 September-14 October 2010

Cost: Free

Access details:

• Accessible venue, toilets and parking. Enter via Oxford St.

Free Art Making Workshops

Visual arts workshops for people with a disability on Fridays between 2-4pm. Bookings are now open for 2011. Contact: 02 9609 3993.

Connecting arts and disability across Western Sydney. 
Get in touch. Get connected to your local arts centre during October 2010.

Plugged In celebrates a month of inclusive arts events and access initiatives by Western Sydney arts centres thoughout October 2010.

Accessible Arts has been working with arts centres in Western Sydney to increase cultural activities, access and opportunities for people with disabilities living in the region. Plugged In highlights some of these achievements and also provides opportunities for people with disability to engage in arts activities such as drumming, clowning, paper sculpture and tile making.

Plugged In is encouraging the disability sector to connect with their local arts centre by participating in a workshop, attending an exhibition, or taking a guided tour.

Download

• Plugged In Program (PDF, 4.5MB)
• Plugged In Program (Word, 580KB)

School Holidays

All Things that Fly

When:

• 28 September – 1 October 2010
• 5 – 8 October 2010

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: $8 Adult, $5 Child/ Concession/ Senior and pensioner, $25 Family (2 adults + 2 children), Free admission for Powerhouse Members & children under 4. Additional charges apply for some holiday programs.

Booked Group visits

Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Bookings essential. Admission charges apply.

Contact: 02 9762 1300 or castlehill@phm.gov.au

Access details:

• Accessible toilets & parking.
• Companion card accepted.