AAA NewsletterIssue 18 - April 20051.0 ARTS ACCESS AUSTRALIA NETWORK NEWS1.1 Australia Council for the Arts restructure makes no mention of Disability – act now On 8 December 2004 the Australia Council for the Arts announced a major
restructure and to date information about the proposed new structure makes
no mention of disability as a priority, initiative, program or policy
area of the new organisational model. The silence on disability is more
than the restructure alone can explain as the Australia Council's last
Disability Action Plan expired in 2003. The Australia Council has a long
history of supporting people with disability in the arts so it's surprising
that disability appears to have been overlooked. As 2005 also marks ten
years since Council published its ground breaking 1995 Report on Arts
and Disability that has influenced our sector's work, Arts Access Australia
is calling for a review of Arts and Disability including an evaluation
of Council's previous Disability Action Plan. If you are concerned about
the lack of any Australia Council wide commitment to access for people
with disabilities and want to act please email Australia Council Chair
Mr David Gonski AO, care of the CEO Ms Jennifer Bott at j.bott@ozco.gov.au.
Please also CC your email to the Federal Arts Ministers Rod Kemp senator.rod.kemp@aph.gov.au
, Helen Coonan senator.coonan@aph.gov.au
and also to Gareth Wreford Arts Access Australia ed@artsaccessaustralia.org
Finally, for those of you in Australia, your local Member of Parliament
who can be found via http://www.aec.gov.au/esearch/main.htm.
For information on the restructure see; 1.2 Disability Participation Alliance on Welfare Reform Arts Access Australia has joined with a new alliance of disability and
welfare organisations calling for a positive program of reform to improve
payments and employment services for people with disabilities. See; 1.3 Making the Journey – arts and disability publication 2005 Arts Access Australia is currently developing a book for publication
in 2005 of arts and disability best practice examples from around Australia.
To join a mailing list for news of the publication release later in 2005
email; 1.4 East Timor – arts and disability project Arts Access Australia is, with funding from the Community Cultural Development
Board of the Australia Council, planning an arts and disability project
in East Timor for 2005. For more information about the projects development
and aims email; 1.5 Welcome Sancha Donald, new Executive Officer for Accessible Arts NSW Sancha Donald has been appointed Executive Officer of Accessible Arts
NSW. Sancha most recently worked as Executive Officer of Technical Aid
for the Disabled in NSW. For information on Accessible Arts see; 1.6 Arts Access VIC – Ethel Temby Award Winner Ruth Whittingham Ruth Whittingham, Artistic Program Manager, of Arts Access will travelling
to London. Ruth is particularly keen to hear about new project initiatives
and exchange information about the Victorian, Australian and international
arts and disability sector. Ruth is the recipient of the Department of
Human Services, Ethel Temby Study Tour Award.
2.0 AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND DISABILITY SECTOR NEWS2.1 Tax Ruling Carrying On A Business as a Professional ArtistThe National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has successfully
spearheaded a campaign for artists to get equal recognition by the Australian
Tax Office (ATO). NAVA Executive Officer Tamara Winikoff said. "The
ruling is not only of interest in Australia, but is being regarded as
a benchmark internationally". "This Ruling (TR 2005/1) recognises
that the intentions of people working professionally in the arts are to
be regarded with the same respect as any other form of business enterprise" 2.2 Senate Initiates Inquiry into Mental Health The Senate has appointed a Select committee to investigate provision
of mental health services in Australia, with attention to the adequacy
of current services and unmet need. The full terms of reference and information
on how to make a submission are available at; 2.3 ABS Report Prison Population Increases 40% The prisoner population in Australia has increased by more than 40 per
cent over the decade to June 2004, according to figures released by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Mental health and imprisonment
are strongly related as shown by an older NSW study. 2.4 Release of Missed Business Disability Guide to small business Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Sev Ozdowski, has
launched a new guide for small businesses on how to improve access and
services to their customers. 2.5 HREOC Inquiry into employment and disability The Inquiry is now calling for public submissions and aims to publish
its findings and recommendations in November 2005. For more information
see; 2.6 Report 10 Myths and Facts About The Disability Support Pension The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has released new research
about the Disability Support Pension in order to counter misinformation
in public debate. 2.7 ACROD - Asia Pacific Partnerships ACROD - the peak disability services organisation - has established
an Asia Pacific Partnership to develop relationships between disability
organisations in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. for more information
contact Margaret Gadd tel 08 8440 2255; 2.8 National Relay Service (NRS) The NRS is a 24-hour, 7 day a week telephone service that allows people
who are deaf or have a hearing or speech/communication impairment to make
their own telephone calls. People from the wider community can use an
ordinary telephone to return their calls. All conversations are relayed
in real time. For more information; 2.9 Scope – Living history project documents progress on equality A new report shows that despite a series of high-profile campaigns since
the first International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, people with
disabilities and their carers still face an uphill battle for equality.
3.0 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIESAustralia3.1 SBS TV screening of Ok Let'`s Talk About Me on 20 April 2005 Meet Eddie. He's a 17 year-old boy with Down's syndrome. He's stubborn
and charming, funny and sometimes temperamental. OK, Let's Talk About
Me! defies stereotypes of a person with Down's syndrome and explores,
implicitly the notion of choice and control in Eddie's life. The film
had its word premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival and will screen again
on SBS on April 20th 2005 at 7:30pm. 3.2 National Best Practice in Disability Conference This conference specifically focuses on Vision and Practice, highlighting
and celebrating the very best that disability services in Australia and
beyond have to offer. For more information; 3.3 VIC - Awakenings first steps weekend 3,4,5 June 2005 – registrations now open First steps is training is specifically designed to enhance the work
of artistic directors who were working collaboratively with people with
a disability to develop a performance for the Awakenings Festival. The
focus is how to work with people with a disability to ensure that they
have active choice and participation throughout the overall artistic direction
process and final product. 3.4 VIC - 2 new shows opening at Arts Project Gallery Northcote 19April - 14 May 2005 Alvaro Going Solo; a personal and inward journey through his images
and text using graphite, gouache, pen and pastel on paper. 3.5 NSW - A-Typical theatre launched Co-Artistic Directors Kirüna Stamell & Emma J Cooper have launched
Atypical Theatre Company. Atypical creates contemporary theatre and performance
that includes a repertoire of traditional plays and newly devised works.
We are a dynamic company that encourages an accessible arts practise,
by integrating artists with and without a disability. 3.6 NSW - Spectrum Cultural Ideas Festival for young people 13-14 April 2005 Spectrum is aimed at young people aged 15-25 from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds and will explore four main streams; cultural identity,
social policy, mental health and problem gambling, media and culture.
To find out more; 3.7 NSW - Creatability seminar on working with people with a disability 26 April 2005 Free seminar giving artists an opportunity to know more about community
cultural development projects working artistically with people with a
disability. For more information; International3.8 WHO Health and Disability photo contest – call for entries Invitation to participate in the WHO Photo Contest "Images of Health
and Disability 2005" Special Theme: Employment and Labour. Further
information on the call see; 3.9 Canada - No Borders: pARTners in HEALTHcare conference June 2005 Annual conference of Society for the Arts in Healthcare, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada, June 22-25, 2005. 3.10 USA - Axis Dance Integrated Dance Intensive 19-28 August 2005 This intensive workshop will feature sessions on contact improvisation,
site specific dance, technique, choreography and performance. Participants
in the course may be considered for part tiem positions with AXIS dance
company. For more information; 3.11 USA - Kennedy Center's Accessibility Conference Sep/Oct 2005 in Phoenix The 2005 conference will be held at The Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Arts and Mesa Arts Center on September 29th through October 1st, 2005.
Contact Beth Stoffmacher Technical Assistance Coordinator National Arts
and Disability Center 300 UCLA MP Ste. 3310 Los Angeles, CA 90095-6967 3.12 USA - Keller Foundation Seeks Entries for Overcoming Disability Anthology Deadline: June 1, 2005. The Helen Keller Foundation wants poetry or
prose of 3,000 words or fewer for anthology about overcoming a physical
or emotional disability. Contact; 3.13 USA - Audacity Magazine for People with a Disability calls for contributions The magazine tackles philosophical ideas such as euthanasia and abortion.
Not everything is so serious. There is always sports and theatre to lighten
up and relax the mind. Read about new plays and performances occurring
in Europe at; 3.14 USA – Sprout Film Festival 7 & 8 May 2005 An annual festival in New York City showcasing films by, for and about
people with developmental disabilities. 7 & 8 May 2005. 3.15 USA - Reel Life: Disability Film Festival October 2005 call for entries Reel Life are accepting submissions for short films (1-60 minutes) that
celebrate disabled peoples' history, culture, and daily experience. Films
will be chosen with deliberate intent to include films focusing on a wide
cross-section of impairments, cultures, and lifestyles choices. To find
out more go to: 3.16 Scotland - Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress August 2005 ISEC (Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress) 2005 3.17 UK - Digital Exposure showcase and opportunity Digital Exposure showcases the best in culturally diverse arts and artists
featuring artist profiles, audio and video clips, news updates and event
listings. To view the site and if you would like to submit a news item,
promote an arts event or recommend a link; 3.18 UK - The Showcase publishing digital media Community Media Association offer a service of publishing digital media.
3.19 UK - In the Frame Learning Disability Arts Conference The conference takes place at the Tate Modern art gallery in London
on 20 June 2005. 3.20 UK - Eyes of Desire 2 – call for written work Raymond Luczak is looking to edit a follow-up to his Deaf Gay and Lesbian
reader, Eyes of Desire. He is looking for stories, poems, essays,
photographs, and artwork in either English or American Sign Language.
Deadline is August 31, 2005. 3.21 UK - CandoCo Auditions and Foundation Course in Dance CandoCo Dance Company has announced auditions for dancers to join the
main company, creating and performing new work for touring. Deadline for
application is 11 April and auditions are 23 and 24 April.
4.0 NEW RESOURCESAustralia4.1 Free internet access for young people with disabilities CanDoNet, Australia's first community-owned Internet Service Provider,
is 4.2 New forum and publication on disability and diversity Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia (MDAA) has launched a Discussion
Forum on different ways to meet the needs of a diverse community. http://www.mdaa.org.au/BulletinBoard.aspx International4.3 Canada - Theatre Review special issue on Theatre and Disability The Canadian Theatre Review is one of the first professional theatre
journals in the world to dedicate an entire issue to the intersection
of theatre and disability. A complete description of the issue, and an
order form, can be found at: 4.4 USA – math and visual art teaching resource launchedVSA arts have launched a Lifetime Learning Systems education program designed to help students in grades five through eight improve their math skills through the arts. For more information about Let Your Style Take Shape, and to download a free copy of the teacher's guide, please visit http://www.vsarts.org. 4.5 UK - Jigsaw Theatre Company: The Big Picture DVD An educational DVD, which raises key issues around disability and inclusivity.
The DVD stemmed from the success of Face2Face, a hard-hitting
theatre production dealing with bullying. The Big Picture DVD is available
for £18 from: Jigsaw Theatre Company; 4.6 UK - Launch of Divided Experience DVD/CD ROM In 2003, young Disabled people from Trafford and Salford created a DVD/CD
Rom that explores the experiences of young Disabled people living in Greater
Manchester. This DVD is now for sale at a cost of £9.99. For more
information; 4.7 UK - Art Through Touch: Accessing the Built Environment publication >From an Art Through Touch seminar of the same name. Available in
standard print, large print, Braille, audio tape and electronically. Price
£5 including postage. To order a copy; 4.8 UK - Blind editor launches disability newsletter An award-winning blind training consultant launched an e-newspaper that
takes an honest look at disability. 4.9 UK - Research on theatre for blind and visually impaired people Access to theatre for blind and visually impaired people continues to
be under-developed and under-resourced. The Extant website gives a full
account of the research the company have undertaken; 4.10 UK - Chance to Dance CD-Rom Chance to Dance is an integrated dance group for disabled and able bodied
dancers, based in Portsmouth. To celebrate their tenth year they have
released an interactive CD -Rom which outlines their activities and methods.
If you would like to order please either send a cheque made payable to
Chance to Dance for £20 per c/o Horizon Resource Centre, Sundridge
Close, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3LP 4.11 UK - MAiLOUT magazine arts and health special issue MAiLThe April/May issue of MAiLOUT is an extended issue, developed with
the National Network for Arts and Health, devoted to arts in health looking
at projects and initiatives across the UK.
5.0 ARTS FEATURES AND NEWSAustralia5.1 Formation of National Arts and Culture Alliance (NACA) NACA is a national coalition of individuals, organisations, agencies
and community groups involved in what the Australia Council refers to
as "community cultural development, community arts, arts in a community
context, and community-based art". NACA has formed in recent months
to provide coordination at national level for community cultural development
sector responses to the current Council restructure process. The Alliance
has already developed a significant national membership. The Alliance
is currently developing a web presence; 5.2 TAS - Something about Mary online art Includes oil paintings, journals, published writing-stories, poetry,
songs, watercolours, art therapy and art therapy workshops and a trade
table, of publications, postcards and prints. 5.4 VIC - Awakenings arts and disability Festival wins Vichealth award Vic Health: Health Promotion through Community Participation winner
is Wimmera Uniting Care For its Awakenings Festival an annual, regional
arts festival which is committed to improving access to the arts for people
of all abilities. 5.5 VIC - Penguin Artists Penguin Artists are a group of artists who provide opportunities for
other artists with social disadvantage, in particular people with psychiatric
disabilities, to develop and promote their art forms, including painting,
sculpture, drawing, multimedia and film. To see their work and join the
mailing list; International5.6 NZ – First Community Dance Fellowship Established New Zealand's University of Otago has established what is believed to
be the first fellowship in community dance, the Caroline Plummer Dance
Fellowship. 5.7 Bangladesh - Lifting the curtains on disability film A new film hopes to make life easier for Bangladesh's disabled population. 5.8 USA - Disability World Magazine - arts and mediaCheck out the arts and media section of the online international periodical of disability news and views posted at: http://www.disabilityworld.org. 5.9 USA - Community Arts Network (CAN) Beyond Disability the Fe Fe Stories When was the last time you saw a positive (or even negative) image in
the media of a teenage girl with disabilities, asks Jennifer Roche in
a new CAN story. Rather than wait for a positive reflection, the Empowered
Fe Fes created their own video instead. 5.10 USA – News From the Arts and Healing Network The January issue of the online Arts & Healing Network newsletter
has interesting features about: A.R.T.(Artistic Realisation Technologies),
developer of tools and techniques enabling people with severe physical
challenges to create subtle, exacting works of art. 5.11 USA - Career Forum Sites Announced For four years, VSA arts has partnered with the National Endowment for
the Arts to fund statewide forums to address specific issues related to
careers in the arts for people with disabilities. For more information: 5.12 UK - British Museum accessible object database An on-line database featuring around 5,000 objects from the British
Museum‚s collection. The site has been designed so as to be fully
accessible to people using access technology. 5.13 UK - Holton Lee national disability arts collection and archive Holton Lee provides Disability Arts opportunities and events on a 350
acre estate on the shores of Poole Harbour, Dorset. Holton Lee is developing
the National Disability Arts Collection and Archive. For more information; 5.14 UK - Mat Fraser's revamped website Mat's revamped site gives a thought-provoking tour of the artistic life
of one of the most prolific disabled actors to break through the barriers
in the past 10 years. 5.15 UK - DV8's New Film- The Cost of Living DV8 Physical Theatre have created a new dance film, The Cost of
Living, featuring disabled dancer David Toole. The film has been
shown at International Film Festivals and received a number of prizes.
Click on this link to read a review of the work http://www.villagevoice.com/dance/0501,zimmer5,59750,14.html 5.16 UK - Open Up, Mental Health Media‚s anti-discrimination project Open Up brings people with experience of mental distress together to
lead the way in tackling discrimination. For more information 5.17 UK - Blindart Blindart is a charitable organisation celebrating art for, and by, the
visually impaired and challenging perceptions of artistic vision. For
more information; 5.18 UK - Stagetext Stagetext was established in 2000 by three deaf people to provide access
to the theatre for deaf and hard of hearing people through the use of
captioning. Their performance diary can be found at; 5.19 UK - Sounding Architecture project April – June 2005, The Serpentine Gallery, Art Through Touch and
Shape are working on an art project exploring the field of perception
and understanding of architectural space and the environment with blind
and visually impaired people. 5.20 UK - Shape Training Artist Network (STAN) STAN is a database of disabled and deaf artists from all over London
and other parts of the country. STAN members receive a monthly e-newsletter
detailing arts information and opportunities. 5.21 UK - Art + Power messages for change showcase Art and Power are a Bristol-based group of artists who are working together
in a range of arts mediums to create powerful messages for change. 5.22 UK – Can Art Reduce Your Blood Pressure?St Bartholomew's Hospital in London has come under attack from medical
professionals and politicians because of its decision to spend £250,000
on artworks for its new breast-cancer screening center. 6.0 JOBS6.1 Marketing Officer – RedHOT Arts Marketing Alice Springs The RedHOT Arts Marketing Officer is responsible for implementing and
maintaining a publicity and promotions program, which enhances public
knowledge and understanding of the arts in Central Australia. Position
description and selection criteria are available; Tel 08 8952 2392 or
email director@redhotarts.com.au
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