National Arts and Disability Strategy

The Council Minister’s Council (CMC) brings together arts and cultural ministers from Australia and New Zealand.  In February 2008, the CMC agreed to develop a National Arts and Disabililty Strategy which is about giving people with a disability a greater voice in the develoment of arts policy and practices.

Right now, a working group is gathering information to develop the strategy and you are invited to take part by sharing your experiences, your expectations and your ideas.   The CMC wants to hear from you about what works and what doesn’t.    By having your say you will be part of nationwide, Government approach which aims to increase access and participation in the arts for people with a disability.  And that’s good news for everyone.

Taking part is easy.  Go to the CMC website and read, see or listen to the discussion paper online

www.cmc.gov.au/working_groups/national_arts_and_disability_strategy_working_group

Your can email/fax or mail your submissions, but you must read the discussion paper to respond.

The CMC provides assistance to people with a  hearing or speech impairment and the discussion paper is available in: large print, Braille, CD, Auslan DVD.

Secretariat, Cultural Ministers Council
Arts Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 185 693
Fax: (+61) 02 6275 9663

Submissions close:   3 November 2008

 

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Artists with Disabilities Receive Trust Fund Money

The State Government is funding 13 artists with disabilities - and nine organisations – to help them pursue their creative endeavours, through the 2008 Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust.

Disability Minister Jay Weatherill announced the recipients of the grants today. Mr Weatherill said the trust was named in honour of the late Richard Llewellyn, who was a diligent supporter of the arts and advocated for universal access for people with disabilities across South Australia.

“The Trust combines Mr Llewellyn’s two passions – the arts and disability advocacy. It aims to encourage people with a disability and disability organisations to further their artistic interests and foster their creative talent,” Mr Weatherill said.

“People with a disability have a lot to contribute to every part of our community - including the arts – and these grants are an important part of supporting them.”

The Trust was established by the State Government two years ago, and this year $200,000 is being distributed between 22 individuals and organisations. This year, the 13 individuals to receive funding for projects ranging from theatre and visual arts to literature and music are:-

 Michael Doman, Port Pirie, $10,000 for a music project called the Dragon Tree project. 

Tony Doyle, Adelaide, $7,800 for a theatre project – The Professor and the Wizard of Wind.
Daniel Levy, Kensington, $7,000 for a music project and to create a professional demonstration CD.
Maxwell Magain, South Plympton, $9,527 for a jewellery workshop.
Ben Martin, Somerton Park, $5,572 to produce music CDs for release.
Gillian Mears, Mount Barker, $10,000 to complete a novel called ‘Foal’s Bread’.
Matthew Nolan, Frewville, $3,927 to run workshops about making music with a computer.
Colleen Sweeney, Northfield, $5,000 to assist with a poetry manuscript.
Jeanette Tierney, Magill, $4,211 to exhibit work at South Australian Living Artists 2008.
Bryan Tingey, Exeter, $7,000 to create work for exhibition at the 2009 Fringe Festival.
Mary Anne White, Golden Grove, $6,880 to record a CD – The Mary Anne White Album.
John Willanski, St Peters, $3,500 to develop an exhibition – Ink Rain Overflow.
Ben Adam Wimshurst, Torrensville, $7,000 for a musical performance group to record a CD.

A total of nine organisations received more than $110,000 of funding for projects covering theatre, literature, visual arts and dance and are as follows:-

Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association, $3,800 for a resident artist to capture user insights from the ARATA Biennial National Conference 2008.
- FEAST – Adelaide Lesbian and Gay Cultural Festival, $4,781 to support UK performer, Julie McNamara, as speaker, performer and co developer of a work in progress.
- The Lampshade Shop, $17,020 to develop a new script by Robert Moore, Costume Change.
- Take Up Thy Bed and Walk Project, $20,000 for a two-week creative dance and theatre project.
- No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability Inc, $10,550 for two theatre projects.
- Restless Dance Company, $16,400 to assist with Debut, a program of short dance performances.
- SA Writers Centre, $17,200 to employ a part time Writer-in-Residence to help writers with a disability.
- Tutti Ensemble Inc, $16,000 to assist with a new music theatre piece.
- Queer and Differently Abled, $5,000 to help with skill workshops.

 

 

 

 

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