Access Arts Inc® - The Key to Success in the Arts

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Emma Bennison - Executive Director

Emma Bennison has a broad range of experience in managing key arts and cultural projects in partnership with organisations and communities across Queensland, nationally and internationally.

Emma is a passionate advocate for artists experiencing disability and disadvantage and has made a significant contribution to the direction and culture of Access Arts since 2004.

In addition, Emma is a Sound Circles facilitator and the state-wide co-ordinator for the program. In 2007, Emma established Inclusion Fusion (IF), an A Capella quintet comprising Access Arts staff as a means of enabling staff to remain connected to their artistic practice whilst promoting the talents of professional artists with disabilities.

Emma is also a professional singer/songwriter and has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland. She performs with her husband in a piano/vocal duo and has released a CD containing original compositions and covers. Emma is also a composer, arranger and private vocal teacher and facilitates vocal workshops at Access Arts.

Angela Jaeschke - Administration Coordinator

Angela Jaeschke is the Administration Coordinator at Access Arts. She came to Access Arts in August 2004 as a student placement. Angela was tour manager of the Sound Circles tour to Japan in September 2005, taking 13 people to run Sound Circles workshops over 21 days at the NGO Village of World Expo, Aichi, Japan.

With a background in music, Angela plays the double bass in the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and was a member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra for a number of years. Angela has a degree in Social Science (Human Services) from QUT.

Nick Reilly - IT Administrator

Nick Reilly is the IT Administrator , responsible for building and maintaining all things IT at Access Arts. Nick came to Access Arts in 2002 as a volunteer, and became a staff member in 2004, first as Communications Officer, later graduating to IT Administrator. In this time, Nick has built new computers and upgraded the office server putting Access Arts on a par with current IT standards. Nick's skills in upgrading computers have become an important service that we can extend to members in Brisbane and regional communities in various ways.

Nick studied Korean, Russian and French at University, which has been important for international organisations visiting Access Arts. Nick has interests in music, was a drummer in a number of bands, and is currently studying for his Grade 5 Piano exam.

Jasmin Jacobson - Visual Arts Coordinator

Jasmin Jacobson has a background in Visual Arts and Education. After completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Jasmin worked in the TAFE system in Visual Arts and Disability programs for several years, before completing Post Graduate study in Education. Jasmin then taught and coordinated visual art programs in schools. As an artist herself, Jasmin has varied experience in community arts projects, teaching and curatorial work. Jasmin joined Access Arts in 2002 as a member and currently coordinates the Brisbane Outsider Artists’ Studio and Visual Arts Projects at Access Arts. She values working with an organisation that supports and respects people experiencing disabilities.

Sarah Strange - Visual Arts Assistant

Sarah is the studio assistant at the Brisbane Outsider Artists Studio. Sarah has a background in visual arts and has completed a Creative Industries Visual Arts degree and well as a Bachelor of Art History. Sarah came to Access Arts as a volunteer at Crossing Divides in Currumbin and continues to work as a practicing artist.

Jan Spinks - Finance Officer

Jan Spinks came to Access Arts looking for a new challenge, sharing the Finance Officer role for one day a week in 2004 and after learning the ropes began working two days a week in 2005.

Jan brings the experience gained in a number of diverse and interesting jobs to Access Arts, having worked as the accounts person in a suburban hardware shop, sold showbags at the capital city Royal Shows and many of the country shows around South East Queensland and also as a teacher.

In the future Jan is looking forward to joining the grey nomads and travelling around Australia at a leisurely pace, as well as having lots of fun with her grandchildren.

Julie Jones - Membership Services Officer

Julie came to Access Arts in September 2006 as a Volunteer after returning from 2 years of teaching in China, and was officially offered the Membership Services Officer position at Access Arts in January 2007. Julie has been involved in Creative Arts for many years; originally she owned a Costuming and Dressmaking business, and worked from home whilst her children were growing up. Julie also volunteered at their local schools, helping with their education and teaching Art, English and Maths, and has worked in all facets of the Hospitality industry, from being a bar attendant to working at Management level.

Julie is currently continuing with her studies in Office IT and is looking forward to workshops in the areas of costume making and designing props for Access Arts productions. She also enjoys working & developing relationships with the many different people she has come into contact with through Access Arts.

Marissa Ker - Professional Development Coordinator

Marissa contributes creativity, compassion and intelligence to her role as professional development coordinator. She is a committed advocate for artists experiencing disability or disadvantage and draws on her problem-solving and communication skills when working with artists who have professional aspirations. Her work is influenced by The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 27, which states that ‘Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts...’.

Marissa is able to empathise strongly with Access Arts members and other people in the community experiencing disability or disadvantage. She is very enthusiastic about engaging with regional and Indigenous members.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland, Marissa trained as a lawyer and gained broad exposure by working in a variety of areas in the legal sector. She then worked in the not-for-profit sector, before arriving at Access Arts. For Marissa making art means storytelling, performance, entertainment and creative writing. She vividly remembers attending a street theatre workshop organised by Access Arts in the early 1990s. As a consumer of the arts she is inspired by dance, music and visual art.

Jessica Townsend - Project Officer

Jessica Townsend is a creative and passionate arts worker with 10 years experience in the arts and cultural sector both locally and internationally. Jessica is a graduate of QUT Creative Industries majoring in Performance Studies and also completed a Minor in Indigenous Studies through cross institutional studies at JCU Cairns. Jessica has worked as a respite carer, behaviour support worker and coordinator of community programs for adults and children with disabilities in the Brisbane region and in the UK. Jessica has been a private Speech and Drama teacher for ten years and an enthusiastic Director of Children's theatre. Jessica is the Assistant Artistic Director of Butterfly Theatre Company who specialise in Black-light puppetry and physical theatre. Jessica has performed with Butterfly Theatre Company at many festivals around the world most recent being Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (UK) and the Woodford Folk Festival. Jessica loves a creative challenge and is excited about being a new member of the Access Arts Team.

Sam Tracy - Assistant Project Co-ordinator (Keepin It Real)

Sam is facilitator and advisor to the Hip Hop projects of Crossing Divides and Access Arts 'Keepin it Real' projects. Having been involved in the music/film industry for ten years Sam brings experience in Mc’ing, Dj’ing, live performance of multiple instruments, recording, filming, editing and music/video production. Having joined Access Arts to implement the 'Keepin it Real' project, Sam now continues the program at Currumbin helping to co-ordinate showcases and produce music/video to gain exposure for the participants.

Emma Galea - Project Assistant

Emma Galea is the Project Assistant at Access Arts. Emma came to Access Arts in early August 2008 as a student placement. She recently graduated with a degree in Social Science- Human Services at QUT. Emma is also an Indigenous and Deaf woman. She has been a Research Assistant at QUT for School of Maths, Science and Technology Education on programmes aimed at improving numeracy levels in Indigenous students. Emma has completed up to Level 8 Speech and Drama through Trinity College London.

Emma is a very passionate arts worker and loves working at Access Arts, and in particular working on Youth and Indigenous Projects. She also loves creating opportunities for all people and loves a challenge.