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

Access Arts has a commitment to the acknowledgement, reconciliation and inclusive engagement of all people experiencing disability and disadvantage. We welcome all members to participate in our multi-arts program and invite Indigenous and multicultural communities to partner with us in the delivery of workshops and projects. Below are the key projects and programs Access Arts is currently delivering that may be of interest to Indigenous communities, individuals and organisations. In addition to these, Access Arts also provides arts and cultural support to Indigenous members and groups on an ‘as needed’ basis. Access Arts is funded for Indigenous projects with arts and health outcomes by the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Disability Action Week Family Gathering

Saturday September 13th 2008

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, their family and friends are invited to join the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of QLD in celebrating Disability Action Week 2008.

When: Saturday 13th September 2008, 1-4:30pm

Where: Talking Circle of Kuril Dhagun (Indigenous Knowledge Centre), State Library of Queensland

Cost: Free!

Transport: Catch a train to South Brisbane station or a bus to the Cultural Centre (walking distance to venue)

Parking available under the State Library.

FREE performance by dancers from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts!

FREE lunch and refreshments!

FREE art activities for kids and adults!

Find out more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of QLD

Please let us know you’re coming (for catering purposes) by contacting Sally Josephson at Access Arts on 3358 6200 or by email.

Keepin It Real Cross Cultural Program

‘Keepin it Real’ is a cross cultural creative program for young people aged 16- 30 years, based at the Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm. With a particular focus on the professional skills development of young people from Indigenous backgrounds, this program focuses on the various art forms of the modern Australian hip hop culture. It also provides professional development, employment and performance opportunities for the young people involved.

Watch the Keepin It Real Demo on YouTube

Project Aims to develop:

• A professional skills development and mentoring program for 8 young people including those from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds who wish to gain employment in the entertainment, arts and cultural sectors.
• Community hip hop workshops open to all young people in the community.
• Employment opportunities for young arts workers in workshop facilitation, performance and community development in wider community contexts.
• Leadership skills for young people through the establishment of a project steering committee open to proactive young people wishing to also develop skills in group work, grant writing, administration and event/project management.
• Role modelling by young arts workers for other younger people in the community through school workshop programs.
• A sustainable annual youth hip hop and cultural event at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
• Strong partnerships with community groups and organisations in order to ensure the sustainability of the project and to broaden opportunities for young people in the project.

Continuous Quality Improvement Project (Indigenous communities)

Through project funding from the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Access Arts is currently delivering a project aimed at improving processes and structures around service access, engagement and delivery. Consultations and program evaluations with up to 6 identified Indigenous communities or groups will take place in order to improve and advance service delivery to Indigenous individuals and communities. These consultations will inform the development of an Indigenous Strategic Plan and Policy.

As part of this project, Access Arts office, workshop and project staff and volunteers will receive ongoing cultural awareness training to ensure they have the appropriate skills to engage with a range of communities.

Estimated project completion date: January 2009 (Please note: The process of continuous improvement itself is an ongoing process that Access Arts employs to ensure responsive and quality service delivery and projects.)

Access Arts Cultural Wellbeing Survey

Access Arts is keen to hear from organisations and groups working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, groups and/or families experiencing disadvantage or disability to find out if there are service gaps in targeted arts and cultural programs in urban and regional communities.

Access Arts delivers a range of Professional Arts and Cultural services to Queensland communities with an emphasis on those communities, groups and individuals who experience disability and disadvantage. Access Arts has collaborated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and communities to deliver developmental programs geared towards cultural wellbeing and inclusion.

We have developed a simple online survey comprised of 10 questions. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will help to design new programs and create new opportunities across Queensland. Please click on the following link to go straight to the survey:

Access Arts Cultural Wellbeing Survey Link

Professional Development for Emerging Indigenous Artists, Arts and Cultural Workers

Access Arts proactively supports the professional skills development and employment of artists from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. To discuss ways Access Arts can work with you to further your career in the arts and cultural sectors, please contact Sally Josephson at Access Arts on 3358 6200, (1300 663 651 for regional callers) or by email.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of Queensland (ATSIDNQ)

The Network is a small group of Indigenous people that have taken on the role of a steering committee having come together with invited others to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network for their people that can be accessed anywhere in Queensland. They have begun this journey because they share a passion to address the impact of disability and associated issues that affect their people and their culture.

Access Arts provides equipment and transport support for steering committee members in order to enable them to fulfil their committee member duties and further the development of the Network. Access Arts also provides secretarial support during steering committee meetings. Access Arts has enlisted the advice of the ATSIDNQ steering committee who acts as our Indigenous Advisory.

The Network also receives significant support from the Queenslanders with Disability Network Inc (QDN). The QDN network model, along with the regular advice and assistance the steering committee receives from QDN staff, has greatly assisted in the development of the Network. QDN also provides a meeting place for the steering committee along with ongoing catering and equipment support for committee meetings.

Network Aims

• Share their awareness of the culturally specific needs that exist, and how current service gaps can be overcome.
• Assist in the development of new knowledge and approaches that are culturally appropriate.
• Develop better, more effective protocols and processes that will allow people to engage and express their concerns freely, so they can assist them to utilise and have access to the benefits that are available.
• Raise awareness that life is more than primary health care and that people who live with disability would benefit greatly by not being removed from their families to be cared for by agencies with little knowledge or understanding of who we are and what our concerns are. Support will be provided on a number of levels - to individuals, their families and communities, non-Indigenous and Indigenous agencies and government (on a policy development, systemic change level).
• Promote that Indigenous people with a disability not only have their needs met, but have their human rights and spirituality respected in culturally appropriate ways.
• Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of individuals, communities, agencies and government bodies which lead to the betterment of the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disabilities.

In 2008-2009, the Network will hold a state-wide Network Development Conference in Cairns and employ a Network Development Worker.

For more information on the Network, please contact a steering committee member:

Willie Prince - email

Alan Parsons - email

Reg Stuart - email

For further information on Access Arts’ Indigenous projects, or to discuss ways we could work in partnership together, please contact Sally Josephson, Project Coordinator, on 3358 6200, (1300 663 651 for regional callers) or by email.