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

This month I would like to firstly provide you with a brief summary of results from our strategic planning survey and then with some details of our upcoming office relocation.

The strategic planning survey has now closed and once again I would like to sincerely thank all those who took the time to respond. 41 people completed the survey. A brief summary of results is below for your information.

63% were members, 12% were previously members but their membership has lapsed, 12% would like to join and 8% were not interested in joining at this stage. Only two responses were received from regional Queensland.

The major barriers to participation in Access Arts programs were transport and the cost of getting there. Workshops held at times which did not suit members, and the costs of activities were also significant barriers. Most respondents want Access Arts to be a direct deliverer of services whilst also providing referral to other arts and cultural organisations and programs. Most felt that all services relating to professional development of artists would be of equal importance, while mentoring and forums rated as most useful. In terms of how Access Arts could best assist arts and cultural organisations to be more inclusive, disability awareness training programs and information on best practice were considered most useful.

Please feel free to provide feedback on our programs and services at any time, (there’s no need to wait for a survey) as it helps us to meet your needs.

This month we have been preparing for our move to Queensland Arts Council at the end of March. As mentioned previously, we are very excited about the opportunities which our co-location with Queensland Arts Council will offer, not only in terms of the physical space, but also the potential for creative partnerships between the two organisations. We would particularly like to thank John Burkett and the Rotary Club of Fortitude Valley for linking us with Queensland Arts Council. We are also very grateful to Arthur Frame, Queensland Arts Council CEO and his staff for so generously giving their time to assist us and answer our never-ending questions.

Some details on the space:

Address: 8 Lochaber Street, Dutton Park
110m² of office space
Shared kitchen facilities with Queensland Arts Council
Wheelchair accessible space and toilet facilities
Rehearsal space available for hire, (venue for Access Arts’ AGM on 27 March.)
We hope to have provision for a small, private meeting room to improve confidentiality for members.
500 metres from Dutton Park and Park Road train stations.
3 minutes walk to our visual arts studio at SWARA.

The move is scheduled to take place on 29-30 March, so the office will be closed during the week of 29 March-2 April which includes Good Friday. We have been advised that our phone system could be off-line for up to two weeks, although this is unlikely. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and hope that normal services can resume as soon as possible. During the office closure, you can contact staff on their mobiles with any urgent queries or leave us a message and we will get back to you. You are also welcome to contact us via email.

If you are visiting the new office space and require assistance to get from the train station or bus stop, please call us a few days in advance and we will organise for a staff member or volunteer to assist you. If you need public transport information, visit www.translink.com.au. We look forward to welcoming you to the new space and hope that it will meet your needs.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of Queensland who announced this week that the Queensland Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs, Annastacia Palaszczuk approved $120,000 in funding over the next two years to strengthen and develop the network. Supported by Access Arts and Queenslanders with Disabilities Network, QDN, the network’s mission is to provide a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing disability regarding issues which affect them.

- Emma Bennison (Executive Director)

Professional Development Update

Developing Your Creative Practice

Q: Why is it important for musicians to attend concerts? For writers to read? For visual artists to visit galleries? For actors to go to plays?

A: To gain exposure to their art form – to be inspired by and learn from the work others are doing.

When thinking about the development of your creative practice, consider what you are doing to gain exposure to your art form. This aspect of artistic professional development is very important but often overlooked. If you require assistance to gain exposure to your art form or would like to share stories of your experiences in gaining exposure to your art form, please contact the Professional Development Coordinator by email marissa@accessarts.org.au, telephone 07 3358 6200 or 1300 663 651 (local call cost).

Literacy and Numeracy

Would you like to improve your literacy and numeracy through art? Then the Art Skills Course offered at Southbank Institute of Technology may interest you. This part-time course is offered for 3 half-days per week over 20 weeks. As described on Southbank Institute of Technology’s website:

Use your passion for creativity to assist in improving your overall literacy and numeracy levels. Discover an easier way to train yourself up for entry-level roles in a variety of workplaces, in a way that focuses on your artistic strengths. Its the perfect course to draw your skills to the attention of others in the creative arts community.

The program is open only to disadvantaged people including people with a disability, over the age of 16 years and not attending school. The next intake is in July and there is no program fee for students with a disability. Contact the program coordinator, Deborah Fynes at Southbank Institute of Technology on 07 3244 5645 for more information.

Using Technology

Do you use technology in your creative practice, to produce art or to overcome disability or disadvantage? If so, Access Arts would like to hear about your experiences. You are encouraged to email them to marissa@accessarts.org.au.

Nomination List For 2010 Management Committee

(in Alphabetical Order)

Nominee	Position	Accepted	Nominator	Seconder
Oddur Augustsson	Ordinary Member	Accepted	Victoria Lister	Oddur Augustsson
Cate Farrar	Ordinary Member	Accepted	Cate Farrar	Victoria Lister
Evan Jones	Ordinary Member	Accepted	Evan Jones	Victoria Lister
Victoria Lister	President	Accepted	Victoria Lister	Paul Turnbull
Susan Middleditch	Treasurer	Accepted	Victoria Lister	Oddur Augustsson
Doug Ranie	Secretary	Accepted	Doug Ranie	Victoria Lister
Peta Schaffer	Vice President	Accepted	Victoria Lister	Oddur Augustsson

Access Arts Inc ABN: 82 066 160 761

Annual General Meeting
Saturday 27th March 2010 10:30am – 12:30pm
Rehearsal Room, Qld Arts Council, 8 Lochaber St, Dutton Park

Please RSVP for Access Arts’ AGM by Friday 19th March on 3358 6200, 1300 663 651 (local call cost for regional members), or info@accessarts.org.au.

Please make sure you are a current financial member of Access Arts prior to the AGM.

How to vote at AAI’s Annual General Meeting if you are a current financial member but can’t get to the meeting.

Would you like to vote at Access Arts’ AGM but are otherwise occupied on 27th March at 10:30am? It’s as easy as contacting Access Arts, and requesting a postal vote form.

You can contact us on 07 3358 6200, 1300 663 651 (local call for regional members) or email: info@accessarts.org.au.

Be quick, as all postal votes must be received by Access Arts by 5pm on Friday 19th March.

BOA Report

BOA studio members recently visited the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at the Gallery of Modern Art, GOMA, on Tuesday 23 February. This year the exhibition showcases a wide range of works from Asia and the Pacific and has expanded to include artists from West Asia. The works of over 100 artists are featured in this year’s exhibition, with many artists being represented in the Asia Pacific Triennial (APT) for the first time. In contrast to previous years, this year the exhibition also features works from artists from a number of countries not previously represented in APT and these include Turkey, Iran, Tibet, North Korea (DPRK) as well as countries from the Mekong region such as Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma).

The group also viewed a range of exhibitions on show at the QLD Art Gallery, including the Lawrence Daws Artist’s Choice exhibition. This exhibition commences the series and the display includes works by a range of artists, including Whiteley and Fairweather, who have influenced Daws in his own work. The exhibition is showing until 7 March 2010 at the Queensland Art Gallery. The BOA group also viewed the collections of Australian Art and European masters from the 20th Century.

The Asia Pacific Triennial is showing at GoMA until 5th April 2010.

Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Street address Stanley Place, South Bank, Queensland

Callout for Artists

Artists are invited to submit original works of art into the following exhibitions:

Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2010

The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is proving its staying power and commitment to contemporary Australian artists. Entering its fifth consecutive year, the Prize has achieved national acclaim for its annual representation of contemporary Australian art.

With applications now open, this is your opportunity to be one of the chosen forty finalists and be in the running to receive the $20,000 cash and art residency prize.

The prize is exhibited at the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Queensland which is also celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. This 2D art award attracts a dynamic range of mediums and artists. Past winners include Shane Pickett, Tony Albert, Scott Redford and Peter Hudson.

PRIZE: This is a 2D acquisitive art award where the winner receives $15,000 plus a 4 week residency at Arley Farm in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland valued at $5,000.

JUDGE: Well known national art critic and writer John McDonald

COST: $25 per artist

DEADLINE: Applications close 31 March 2010

EXHIBITION: 18 August – 3 October

For more information visit www.scap.org.au

Lethbridge Gallery - 10000 Small-Scale Art Award

136 Latrobe Tce, Paddington, Brisbane
Phone: 07 3369 4790

Key dates
Entries close – 23 April 2010
Finalists announced – 3 May 2010
Winner Announced - 22 May 2010
Exhibition dates - 22 May 2010 to the 5 June 2010

Please visit the website to download an entry form. www.brettlethbridge.com.

What's On

Parent and Carer Living Allowance

Hello everyone

We would like your comments on this draft policy on a universal parent and carer living allowance.

http://www.civilsociety.org.au/PandC/Policy02.htm.

It is intended to cover parents caring for young children, or sons and daughters with a disability or a mental or chronic illness, or frail elderly family members. Everyone in this situation knows that their role in society is not valued as much as that of a person in the paid workforce.

Our policy would abolish tax concessions in housing and superannuation which favour high income earners and property developers, saving $53 billion and $24 billion respectively for annual redirection into a Parent and Carer Living Allowance set at the minimum wage figure of $544 per week.

This policy is a potential cornerstone for a political movement of parents and families, with the federal election coming up this year and state elections in most states.

Let me know what you think.

Best wishes

Lena Bailey for the Convening Group
info@civilsociety.org.au.

Junction 2010 Regional Arts Australia National Conference

Junction 2010, the seventh biennial Regional Arts Australia national conference, presented in partnership with Tasmanian Regional Arts and the host community Launceston, is set to unleash an explosion of ideas and creativity.

If you are involved in the arts or interested in the arts in regional Australia then you have come to the right place!

Taking place in the beautiful city of Launceston, Tasmania from August 26–29, Junction 2010 delegates will engage in a stimulating and thought-provoking conference program and arts festival that celebrates, connects and challenges.

Join us as at the Junction as we reconsider and re-imagine the future!

For more information, or to subscribe to the newsletter: www.junction2010.com.au.

Sugar Cane Ball

Would you like to be a part of the Blue Roo Theatre Company’s performance of the ‘Sugar Cane Ball’?

If you haven’t heard the Drama Group at HAND (The Blue Roo Theatre Company) has been entertaining and performing to audiences across Brisbane!

You don’t have to have any experience to join, just be willing to have fun and learn new skills from our artistic director Clark Crystal.

The group will be meeting each Thursday at the La Valla Centre.

Rehearsals starting: 18/3/2010 from 9.00 am - 3.00 pm.

The La Valla Centre is at:
58 Fernberg Road
Paddington.

Please contact us if you need assistance with transport.

(Saturday rehearsals will also take place closer to the performance date.)

The ‘Sugar Cane Ball’ performance will be at the Judith Wright Centre 1.00 pm on Thursday 14th and 7.30 pm Friday 15th and Saturday 16th of October 2010.

If you don’t want to miss out on this excellent opportunity or would like more information please contact Hayley Wills on 3355 2250 or Karen Martin on 3856 0281 as soon as you can!

Reading and Writing Group

I thought to myself “I have never learned to read and write before so why would I be able to now?’…..but it opened up a whole new world.”

A Place To Belong coordinates a Reading and Writing Group for people who want to develop their literacy, numeracy, computer or life skills. Some people with mental health challenges or learning difficulties cannot access mainstream educational sources such as TAFE and vocational training. This group is aimed at meeting their needs. We work with students to increase their opportunities for participation and belonging in the community.

People are encouraged to pursue their own learning goals. Some of the goals of present students include:

“I want to learn to count and use money and get change so that I won’t be ripped off.”

“I want to learn to write my name.”

“I want to learn to use the Referdex so I can help my Dad navigate.”

“I want to learn maths and numbers to help me at work.”

“It means a lot to me to be able to write my story and to improve my writing and computer skills.”

There are two groups, one meets on Monday and the other on Tuesday.

If you would like more information call Penny or Carmel on 3217-2522 or email penny@aplacetobelong.org.au.

Harmony Place

Come join us in learning about Well-Being Program and take part in a FREE yoga session (Childcare available)

At the Community Place
84 Kedron Park Rd Wooloowin
Saturday, 13th March
2:00pm-4:00pm

To book in please call The Community Place on 3857 1152.

Wear comfortable clothing for yoga

For more information please call:
Shidan at Harmony Place on 3848 1600 or
Kathleen at The Community Place on 3857 1152

Access Arts welcomes your feedback at any time on our events, workshops, newsletters, website or anything else. Your feedback can be anonymous - we have a suggestions box in the office and at the workshops.

You can also send your feedback by post, email or by phone.

All of Access Arts’ policies and procedures are available on our website: http://www.accessarts.org.au/quality_assurance.htm.

Access Arts Logo

Access Arts Inc (Queensland)
Ph: 07 3358 6200
Fax: 07 3358 6211
Local Call Cost: 1300 663 651
Level 1 Stores Building
119 Lamington St
PO Box 1034
New Farm QLD 4005
Web: www.accessarts.org.au
Email: info@accessarts.org.au