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Important Changes to Sound Circles™ in 2009
As you may know, Access Arts is going through a period of considerable change with our office space, office staff and in the delivery of our workshops and projects.
Sound Circles™ was set up by Access Arts in 2004, as an entry-level social workshop program to provide opportunities to members to participate in the arts for the first time. Sound Circles™ also provided training opportunities for staff, volunteers and members to develop skills and gain employment in facilitation and support worker roles.
Over the years, Sound Circles™ has experienced cycles of regular participant numbers, with some Terms having low numbers and other Terms being at capacity.
In recent times, this trend has been at the lower end of regular participant numbers, with member feedback telling us that Access Arts is running other workshops that hold more interest and have a greater skills development focus. This proves that Sound Circles™ has been very successful in creating an opportunity to participate in the arts. And it has been even more successful in growing more interest in other art forms and providing a pathway to participate in other Access Arts workshops.
From this feedback, we have decided that we will no longer run Sound Circles™ as part of Access Arts’ regular workshop program. This decision has not been taken lightly and we understand that it will be disappointing for our members who continue to attend regularly. For this reason, we encourage you to meet with Access Arts staff to complete a personalised plan to discuss your interests in the arts and to see what other opportunities are available in Access Arts’ regular multi-arts workshop programs. Please contact Julie or Angela on 3358 6200 to make an appointment.
Access Arts is holding a Come and Try Day on Saturday 18th April. There will be a range of new art forms available for you to try. This will be a great opportunity to have a go at some different art forms which will inform our program for Terms 3 and 4.
Sound Circles™ will continue to be offered as demonstration workshops to groups and at conferences and events. Sound Circles™ will also continue to run in other regions and in Brisbane for organisations which Access Arts will partner with.
If you know of a group who would be interested in partnering with Access Arts to run Sound Circles™ as part of their program, we would be happy to meet to discuss possible partnership options. This will be as a fee-for-service arrangement. With this letter we have enclosed our updated Sound Circles™ flier which you are welcome to distribute to anyone you think may have an interest in the program.
Sound Circles™ has been an important part of the lives of members and staff at Access Arts for the past four years. Regular Sound Circles™ Saturday workshops will conclude on the last day of Term 1 (21 March.) However, we would like to hold a celebration Sound Circle for all those who have been involved in the Brisbane program over the past four years. This will be held on Saturday, 9 May from 10:00-12:00 PM in the Stores Rehearsal Room. Light refreshments will be provided. Bring along your favourite Sound Circles™ story to share, or dress up in your favourite Sound Circles™ mask or costume.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Access Arts in this period of change. If you have any questions, please contact Sally Josephson or Emma Bennison on 3358 6200.
Sound Circles™
What it is:
Sound Circles™ is a workshop program developed with individuals and communities to start and continue their creative journey, re-invigorate their creativity or promote and strengthen group relationships. Sound and movement activities form the basis for exciting, spontaneous themed workshop experiences which open the door to a limitless array of artistic possibilities depending on the interests and aspirations of individuals or groups.
Benefits include:
- Creative: Explore and develop your creative potential in a fun and relaxed environment.
- Social: Meet new people with similar interests.
- Try before you buy: Sound Circles™ gives you the opportunity to try a range of arts activities and decide what interests you before you commit your time and money to a specific creative pursuit.
- Self Confidence: Sound Circles™ is a great way to build your confidence in a relaxed and supportive environment.
- Anyone can do it: Anyone can participate irrespective of experience or ability.
- Comprehensive: A facilitator skills development program covering everything you need to know about delivering Sound Circles™ in your community.
- Networking: Opportunity to meet other arts workers who share similar interests.
- Creative: The chance to re-connect with your art-form and re-invigorate your artistic passion.
- Help at your fingertips: The support of Access Arts to assist you in establishing Sound Circles™ and increasing your confidence as a facilitator.
- Flexible: Access to a program which provides the flexibility for you to share voice and movement activities with anyone, irrespective of experience or ability.
- Flexibility: A flexible program which can be delivered at your organization at a time which is convenient for you.
- Stress free: Access Arts qualified staff will work with you to plan the program and will provide the experienced arts workers and quality materials required
- Your needs will be met: Whether it be for example: Goal setting; Improving Communication; Enhancing creativity; Team building; Conflict resolution
- Anyone can do it: Sound Circles™ will be suitable for anyone, irrespective of artistic experience or ability.
- Cost effective: The benefits above, and many more will far outweigh the modest cost
Where it’s been used?
From its beginning in Brisbane in 2004, Sound Circles™ is growing rapidly with many communities now running weekly workshops across Queensland. For further information on workshops currently available, visit our 2008 Program or call 1300 663 651.
The award winning program received acclaim at the Sound Circles Japan Expo 2005, where 12 facilitators delivered a month long series of performances and workshops.
Sound Circles™ has featured in a wide range of events. These include Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane Festival, Art of Difference conference, Pacific Edge Conference, World Music Therapy Congress and Arts Queensland Regional Arts Development Fund State Conference.
In 2006, Sound Circles™ received a Disability Action Week award in the Education and the Arts category. In 2007-08 we conducted facilitator skills development programs in seven regions across Queensland and in NSW in partnership with Accessible Arts NSW.
What people are saying:
“I have truly enjoyed this experience. It has reopened my soul and inspired amazing ideas.”
“The great thing with Sound Circles™ is this program can be successful with the simplest of materials.”
“I’ve been re-set on my rightful path.”
“Everyone I spoke to from the conference gave us such positive feedback about the opportunity you all gave them. Most were inspired to consider and try something new. Access Arts Inc helped the delegates to experience something quite extraordinary when it could have been a 'very ordinary' conference experience.”
How you can get involved:
Workshops are flexible, so whether you need a one-off workshop or demonstration or an ongoing program, whatever the size and make-up of your group, we can work with you to develop a program which meets your needs.
For further information, please contact Emma Bennison or Sally Josephson on 3358 6200 or 1300 663 651 (local call cost.)
Access Arts Inc ® (Queensland) receives financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Disability Services Queensland
and Arts Queensland; from the Federal Government through the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and
Australia Council for the Arts; from the Westpac Foundation; and from the Mental Health Council of Australia.
