About Arts Access Victoria

OUR VISION

People with a disability creating art, experiencing art and working in the arts.

WHAT WE DO

Arts Access Victoria is a disability arts organisation providing access, participation, engagement and professional development in the arts and cultural life across Victoria for people with a disability.

With a focus on contemporary arts projects, Arts Access Victoria offers a range of events, programs and opportunities for people with a disability to explore different art mediums, develop skills and create new work.

Programs include the acclaimed The Other Film Festival (OFF), Australia’s only international disability film festival, and Deaf Arts Network (DAN), an arts network for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Arts Access Victoria also provides training, resources, mentorships, advice and the EASE Ticket Service for people with a disability.

Arts Access Victoria works in partnership with the arts and cultural sector, community organisations and government, so that all Victorians can access the arts. We often work in partnership with community organisations to establish independent locally managed arts projects.

A VISUAL SNAPSHOT

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OUR PROGRAMS

ARTS PROGRAM

Arts Access Victoria runs dynamic arts projects offering people with a disability the opportunity to create and celebrate art. Participants work alongside professional artists exploring a range of mediums such as painting, sculpture, animation, costume & set design, print-making, puppetry, theatre and dance.

All programs aim to be ‘participant-driven’, that is, each participant has a say in the artistic direction of the program.

Regular programs include:

ARTS ACCESS ART CLASSES – a visual arts and music program for adults with a mental health issue living in Melbourne’s Southern Region

ART DAY SOUTH - a visual and performing arts program for adults with an intellectual disability, based in Dingley.

GET OUT! - a visual and performing arts program based in the Frankston area, for adults with an intellectual disability, physical disability or acquired brain injury.

WAY OUT WEST - visual and performing arts program for adults with an intellectual disability, physical disability or acquired brain injury living in the West or North region of Melbourne.

All programs are facilitated by practising contemporary artists and are supported by qualified disability workers.

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DEAF ARTS NETWORK (DAN)

Deaf Arts Network coordinates Deaf Can Dance, a group of deaf and hard of hearing dancers who originally came together through their shared interest in dance. Lead by Deaf Arts Network’s Arts Development Officer Ross Onley-Zerkel, Deaf Can Dance have since gone on to create the unique and award-winning dance theatre piece Sound of Silence, which was performed to sell out audiences at the 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival. The troupe are now in constant demand to perform at various cultural events around Australia.

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THE OTHER FILM FESTIVAL (OFF)

Since its inception in 2004, the biennial The Other Film Festival (OFF) has been renowned for contemporary cinema concerned with the lived experience of people with a disability and people who are deaf. As Australia’s only international disability film festival, OFF has earned a reputation for screening an international program of films that have entertained, challenged and moved audiences. In 2008, the Festival enjoyed record attendances and is working towards building audience development and engagement for the 2010 Festival.

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ACCESSING THE ARTS

Arts Access Victoria plays an important advocacy role, conducting research into the requirements of the disability community, as well as providing advice and leadership in policy development. Our Access Program can also assist you with developing a tailored Disability Action Plan for your organization or community group.

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INCLUSIVE ARTS TRAINING

Arts Access Victoria provides Inclusive Arts Training to meet the specific needs of people who work in the arts. We provide training to assist Artists and people who work in the arts industry to facilitate inclusive creative arts practices for people with a disability and to gain a better understanding of how people with a disability participate in cultural activities in Victoria.

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CUSTOMISED TRAINING

Arts Access can customise training by combining a range of training components which best suit the requirements of specific groups or organisations.

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EASE TICKET SERVICE

The EASE Ticket Service works with arts and cultural organisations to make it easy for people with a disability to access the arts.

EASE is a membership-based program open to people with a disability, people with a mental health issue, people with a chronic illness, and people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Distributing over 15,000 free and reduced price tickets to members each year, EASE also provides a personalised seating service, information about access services and venues, captioned and sign-interpreted performances, audio-description and tactile tours.

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INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Arts Access offers a range of training and consultancies to the arts and disability sectors including professional development for artists, workshops for local and regional communities, and training for arts and cultural organisations.

Arts Access also works in partnership with other organisations to develop specific access initiatives and arts projects that support increased services and access to the arts for people with a disability.

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ADVOCACY

Part of our role is advocate for equal access to the arts for all Victorians. Our goal is to improve access to Victoria’s arts and culture for people with disabilities and people who are Deaf. We have been instrumental in developing many initiatives including:

• The Companion Card scheme, making it easier for thousands of Victorians with a disability to access public events
• Conducting research on the requirements of the disability community and barriers to accessing the arts
• Policy development and advice to government
• Assisting with complaint resolution

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INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Every year Arts Access handles over 12,000 requests for information. Whether you are a professional artist with a disability on the lookout for opportunities, an individual searching for local art classes, or a performing arts venue needing guidance on access issues, Arts Access Victoria is your portal to the arts and disability in Victoria.

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ENQUIRIES

If you have any queries about any of our programs, please contact us on

Voice 03 9699 8299
TTY 03 9699 7636
EASE 03 9699 8497
Fax 03 9699 8868
Email info@artsaccess.com.au