Past Projects

Visual Art workshops culminating in a major exhibition paper_object_scene

15 people with disabilities who live in the City of Glen Eira attended 12 weekly visual art workshops facilitated by Lindy Macauley and Elyss McCleary, at McKinnon Public Hall. Their individual and group artworks were shown together with the artworks of 4 more established artists with disabilities, who also live in the city of Glen Eira. 44 exquisite prints, pastels, oils and inks on paper and photographs surrounded elaborate life-size paper costumes, delicate ceramic figures and a mini cinema showing the quirky short film, “Johnny Wood.” Held in celebration of International Day of People with a Disability, this important exhibition showcased the outstanding artwork created by people with disabilities who live in the City of Glen Eira.

“Just fabulous – such a variety of styles and art forms, all beautifully presented works by a group of wonderful artists who obviously had a great time! Congratulations to the Glen Eira Council and Arts Access and all who put the exhibition together” Julie Walton, Moongala Women’s Centre

The Song Room Devising Inclusive Theatre Training

Artists Katrine Gabb and Lindy Macauley  ran a 2 hour workshop which involved 20 Teaching Artists designing and making their own paper costumes then devising a short theatre piece using the costumed character as the focal point and selected Makaton sign language. This was followed by a lengthy Q & A session where the Teaching Artists shared some of the issues they faced when integrating students with disabilities into their classes. With their extensive knowledge and experience, Lindy and Katrine were able to offer valuable advice and innovative techniques to assist the Teaching Artists with implementing Inclusive Arts Practices in their classrooms.

Wallan International Day, Devising Inclusive Theatre Training

In November 2009, we ran a 4 hour workshop which involved 15 young people with disabilities designing and making their own paper costumes, then devising a short theatre piece, which they performed to the attendees of the Wallan International Day festivities as the Grand Finale! The day was a success for everyone involved, with trainers, participants (and audience) particularly enjoying the performance outcomes.

BoilOver Theatre Consultation

Through our Inclusive Arts Training program, Arts Access Victoria worked with a local community group to establish BoilOver theatre, an inclusive theatre company based in Sunbury. As with many community groups, we provided assistance with strategic planning, recruitment of key staff and development of accessible publicity material.

ArtPlay Inclusive Arts Training Session

Arts Access devised a two-hour training session for artists employed at ArtPlay, including a brief Disability Awareness session and an introduction to Inclusive Arts Practice. The session was extremely well received by all the artists who attended with their main feedback being “too short” and “we want more!”

Consultation on Festival for Healthy Living, Artists Training Program

Arts Access provided advice, resources and referrals to the Festival for Healthy Living, Artists Training Program funded by the Community Partnerships Section of the Australia Council to:

• Research, create, implement and evaluate a comprehensive arts, education and health training program for up to 46 artists in regional, remote and metro regions of Victoria.
• Extend and deepen the experience of artists and communities working with the Festival for Healthy Living.

The Artists Training Program aims not only to strengthen the effectiveness of the FHL Program through the development of a pool of highly specialised artists, but to build the capacity of these artists and artist co-ordinators in initiating and undertaking further work in the area of arts, health and education including projects within their own metropolitan, regional and rural communities.