Arts Access Central Australia (AACA) is an organisation working collaboratively with the community in developing a broad range of opportunities for people with disabilities to explore, engage and participate in a dynamic range of creative pursuits.

AACA works holistically to service and support the development of a dynamic range of collaborative ventures involving the Arts and Disability sectors within Alice Springs and as our capacity extends, to include the broader region.

AACA networks across the states and territories and has Board membership of Arts Access Australia, the national peak Arts and Disability organisation.

InCite Youth Arts provides infrastructural and operational support including housing Arts Access Central Australia and has a commitment to sustainable outcomes for AACA. InCite is working closely with the AACA Reference Committee to determine and formulate the pathway to enable this to happen. As an art focused organisation InCite provides the link with the arts community and partners with a range of key stakeholders from the Disability sector to access participants to engage in Arts and creative opportunities.

In the seeding stages of the development of AACA as an organisation, AACA undertook consultative processes with the Arts and Disability sectors to develop initiatives, short and long term pathways, to achieve inclusive strategies for people with disabilities of all ages to participate in creative opportunities. A Strategic Plan was developed with professional consultative guidance in 2005 and remains effective in guiding the directions of AACA including the formulation of activities for 2009.

Arts Access Central Australia Steering Committee comprises representatives from:
• Office of Disability/Disability Services
• CASA Central Australia Inc
• NPY Women’s Council
• Mental Health Association Central Australia (MHACA)
• Acacia Hill School
• Bindi Inc
• Central Craft
• Community members, Artist/Tutor/Mentors
• InCite Youth Arts Inc

2008 Activities
In 2008 AACA successfully provided opportunities for individuals to recognise and celebrate their abilities, manage their challenges and realise their aspirations. In AACA 2008 focused on two skills & arts development and networking projects:

• "Community Mosaic Bench” Workshops
• "Mixed Ability ALLSORTS” Jewellery Workshops and the Jewellery & Textile Exhibition"

These two initiatives were Arts and Disability and Community Cultural Development projects involving the network of disability organizations in and around Alice Springs. Using the arts as a medium for sharing and connecting, these projects included those with disabilities, support workers, and the wider community WORKING TOGETHER, and thus breaking down the stigma and barriers often associated with disabilities, creating an environment of mutual respect and appreciation.
These two projects achieved the following purposes for 2008:
• Raise awareness of the broad nature of disabilities to the wider community
• Create new community connections and networks through working holistically to service and support the development of a dynamic range of collaborative ventures involving the Arts and Disability sectors within the Alice Springs municipality.
• Employ CCD processes & engage as mentors employing effective collaborative processes with partner Arts and Disability groups and people with disabilties of all ages to offer new arts engagement and skills development opportunities.

AACA also secured a grant from NT CBF to provide an accessible pathway to the InCite/AACA offices in the Alice Springs central business district.

"Community Mosaic Bench” Workshops April 7th - 25th

The “Community Mosaic Bench Project” consisted of the creation of a visual art feature in the form of two mosaic art park benches, involving people with disabilities and the wider community working together. The location of the completed mosaic benches is the perennially popular Olive Pink Botanic Garden an important historical and cultural venue in Alice Springs. Disability access to this popular community space was a major consideration in the choice, signifying and celebrating the place of people with a disability in our community. Mosaic Art, as a durable medium, is able to sustain its physical and aesthetic quality over time which makes it most suitable to survive the severe environmental conditions prevalent in the Central Desert Region.

Designs were interpreted through the use of contemporary techniques and methods, using dynamic colours and creating a strong visual impact incorporating elements sympathetic and complimentary to the environment with motifs and symbols that reflect the environment, heritage, history, community and culture of Alice Springs and of the site. A participant from Bindi Inc, Randall, provided delightful drawings of local animals, birds and reptiles which were used in the design. These drawings were integrated by the Artists/Mentors into the final bench designs. The construction of the mosaics onto the benches by participants was undertaken under the guidance of the project artists.

Groups Attending:
Bindi Inc, Central Australian Support Accommodation (CASA), Acacia Hill Primary School, U3A Seniors Group, Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA), and individual Community members.
Participants:
Seventy eight (78) individuals worked on the mosaic benches through out the three week project.

Feedback/Excerpts from Reports:
• Guest Artist/Mentor, Sue Codee:
The preliminary discussion on the logistics of the project created a project that I could just walk into and focus on the artistic process which was fantastic, as often too much time can be wasted with the smaller details of a project and as a result the artistic component loses out on inspiration levels.

Workshops attracted a steady flow of participants. All had varying ages and ranges of disability, and carers assisted. For some not able to actually be involved in mosaicing it was enough for them to be a part of the experience by sitting and watching what was happening and being a part of the team. Feedback from participants and carers confirmed that it was a fantastic experience and that they were all excited about their placement in Olive Pink Gardens as this was a regular venue that they all visited.

Working with Philomena is always a pleasure and she is brilliant when it comes to engaging people in the arts, plus she is a hard worker. I would also like to thank Jenine and Virginia for organising this project and for having the persistence and vision to continue with it, taking on the challenges that may have initially seen it shelved.

• Local Artist/Mentor & Project Officer Philomena Hali:
Interest has been expressed for these benches to be made for other areas in the community. The venue for working was perfect – shade, security, and site, were optimum and provided an avenue for visitors and locals to visit, observe, or be involved in the project. Access to the studio area of Central Craft for clients to have refreshment breaks proved to be very handy.

Many of the participating groups have found the mosaic process to be clinically beneficial to their clients and would like to pursue their own projects in this medium. Working with Sue Codee initiated ongoing mentoring in the mosaic arts application including design, material usage, and general aesthetics of the finished product. Well defined timelines from delivery to installation proved invaluable to the progression and flow of this project. Working with engineers that have sensitivity to art, environment and OH&S ethic, nurtured much confidence throughout this project. The Mosaic Benches project has been a most enjoyable and rewarding experience for so many people – I look forward to working on further community arts projects with this client group in the future.

• Participant Comments/Community Feedback:
o “I look forward to seeing the benches in the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens”
o “Great project! Nice and colourful and very Australian”
o “Awesome”
o “What beautiful work – a credit to Alice”
o “They’d look good in the Telegraph Station and the Desert Park – reckon you could get the scouts involved?”
o “He’s speechless – They are indestructible - they’d look good at the Uniting Church lawns and outside the library.”
o “Fan – Bloody – Tastic!”
o “ I have never seen this client so focused - what a great therapeutic activity”
o Evan Massien “Had fun with the mosaics”
o Mardijah Simpson “Great Community Arts Project, Lets have more!”

"Mixed Ability Allsorts” Jewellery Workshops & Exhibition" 18 – 29 August

AACA engaged people with disabilities and local artists in a creative process and produced jewellery through a variety of accessible methods for an exhibition. Jewellery making workshops were held at the Central Craft Studio. The activities promoting manual dexterity catering for people with various level of ability to participate, learn and achieve outcomes of a quality finished product. The workshops provided aspects of jewellery making that involved seeking out objects and materials from nature to apply to carved wax, cuttlefish carving and casting, crocheting and beading, to create, silver rings, brooches, bracelets, neckpieces and pendants.

The project’s purpose was to engage and expose people with disabilities to new mediums with functional and decorative outcomes. The resulting works were exhibited together with works created by local artist, Philomena Hali in her professional capacity as a Fabric/Textile Artist. This exhibition was hosted by the Olive Pink Botanic Garden 26 November – 15 December to coincide with the December celebrations of the International Day of People with Disabilities. 68 jewellery artworks were exhibited.

Participants
29 individuals attended workshops
73 attendances by these individual over two weeks

Workshop offered: 10
5 workshops were on crochet with copper and silver wire, integrating beads and found objects, 3 on wax carving and organic casting and 2 on carving cuttle fish bone.

Jewellery Pieces created: Over 80 pieces of jewellery were produced.
These included10 castings in copper on cuttle fish bone were done on-site. Some participants were able to witness the process, however due to the hazardous nature of ‘melting and pouring metal’, this activity was less accessible.

List of Exhibiting Artists/Participants: 21

Participants

Kukula McDonald
Sandra White
Kevin Pepperill
Seth Namatajira

Kathleen Sheenan
Kirrily Frost
Melissa Dooley Thompson
Martin Armstead
Stewart Keech
Rachelle Guy
Daniel Benson
Christina Sarkanen
Mal Schwartz (Carer)
Claire McKee (Carer)
Geane Keane (Carer)

Wilma Poulson
Mimi Tomic
Maureen Durbridge
Maureen Marsay

Meg Chabrel Lori Dellaverson


Feedback/Excerpts from Reports:
• Guest Artist/Mentor, Tineke Van Der Eecken:
InCite’s contribution to the project management made the project work beautifully. As a workshop venue, Araluen was suited for the activities and offered opportunity for interaction with the local artist community and public. I recognise InCite have put in a lot of work to make this happen.

We were able to adapt our programme/level of activity to suit the ability of the participants. The collaboration with Philomena Hali was both pleasant and effective. She has a thorough knowledge of the organisations and even participants involved. Philomena was able to embrace the techniques and very quickly and aptly delivered one-on-one learning support to participants where and when needed during the workshops. The workshop programme was innovative in that it was the first time this type of activity was offered to this clientele, and we have ignited new interest in the jewellery making facility at Central Craft.

• Local Artist/Mentor & Project Officer Philomena Hali:
Each time I work for InCite or AACA it is a great pleasure and I learn so much! Mentoring by InCite’s Virginia and Jenine is invaluable and structured and very clear – this makes an enormous impact when embarking on projects with persons with special needs and communicating with the carer groups. I see this organisation as a “Role Model” in working on public art projects and other arts programs and events in Alice Springs. InCite and AACA are at the forefront of delivering specialist projects in Alice Springs.

Developing timelines on all aspects of the exhibition provided clear deadlines to achieve a unique, classy, first time exhibition, showcasing works of persons with varied abilities in a venue which reflected the natural materials used to create the jewellery. The accompanying textiles were dyed with plant material from the Olive Pink Botanic Garden – these were placed on the walls and added interest to the overall display. The involvement and assistance of AACA steering committee was invaluable. Makers were in awe of their works - for most it was the first time they had seen their work since being cast in silver and the wax was totally transformed into something real and wearable.

Participant Feedback
Kathleen: “It was great fun. I am very happy with what I have made. “I would now like to do felting and silk painting…..”
Mimi: “I have made more friends in this workshop than I have in the two years that I have lived here.” “I didn’t believe it (the casting) was possible. Look at what I have made!”
Meg: I have learned so many more techniques. You would not believe I was in a wheelchair until not so long ago. For the first time, I feel I have actually been able to do and achieve something.”
Maureen: “I have done other art workshops but the difference with AACA is that the Artists they choose know how to care for and look after the needs of people with a disability. They are trained in looking after our needs and help me to achieve really good outcomes”
Kirrily: “My mum will never believe I did this, could you email her a photo”
Kristina: “I don’t want to do it – could you help me – look what I did – I made this – can I take it home now!!!!”
Visitors: “This is fantastic – wish we could join in and learn”

 AACA acknowledges the support of Arts Access Australia, the national peak Arts and Disabiltiy Organisation