ArtISability Has Kicked Off!

One pilot program commence today with six keen artists arriving to stamp the feet on the Ipswich Arts Community . . . Not only did they amaze us . . . they amazed themselves as well . . .

Hidden Talent in Ipswich!

Exploring Colour!

From the earth

Abstract Workshop

Developing Skills in Sculpture 

From the earth 

February Newsletter Is Out Now!

In The News . . .

February 2014 . . .

With numbers for out March Pilot Program filling up fast, we've got our heads down to make connects in the Ipswich community. ArtISability workshops are designed to be a stepping stone for artists with a disability.  Our goal is to then connect them to local arts groups and organisations to enhance their artistic ability and career opportunities . . . 

We seek to promote the social inclusion of people living in with disabilities and mental illness into their local community.  We are currently seeking opportunities to work with the Ipswich Arts Community in enabling clients to participate.  We have opened our newsletter up for advertising and want to hear from Ipswich artists, arts teachers, art groups and art organisations who like to invite an artists with a disability to participate in their organised art activities. 

Advertising is free for our partners and sponsors. If you like to know more about our partnership program, please phone Debbie on 3281 3218. Or use the contact form on your right. 

We are currently discussing partnership program with the Ipswich Arts Society. We will have more details in our March edition. 

Newsletter abstracts: For a copy of our full newsletter email Debbie.

ArtISability is a professional development program designed specifically for artists living with disability and mental illness, to provide a supported learning environment to extend their current skills. The program desires to enable artists to identify individual goals and link with other artists in their area at the completion of the program.

We also want to strongly encourage the artists to collaborate with other artists to produce artworks or exhibit work.

During our pilot program our artists can chose from workshops in: Oil Painting, Abstract Art or Sculpture.   Please visit our website for specific eligibility criteria and to download application forms. The closing date for our March 2014 program is 5 pm February 11^th. 

Please Note: It is extremely difficult to process applications after this date, as an individual support plan for each artist needs to be developed prior to the commencement of the program on March 1.  This is vital to ensuring artists reach their goals.  No applications will be considered after this date, but will be filed for future programs.

Community Linking: 

If you think you would like to offer classes or tutor our Ipswich artists at the completion of our program, or would enjoy mentoring an artist’s with a disability, we would like to hear from you.  We are looking for artists, art teachers, art groups and partnering organisations to advertise with us in our next newsletter. It is estimated that our first newsletter was shared with around 500 people Australia wide but with links of Facebook and Twitter this widens considerably.

Currently we have NO funding for Transport.  A small advertising fee of $20 could provide a taxi for an artist to attend.  OR for 12 months advertising you might like to sponsor an artist to attend the program.  Please contact Debbie on 3281 3218 to discuss advertising partnerships.

At the completion of our March program we need an accessible venue to meet and work on collaborative projects. If you know a suitable venue and can help fund its hire please contact us.

   

Your business advertisement could appear here, 

if you chose to partner with us in some way! 

        See our website for more details.

Sample Advertising

Our 2014 ArtISability Artists

may enjoy working with:

~ Cynthia Manietta ~

Turning Earth Cermanics

Classes

Workshops

Events

Studio Space

Website: www.turningearthceramics.com

Telephone: (07) 3813 0908

Studio Space is Accessible

ArtISability would like to Thank:-

ARALA Queensland, the Ipswich City C ouncil together with Arts Queensland, through the Regional Arts Development Fund; and Access Art Inc. Queensland for funding our ArtISability Pilot Program.  Future programs in Ipswich and perhaps further a field are dependent future funding submissions.  We have had interest, from artists living in Toowoomba and Brisbane who have expressed interest in participating in our program at this time, however under our funding agreement we can not help visual artists living outside Ipswich.

Future ArtISability Programs are dependent on the involvement and partnership of the local community. 

Our ultimate aim is not to emerge as another disability service provider but to link our artists into their local arts and small business community. As emerging artists in their own right, our artists simply seek the same opportunities as other artists. Our goal at ArtISability is to assist in the removal of barriers that may be obstacles for our artists.

Our March program assists by providing accessible training venues, learning support and support staff to enable our visual artists to achieve the goals they identified. We are seeking expressions of interests from like minded people living in South-East Queensland.  If you are interested, we are holding an Information Session on 15^th April, 2014 @ 7 pm. 

The feasibility of future programs will be determined by a successful pilot program, high levels of community support and participants being successfully linked into the Ipswich Arts community.  We can only support the local arts community if we are supported.  Please attend our community meeting on the 15^th April. If you can offer us a wheelchair accessible venue on this night we will be happy to promote your business in the March, April and May Newsletters.  Please phone Debbie on 3281 3218.

January Newsletter

Professional Development Program for Artists

Living with disability and mental health issues,.

Debbie Chilron (Project Officer)

PO Box 483, IPSWICH QUEENSLAND

Telephone: 0421 401 788

Pilot Program runs on March 1, 15, and 29th March 2014

Applications close 5 pm 11th February 2014

Costs $55 per person

Sorry we are currently not funded to provide transport.  

ArtISability is a professional development program designed for artists living with disability and metal health issues. Our 2014 Pilot program is support by Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland, A.L.A.R.A Queensland, Access Arts Queensland and members of the Ipswich regional community.

Our program is designed for artists who seek to further develop their artistic skills and/or develop industry contacts within their local community.  We give priority to artists experiencing challenges in their artistic purists due to living with significant disability and mental health issues. These include a physical, intellectual, sensory, behavioural, neurological or mental health issues who need support to undertake daily living tasks.  Specific eligibility criteria and application forms are available from our website for download. Please note that the closing date for our March 2014 program, is 5 pm February 11^th. This allows us to develop an Individual Artists - Professional Development Plan for each client and begin to seek opportunities for our artists beyond the completion of the program, further information is available by phoning Debbie directly on (07) 3281 3218.  Assistance with completing application forms is available and if you require the application form in another format please contact us for assistance.

March 2014 sees an opportunity for our artists to develop skills in fine arts ─ oil painting, abstract art and sculpture. You can visit our website for more details on workshop details.

Partnerships in the Ipswich Region: We are still seeking to develop partnerships with local businesses and organisations to run a successful ArtISability Pilot Program.  If successful, we hope to gain funding to continue our program in 2015, and extend the boundaries of the program into other parts of Southeast Queensland. We have already had expression of interests from artists living in Brisbane and Toowoomba.

Community Volunteers: There are still places available for Ipswich Residents to volunteer to support individual artists with a disability to complete the program and successfully link into the Ipswich Arts Community.  Volunteers are required to assist with setting up & clean up, assisting individuals with their equipment and cleaning the equipment, mobility, learning supports, note taking, and eating lunch. Professional support workers will be partnering with us through ALARA Queensland and volunteers will receive training to enable them to undertake the role.  All volunteers need to have registered with us by January 11^th to allow criminal screening and workers compensation processes to be completed with ALARA Queensland.

Artists Groups and Arts Organisations: As part of our community linking program, we are seeking to link our artists to the local artists’ community in the Ipswich region and surrounding areas. This will include artist markets, joining local artists groups, undertaking art workshops in the community, linking with the Ipswich show community, further education and skills developments and collaborating on arts projects to present and arts exhibition.  We will thus be seeking a suitable venue to enable the group to bring the art exhibition together. Any groups or organizations interested in partnering with us will receive free advertising in our February Newsletter.

If you are a disability support organisation, who runs artistic groups you may advertise in our newsletter which will be distributed electronically through the Ipswich Disability Interagency Network and local arts networks.

Beyond March 2014: To continue our program beyond the pilot we require the support of the local Ipswich Community.  This includes support agency, individual artists, volunteers, arts agencies, local arts groups and the Ipswich community. If you are interested in attending a ‘group discussion’ in view to supporting further arts or community grants on April 15^th at 7 pm, venue to be advised Contact Debbie on (07) 3281 3218.

Some Inspiration . . .

Art is an activity and a passion that can be explored by anyone. As this young artist with a spinal cords shows. Art is a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the community who share your passion. At ArtISability we understand that despite your talents, accessing your local art community can be difficult. 

Which is why we will be supporting 10 artists with a disability to take part in a pilot program in March 2014.  We will be offering places to 10 emerging artists to take workshops in Oil painting, Abstract Art and Sculpture.  Each artist will be supported by experienced support workers to develop their existing skills and make links to the local arts community in the Ipswich Region. 

Our program her in Ipswich is funded through the Regional Arts Develop Fund, we seeks to support artists to further their artistic careers, in partnership with local council and Arts Queensland.  Our 2014 Partners include the Ipswich City Council, Arts Queensland, Access Arts Queensland and ALARA Queensland.  We also have members of the local community who have volunteer to provide one on one support as need during the program. 

We the hope to showcase these talented arts to the local Ipswich Region through other opportunities during 2014.  

• If you are an emerging artists living in the Ipswich Region
• Have an significant disability or mental health issues
• Desire to increase your artistic ability. 
• Would like to connect with other artists living in the region

We would encourage you to download an application form. Please phone Debbie on 3281 3218 if you would like this information in a different format or need additional information.

Applications close 14 February, to allow us time to write individual professional artists development plans for ArtISability participants.   

New Partner

We would like to extend our thanks and welcome to our new partner Access Arts for 2014. Access Arts will be providing direct support to our Project Officer, Debbie Chilton to allow her to efficiently deliver our ArtISability Programs through 2014.

 This bursary was awarded to Debbie  through Access Arts’ Rising Star Program. We also extend our appreciation to Arts Quensland as partners of the 2013 Access Arts Rising Star Program, which in the addition to Debbie's bursary to assist in the commencement of ArtISability in 2014, has assisted in Debbie's Professional Development as an arts worker throughout 2013.

2013 Program Postponed

2013 Applications are now closed! 

Due to poor response we have decided to move the program to March next year!

Our ArtISability Program is currently funded in partnership the Regional Arts Development Fund, this is a partnership between the Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland to invest in the professional development of artists living with disability and mental illness in the Ipswich City Council and our March 2014 intake gives priorities to those living with the council boundaries.  However, others living outside the region have expressed interest and places not filled by Ipswich residents may be offered to others.  Although we continue to explore other opportunities and other formats with interested parties.  

What is the aim of the Artisability Program? The program seeks to develop the artistic skills of people living with disability and mental illness, while extending the links with the local arts community in which they live.  It is expected that the program will give the participants the confidence to collaborate with other artists on artworks and exhibitions. 

We focus on training, skills development and developing links with the local community for artists to further develop the artistic abilities. On completion of the program we hope participants will consider joining a local artists network, continue on to undertake further training, collaborate with other artists, and produce works of art to sell.

We give priority to artists who can demonstrate an existing sound knowledge of arts skills and the arts industry. Those applicants who demonstrate the ability to highlight how the program will enhance their ability to join their local arts community will be given preference.

The program running in March 2014 in Ipswich will be hosted by the ALARA Association.

Where:  Luke's Place 33 Salisbury Road, Ipswich.  

When: Saturday 1st March - 10 am start

            Saturday 15th  March - 10 am start

            Saturday 29th  March - 10 am start

Who:   Check eligibility citers  

Costs: $55 (Covers tuition, art supplies, support workers and lunch) 

How: Artists will identify the artistic goals and the outcome they want to achieve at the completion of the program.  For this the will chose from 3 different options. These being:

1. Oil Painting
2. Abstract Art (Painting)
3. Sculpture 

Other the month artist will build on the prior workshop skills to produce a artwork the may contributed to an art exhibition with they wish to participate. An example of an expected outcome from the oil painting class is:-

Applications for March 2014 Artisability Program are now open!

For more information phone Debbie on (07) 3281 3218

  

Artists: Astro Saulter 

Astro is a young artist with living with disability.  He as an artist works with digital imaging. As you will see in the video, Astro uses the same computer software as Stephen Hawkings to create his work. Astro is currently preparing for his third art exhibition.

Despite having no control  over the use of his hands, Aatro manipulates the art program through the controller. The ability to produce salable artworks is not reliant on the abilities we associate with artistic abilities. Creative juices sliver from the mind to appear on a canvas or in Astro case computer screen.

Every artists in entitled to access professional training and development opportunities and be assisted to maximize their potential market.  However, we live in society with many barriers. Our educational institutions are not always accessible and learning supports such as hearing loops are not always available, and sadly this is especially true for art studios. 

Art studios tend to be tuck away in disused warehouses and stairs, even those with access of fail to have accessible amenities. However access issues are not solely the propriety for those living with disability that affect their mobility.  Hearing loss can pose just as many access issues art artist's seek to find training to enhance their skills.

Traditional arts education is well grounded in theory and history.  Lack of knowledge in these areas does not impair the artists ability to work.  In the sale of works of art disability is irrelevant. However outside continually want to make it relevant and create barriers.  Society as a whole demands we comform to their standards to enter the market place.

Artisability can never create a fare playing field for artist with a disability, but we can assist to build bridges to remove some of the barriers artists like Astro face.  We can assist with things like education, communication and advocating for artists with a disability. 

The first step in the artISability program is to enable artists to set their goals, the second is to provide accessible training and professional development and lastly we provide information and assistance to access that information to link them to other artists living in the community.

Our pilot program begins next month if you live in the Ipswich City Council area and would like to become involve call Debbie on 0421 401 788 now! To book your place in the program and don't be shy invite your friends with disabilities to sign up too!