THE BIG HAIRY GOAL

We aim to raise $20,000 to help get 8 exceptionally talented Australian artists with disability to Berlin to take centre stage at 'Meeting Place' the central component of the Australia-Berlin Arts Exchange Project, an international Arts and Disability festival that will showcase some of the best artists with disabilities from around the world from 9-20 October.

WHAT IS 'MEETING PLACE'?

'Meeting Place' is a unique festival concept that pushes boundaries because it is truly disability-led; it features disabled artists, key note speakers, event organisers and other contributors -  all of them living with disability. This is about people with disabilities leading the discussion and being centre-stage. People with disabilities have been spoken about, spoken to and spoken for but now - in Berlin - 8 artists will be doing the speaking with powerful voices through their extraordinary art. Performances will be open to the public to promote universal access.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

All 8 artists require one-on-one support either because they are in a wheelchair, are vision impaired, have intellectual challenges or are deaf and need sign language interpreters. Each festival and conference event requires live captioning, AUSLAN interpreters and braille facilities. We are also planning video documentation so we can share this unique learning opportunity with all Australian artists.

The unique opportunity of the Australian-Berlin Arts Exchange Project has been recognised by the Australian Federal Government with subsidy from the Department of Communication and the Arts’ Catalyst—Australian Arts and Culture Fund and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia Now (Germany) 2017 program. It is wonderful to have well over half of the costs of the project covered.

However... this funding only covers our artists and does not cover much-needed disability support and assistance. Your pledge will help to get all 8 artists to get the support they need to participate equally in Berlin. 

Please contribute now with a small or larger contribution and collect one of the amazing rewards outlined on the right of your screen. 

MEET THE ARTISTS

The amazing artists who make up the delegation travelling to Berlin. Your pledge will help get all 8 Australian artists with disability AND their supporters to Berlin.

SARAH HOUBOLT – Circus/Physical Theatre Performer. View a short video of Sarah's work here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELak23668bw

ANNA SEYMOUR - Contemporary Dancer View Anna's video  here https://youtu.be/jlWJ9EoeUhU and a short clip of Anna's work here http://bit.ly/2iA6CYt 

RUDELY INTERRUPTED – a Hot Indie Rock Group  View Rudely Interrupted's video here https://youtu.be/QtmT686DjJg and a short clip of their work here http://bit.ly/2vqY7VJ

CHELLE DESTEFANO – International Mixed Media and Watercolour Artist  View Chelle's video here https://vimeo.com/232022748 and a short clip of her work here https://vimeo.com/232022216

ANDREW HEWITT – Drummer, Teacher, Advocate View Andrew's video https://youtu.be/4mFZe_v-3AA and a short clip of Andrew's work here http://bit.ly/2wgD86M

WHO ARE WE?

Arts Access Australia (AAA) is Australia’s national peak body for arts and disability. Over 20% of Australians identify as people with a disability. AAA is the only national arts and disability organisation in the country to be disability-led, that is its CEO and 50 per cent of board members are people with a disability. It also includes our Chair, the amazing Mallika Macleod, who spoke to you in our video. We work to increase national and international opportunities and access for people with disability as artists, arts-workers, participants and audiences. Meeting Place is AAA’s flagship event, a national platform and annual festival/conference that facilitates learning, discussion and debate on issues impacting artists, arts workers and leaders with disability and those with an interest in the sector.

WHY NOW?

Capitalising on what is becoming a global movement of disability self-determination and self-representation, Germany have now asked us to bring the 'Meeting Place' concept to Berlin under the umbrella of the Australia-Berlin Arts Exchange Project . The festival will encompass a conference platform for the exchange of ideas and lots of learning and a vibrant program of satellite events showcasing the highest calibre theatre, dance, music and visual arts by international artists with disability. Activities at museums and galleries where artists will give feedback on access to representatives from these institutions . Our 8 artists will be the force behind the 'Meeting Place' centrepiece event and will also contribute as speakers, performers, exhibitors and workshop facilitators throughout the entire festival.

HOW DID THE PROJECT COME ABOUT?

In July 2016, AAA’s former CEO Emma Bennison spoke at Berlin-based NGO Foerderband’s conference about disability access planning and this opportunity inspired an ongoing collaboration. From the early planting of this seed, 12 months later the Australia-Berlin Arts Exchange Project was born.

WHEN AND WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?

Over an action packed 11 days from 9-20 October 2017, the Australia-Berlin Arts Excange Project will set the stage to showcase a line-up of  8 incredibly talented Australian artists alongside German artists and a full program of  innovative learning opportunities between Australia and Germany. All this will take place at a series of internationally recognised venues for dance, new music, theatre/performance, and media art.

HOW WILL THE FUNDS BE USED?

The $20,000 will be used to fund much needed access and support to our hugely talented artists not currently covered by our Government funding. This includes airfares and accommodation for three access assistants/ supporters, and access costs to support participation such as AUSLAN and language interpreters, Braille interpretation, ramps for wheelchair users. The balance of the money will go to video documentation so we can share this unique learning opportunity with all Australian artists.

MORE ABOUT US

Established in 1992, AAA is a disability-led company limited by guarantee. Our CEO and at least 50% of our board members identify as a person with disability. AAA works across all disability types, all age groups, all art forms and across all states and territories of Australia. Our members include state based arts and disability organisations, individual artists, arts-workers and arts leaders with disability; and others within the wider arts and cultural sector.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS PROJECT?

Each artist is encouraged to leverage this opportunity to develop extended opportunities for their work internationally. An enormously positive step in their careers and a basis for new roles, new commissions and new international touring opportunities in the future. In addition, we are already planning a reciprocal visit to Australia from Berlin artists with disability who participate in the 2017 Exchange, to further increase the collaborative learnings. AAA in partnesrhip with Incite Arts have been fortunate to receive funding for an international Meeting Place 2018 in Alice Springs with the aim to host a German delegation at the event. So you know already that your pledge now will have an ongoing effect into the future. 

THAT WONDERFUL FEELING...

If you have backed other Pozible projects before you know the wonderful feeling that you have contributed to making the world a little more beautiful and a lot more joyous. We really do hope that you are with us for this incredible project. 

YOU can help change lives today. PLEASE MAKE A PLEDGE NOW - no matter how large or small - and help us by actively distributing this campaign through your networks.

The $20,000 raised by this campaign will provide much needed access and supporters/carers for our hugely talented artists not currently covered by our Government funding. This includes airfares and accommodation for one-on-one supporters/carers, and access costs such as Braille and AUSLAN interpretation, ramps for wheelchairs, etc. In addition, it will provide for video documentation so we can share this unique learning opportunity with all Australian artists.

Right now, we only have funding for the Artists to travel to Berlin. Funds raised by this campaign will provide much needed access and support to our hugely talented artists not currently covered by our Government funding. All artists require one-on-one supporters either because they are in a wheelchair, are vision impaired, have intellectual challenges or are deaf and need AUSLAN interpreters. It is only with your pledge that they can get the support they need to participate in what will be a life-changing experience for all.