Arts Funding Program Review Submission Form
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ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW SUBMISSION FORM Submission Information Please use this template to provide comments on the Arts NSW Arts Funding Program Review discussion paper. Contact Details (optional) Name of Organisation: Accessible Arts Your Name: Sancha Donald Phone Number: Email: Confidentiality All submissions will be treated as public documents, unless you clearly indicate the contrary by marking all or part of the submission as ‘confidential’. Public submissions may be published in full on the Arts NSW website, including your personal information and/or the personal information of third parties contained in the submission. A request made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 for access to a submission marked confidential will be determined in accordance with that Act. Do you want this submission to be treated as confidential? No Submission Instructions This template is provided as a guide for your response to the discussion paper. A summary of the Key Themes from the discussion paper is at the back of this template. The questions posed in the summary are provided as a stimulus for your response. You do not need to respond to each question posed. Submissions should be made by 5pm Friday, 26 July 2013. Arts NSW reserves the right not to consider late submissions. Where possible, submissions should be made on the following template, and should be lodged electronically via the email address [email protected] Alternatively, submissions may be sent to the postal address below to arrive by the due date: Arts Funding Program Review Arts NSW PO Box A226 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 Page 1 of 13 ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW SUBMISSION FORM 1. WHO AND WHAT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND HOW? This section of the discussion paper looks at: We welcome your views on these aspects of Eligibility the Arts Funding Program and any other Organisations thoughts and ideas you may have on who, Peak and service organisations what and how. Individuals Response to the NSW Arts Funding Program Review Accessible Arts is pleased to respond to the Arts Funding Program (APF) review. As an overarching comment, we recommend that the findings, strategies and recommendations of the National Arts and Disability Strategy be included as priorities within the development of the NSW Arts Funding Program. http://cmc.gov.au/sites/www.cmc.gov.au/files/arts-disability-0110.pdf The National Arts and Disability Strategy establishes four strategic focus areas which are relevant to the AFP around access and participation, arts and cultural practice, audience development and strategic development. Without the contribution of people with disabilities engaged in arts and cultural pursuits, the state’s cultural life is depleted. We also recognise the Arts Funding Program contribution to increasing the participation of people with disability as one element in the realisation of Goal 27 of the NSW 2021 Plan, ‘Enhanced participation in arts, sporting and recreation activities contributes to economic, social and cultural development across the State and delivers benefits to the community and the economy’. This response builds on our contribution at the recent AFP review workshop and specifically addresses: 1) the contribution made by peak organisations to the arts; 2) the value of funding focus areas such as arts and disability; 3) the need for funding models that accelerate sustainable development and evolution of artists 4) the need for funding models that accelerate sustainable development and evolution of venues, companies and organisations. 1) The contribution made by peak organisations to the arts: ‘I just want to be seen.’ Artist with a disability, February 2013 Improving access to the arts is vital in shaping Australian identities and in building strong, prosperous, resilient and inclusive societies. All Australians should have the opportunity to participate in the cultural life of the nation, regardless of our abilities, age, Page 2 of 13 ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW SUBMISSION FORM gender, cultural and linguistic diversity, or geographic location. Peak organisations are often better placed to deliver access to the arts for all Australians than government. Through their direct ties with the community, peak organisations are able to undertake the following activities: • reflect the diversity of the views of their sector, membership or constituency including CALD groups and individuals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and individuals, the elderly, children and young people, people with a disability, carers, and groups and individuals based in rural, regional and remote areas • provide input into government policy and advocacy work • act as a link between government, the sector and the community • assist the community to respond to change • develop partnerships and projects that facilitate growth of the sector • promote learning and development opportunities • pilot demonstration projects • assist member organisations to increase the standard of delivery • provide auspicing support • develop resources that promote best practice in the sector • undertake research on key issues in the sector • communicate widely to members to gain feedback on policy and operational issues 2. STRUCTURING THE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT VIBRANT ARTS AND CULTURE IN NSW Page 3 of 13 ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW SUBMISSION FORM This section of the discussion paper looks at: Your views, ideas and thoughts on shaping the Programs and projects Arts Funding Program to contribute to a vibrant Supporting accessibility arts and cultural sector in NSW. A diversity of art forms and disciplines 2) The value of funding focus areas such as arts and disability Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation in NSW. It promotes full inclusion, access, opportunities and leadership in the arts for people with disability through advocacy, education and information. Accessible Arts is currently funded through a multi-year negotiated agreement. Government funding endorses the work of an organisation that through capacity building, professional development strategies and advocacy aims to ensure that the 20% of the population who have a disability are able to engage in the arts as audience members, participants or professionals. Furthermore, it supports an organisation whose sole purpose and focus is the advancement of physical, sensory and participatory access to the arts for all. People with disability make up nearly 1 in 5 members of the Australian population. Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that in 2009 this represented approximately 4.0 million Australians, with the main disabling conditions reported as back problems and arthritis. People with the most severe types of disabilities- those people who always need help or supervision with their mobility, communication and/or self care is around 2.9% of Australia’s population. Continued funding for Accessible Arts is valued and has provided the organisation with a platform for many successful initiatives and partnerships, leading to greater creative and receptive engagement for people with a disability in the arts in NSW. However, Accessible Arts knows that the elevated awareness of inclusive practices across both the arts and disability sectors is still embryonic. Promising practices in engaging people with disabilities in the arts have emerged over the last few years as a result of strategic investment by government by innovative and inclusive practices by remarkable artists with disability and by access champions from within arts and disability organisations. Significant advancements have been made but artists and audiences with disability remind us that there is still more to be done. An investment in what works best to engage people with disability in the arts and a focus on audience research and access needs is a recommended element in the future Arts Funding Program. The research component of the Arts NSW/ADHC Art and Disability Partnership is a fine example of stretching the art budget to learn from experience and make recommendations for future expansion:http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/wpcontent/uploads/2012/08/ARTS_NSW_disability.pdf To achieve sustained outcomes in this area continued financial support is required based on Page 4 of 13 ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW SUBMISSION FORM realistic assessments of the costs of operation and administration. Accessible Arts also values the contribution of other peak organisations in the arts sector and the disability sector and we utilise their expertise in a range of mutual projects. For example we have collaborated with Regional Arts NSW on delivering the Creative Connections project, to enable better access to the arts for people with disability in Northern NSW. In collaboration with Museums and Galleries (NSW) we delivered a forum and resources addressing the key challenge of access for people with disability to heritage buildings with stairs such as museums, historic houses and art galleries. We also value the particular expertise and advocacy of peak organisations in the disability sector. Examples include the role played by organisations such as the Deaf Society in providing Auslan services and in promoting opportunities for deaf people in NSW and by People With Disability (PWD) in promoting physical access to social infrastructure or by the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) in translating resources into Easy English so that important service and policy changes can be understood by a range of people in NSW. The adoption of person centred or individualised funding packages within