NSW’s creative institutions are set to broaden their horizons as they welcome aboard the ten NSW artists and practitioners selected as part of the Createability Internship Program, announced today by Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin.
The Createability Internship Program, a partnership between Create NSW, the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) and Accessible Arts, will allocate $64,000 to support those working with disability in the arts, screen, and cultural sectors.
The ten NSW artists and practitioners with disability chosen and their host organisations include: Michelle Brown (Museum of Contemporary Art Australia), Jack Dowdell (Goalpost Picture), Dan Graham (Sydney Opera House), Thomas Hamilton (Sydney Festival), Adam Jones (Campbelltown Arts Centre), Jessica Lubbe (Animal Logic), Naomi Malone (Art Gallery of NSW), Greg Moran (Jungle Entertainment), Joel Pragnell (ABC Playschool) and Cindy Zhi (Animal Logic).
“The arts community is unlike any other – one that champions creative expression and individuality without limitation,” said Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin. “As a government, we need to make sure that we are fostering this wealth of creative talent. I know that each of these organisations will learn as much from this experience as the interns themselves, helping us to improve longer-term accessibility and employment prospects for people with disability across the State.”
This morning’s announcement at the Art Gallery of NSW comes during today’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability. “Diversity in the workplace is good for all industries,” said Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams. “These talented interns will have the opportunity to bring new ideas and perspectives to the arts sector and will contribute their skills to valuable projects.”
Accessible Arts will host disability awareness training for the organisations and support the recipients before, during and after their internships through mentoring, customised work-ready training and by pairing interns with suitable industry mentors for future coaching.
“Accessible Arts is delighted to be a partner in this new and groundbreaking initiative,” said Accessible Arts CEO, Kerry Comerford. “We look forward to learning from and growing with each of the interns, and journeying with them as they embark on their respective professional placements with some of NSW’s key arts and cultural organisations.”
For more information, visit: www.aarts.net.au or www.create.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Naomi Malone, Kerry Comerford (Accessible Arts CEO), Michelle Brown, Joel Pragnell, Dan Graham, Minister Harwin, Adam Jones, Thomas Hamilton, Alex O’Mara (Deputy Secretary Create NSW), Jack Dowdell, Cindy Zhi, Jessica Lubbe (supplied)