2015 has been a successful first year for the Heading West Project. The strategic partnership with Accessible Arts, NSW peak body for arts and disability has allowed us to deliver a suite of professional and networking opportunities for the New England North West Arts and Disability Sector. These opportunities have included two regional arts and disability forums in Armidale and Gunnedah, arts and disability awareness training and disability action plan workshops for key organisations within our region, project funding for organisations through Accessible Arts Artist Run Initiatives and the development of projects ideas for 2016.
In 2016, the Heading West will focus primarily on:
- The continued development of professional development and artistic opportunities for artists with disabilities in the New England North West through partnerships and collaborative projects that support and promote the principles of universal access and social inclusion.
- The distribution of information through the updated Enable Arts Network and Heading West data base in regards to artistic and professional development opportunities, arts and cultural events in the New England North West, grant and funding opportunities.
- Continuing networking opportunities for the arts and disability sector in the New England North West.
Heading West aims to facilitate artistic projects that are built on the shared commitment of our communities to foster inclusivity and accessible creative opportunities. We are keen to partner, support and advocate for arts and disability projects in the New England North West region, implementing a plan to create sustainable and supportive platform for arts and disability. We encourage you all to send information to Arts North West (media@artsnw.com.au) on projects and/or project ideas, and follow Heading West on Facebook to become connected to the arts and disability sector.