Somerset Arts and Disability Project

ACCESS FOR DISABLED ARTISTS, AUDIENCES AND PARTICIPANTS TO THE ARTS IN SOMERSET
THE SOMERSET ARTS AND DISABILITY PROJECT is run by Project Co-ordinator Catherine Beedell - cbeedell@tiscali.co.uk. It is funded by the Somerset Arts Officers Group.  For the past five years we have been working with arts organisations and disability groups to try to improve access for disabled people to the arts in Somerset.  We work closely with Kaleido - the South West Disability Arts Development Agency - who are based in Exeter - www.kaleidoarts.org

JOIN THE SOMERSET ARTS AND DISABILITY NETWORK:
This is an informal network of people interested in and involved with both Arts and Disability work and Disability Arts in Somerset. If you join you will receive regular information updates and invitation to a number of network events. You will also have the opportunity to influence policy and support me to make things better for disabled people who are arts audiences, arts participants and arts practitioners living in Somerset. To join, please email me at cbeedell@tiscali.co.uk

FLUX 3 -MAY 2009 SOMERSET ARTS AND DISABILITY/DISABILITY ARTS FESTIVAL:
I am working on FLUX 3 - MAY 2009 so do let me know if you are doing anything in May 09 I can help you to promote as part of the festival. cbeedell@tiscali.co.uk

LEARNING DISABILITY ARTS IN SOMERSET:
ArtsXchange brought arts to adults with learning disabilities in Somerset. Professional dancers, drummers, storytellers and performers worked with over 250 adults with learning disabilities throughout Somerset for the past two years. They delivered workshops and taster sessions in 8 day centres, two Arts Centres and places of historical and archaeological interest. There were skills sharing opportunities and masterclasses for staff and artists.
ArtsXchange has given participants a wonderful opportunity to develop their confidence, creativity, mobility and team working skills. The care staff in day centres enjoyed the project immensely. They have learned new skills that they can use in their work to develop and support people with learning disabilities. The two year ArtsXchange project was funded by the Arts Council England, Somerset County Council Adult Learning Disability Development Fund and the Somerset Arts Officers Group's Arts and Disability Fund.

JOIN THE SOMERSET LEARNING DISABILITY ARTS FORUM:
We want to continue to develop the ArtsXchange network of people in Somerset involved with developing and delivering Learning Disability Arts. If you would like to join please email cbeedell@tiscali.co.uk.

SURVEY OF LEARNING DISABILITY ARTS IN SOMERSET
If you are involved in any way with Learning Disability Arts in Somerset I would be most grateful if you could contact cbeedell@tiscali.co.uk.

Useful Websites

ART+POWER www.artandpower.com A membership led group of disabled artists that seeks to empower people through high quality artistic expression.

KALEIDO www.kaleido.org  The disability arts development agency for the south west region. They work alongside existing arts resources to develop an inclusive arts environment - where disabled & deaf artists and individuals have equal opportunities to produce, participate, plan and manage arts projects and product. Services they provide include information and guidance to artists, disability arts development, disability equality training and consultancy.

NATIONAL DISABILITY ARTS FORUM - www.ndaf.org  Aims to create equality of opportunity for disabled people in all aspects of the arts.

EQUALITY SOUTH WEST - www.equalitysouthwest.org.uk  We are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity throughout the region. We are working with partners to tackle discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, faith, gender, race and sexual orientation.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING - www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk  Improves disabled people's access to live music by implementing a Charter of Best Practice in grassroots music venues, clubs, festivals and tours across the UK.

HOLTON LEE - www.holtonlee.co.uk  The artistic vision of Holton Lee is to strive to become the UK's leading contemporary arts organisation emphasising Disability Arts and innovative arts practice.

FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY DANCE - www.communitydance.org.uk   The UK development agency for access, participation and progression in dance for all.

SOUND SENSE - Foundation for Community Music - www.soundsense.org

ARTS AND HEALTH SOUTH WEST is an organisation for everyone interested in the Arts and Health sector in the South West of England. www.artsandhealthsw.org.uk

THE DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION - We want a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens. www.drc-gb.org

FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES - www.learningdisabilities.org.uk

COMPASS DISABILITY SERVICES www.compassdisability.org.uk  An organisation of Somerset based disabled people working through consultation, representation, research and service provision to improve access to all services and facilities.

If any of these are not working please let us know - thank you. 
email news@somersetrartworks.org.uk