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The University of Western Australia will this month launch Inclusive Arts Week – a new program that aims to promote accessibility and inclusion in the arts for everyone in the community.

Running between Tuesday 28 November and Saturday 2 December, Inclusive Arts Week packs in an exciting program of free events open to the community. Events range from mindfulness tours to an exhibition catering for people with Alzheimer's, and a public lecture looking at the cultural role organisations play in making arts accessible.

Highlights of Inclusive Arts Week include:

Going Slow – Visual arts and mindfulness tour – Wednesday 29 November 12-1pm
Slow your day down and relax with a different kind of art tour. Much like a mindfulness exercise, where the focus is on breathing, this tour allows the mind to settle on the artwork on display.

Public Talk: State of Access - Galleries museums and performing arts – Thursday 30 November 6-7.30pm
UWA’s Caine Chennatt investigates the role cultural organisations play in developing inclusive communities. Mr Chennatt was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, allowing him to travel to art galleries, museums, performing arts centres and community organisations across the world researching ways to improve disability-access and inclusion programs. In this presentation, he will share his insights.

Inclusive Arts Forum and the Arts and Cultural Access Consortium launch– Saturday 2 December 2-4pm
Join access advocates, as they discuss and share insights into accessibility and inclusion in the arts. This forum will also mark the launch of the newly formed Arts and Cultural Access Consortium, which UWA is part of and which aims to make arts more accessible.

Performance art: Tactile Tour by Elizabeth Bills – Saturday 2 December 1pm and 4pm
Tactile Tour is an art performance and installation by Perth artist, Elizabeth Bills. Traditionally, tactile tours suit visitors with low vision or blindness. Participants on the tour will be led by a guide on a sensory journey.

Let’s Meet at LWAG: For Visitors Living with Dementia – Saturday 2 December 11:30am-12:30pm
People with dementia are invited on this tour and will engage in a forum discussion through looking at art. A trained facilitator will highlight themes, artists and exhibitions through a shared exploration of the artworks on display.

UWA Chief Cultural Officer Professor Ted Snell said culture and the arts was something everyone in the community should be able to enjoy.

“In launching Inclusive Arts Week, UWA aims to celebrate the artistic talent and creativity that is so abundant in Western Australia, making it accessible to everyone, particularly those in the community where a disability may prevent them from experiencing all that culture and the arts has to offer,” Professor Snell said.

“We believe art is universal in its appeal and should be made available and able to be enjoyed by everyone. We are working hard to create opportunities through ongoing partnerships with organisations such as DADAA to achieve this.”

To view the full UWA Inclusive Arts Week program visit https://www.lwgallery.uwa.edu.au/events/inclusive-arts-week

Media references

Jess Reid (UWA Media and Public Relations Advisor) (+61 8) 6488 6876
Caine Chennatt (Manager, Audience Development, UWA Cultural Precinct) (+61 8) 6488 7477
Pier Leach (Executive Assistant, UWA Cultural Precinct) (+61 8) 6488 3613