A 12-week program, aimed at removing barriers to creativity for people with a disability will take pride of place in Newcastle City Hall from next month.
A Sense of the City, the brainchild of Maitland-based disability support provider Mai-Wel, promises to be an inclusive, interactive and collaborative program for creative storytellers living with a disability in Newcastle and the Hunter region.
Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry pros and like-minded creatives to learn about visual and sound production, using industry standard programs and equipment to share their perspectives on what they love about Newcastle.
“Participants will be supported by professional mentors each week in using technology, computer programs to capture their stories through video, sound recording and art making to express how they feel connected to Newcastle,” Mai-Wel’s manager of creative arts Katrina Sharman told Newcastle Live.
Katrina added that the program is as much about shining a light on local creative talent as it is about taking away barriers to creativity for people living with a disability.
“Our vision is to make sure that people with a disability have those opportunities within the art scene that every other artist gets and for them to have a platform to express their creative abilities,” Katrina said.
The 12-week program will culminate in a ticketed showcase event for friends, family and members of the community that promises to be a colourful, bold and sensory-stimulating experience of sound, lighting and visuals and Katrina said the aim was to make A Sense of the City an annual event.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that City of Newcastle was proud to support initiatives that promote inclusivity and creativity within the city.
“This program aims to create pathways for young people who have different abilities to develop creativity and self-awareness through participation and skill development,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It also provides a wonderful opportunity to activate City Hall with a community-based, youth-focused activity, both during the workshops and at the end of the program when participants showcase the results of their newfound skills in front of an audience.”
A Sense of the City will be held each Tuesday for 12 weeks from Tuesday 16 February at Newcastle City Hall. Head here for more information.
