Immediate Release 25 th June 2008
Lord Mayor’s Community Access Day
Saturday, 23 August 2008, 10 am – 4.30 pm
The 2008 Biennale of Sydney, Australia’s leading festival of contemporary art, opens up the world of art for people with disabilities when they join with Accessible Arts to celebrate Lord Mayor’s Community Access
Day on Saturday, 23 rd August, at Pier 2/3, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW. The
Biennale of Sydney is a long-term partner of Accessible Arts, the NSW peak arts & disability peak organisation, and the event is considered a vital aspect of the Biennale of Sydney’s public program.
Since the Biennale opened on 18 June showing the work of over 180 world-renowned artists, around 175,000 people have visited the festival, which remains on show until Sunday, 7 September at venues across Sydney.
The Lord Mayor’s Community Access Day reaches out to an even wider audience, showing how contemporary art truly is for everyone. Following on from the success of last year’s event, the Biennale of
Sydney will again open up contemporary art to people with disabilities through special activities, tours and experiences. Free wheelchair friendly transport between venues will also be available on the day.
The daylong event, to be launched by Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, will unlock the exhibition’s key themes and artworks for people with disabilities and their carers. Presenters will illustrate sound of a video installation to the deaf, offer visual interpretation of artwork to the blind, and provide physical access into exhibitions. It will offer evocative audio descriptions and guided tours accompanied by Auslan interpreters. The FREE tours are designed to make art accessible to all by including tactile experiences, and easy to understand descriptions for people with intellectual disabilities at each of the venues.
Sancha Donald, CEO Accessible Arts says, “The Biennale of Sydney continues to show how contemporary art is something that all people can enjoy. By once again co-presenting this special event, it encourages and supports access for people with disabilities and those who are limited to experience the arts in other capacities. By providing accessible tours and transport to the most cutting-edge contemporary art from around the world, the Biennale of Sydney is setting a strong
example for making the arts accessible to all.”
“It has never been more competitive to attract audiences to arts events and the Biennale of Sydney has demonstrated leadership in encompassing artistic excellence whilst retaining a commitment to accessibility. Through this event, the Biennale enhance access to the 1 in 5 members of the Australian community who have a disability. I congratulate them and look forward to celebrating the Lord Mayor’s
Community Access Day.”
These programs will be presented in the three major venues – Pier 2/3 (Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay); Museum of
Contemporary Art (West Circular Quay) and The Art Gallery of New South Wales (The Domain). The FREE
accessible bus will be circulating between Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of
NSW and Pier 2/3 throughout the day enabling patrons to attend tours at all three venues.
Cont…

WHEN: Saturday, 23 August 2008 – 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
Auslan Interpreted Launch: 10.00 am – Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP at Pier 2/3
TOURS:
* Pier 2/3: 10.30 am Auslan tour of Pier 2/3. 12.30 pm Audio described tour of Pier 2/3
* Museum of Contemporary Art: 11.00 am Audio described and Auslan tour of selected works at the
Biennale at the MCA. 2.00 pm Audio described and Auslan tour of selected works at the Biennale at the MCA.
* Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Domain: 11.00 am Tour for people with intellectual disabilities.
1.30 pm Auslan tour of Art Gallery. 3.30 pm Audio described tour of Art Gallery.
COST: FREE
ACCESS INFORMATION: For full access information on each of the venues please visit the Biennale website under ‘Exhibition’ and ‘Venue’ or click here: http://www.bos2008.com/app/biennale/venues .
Or contact Accessible Arts on 02 9251 6499 (ext 6), email amclaren@aarts.net.au
.
BOOKINGS: For further information and bookings contact: Accessible Arts 02 9251 6499 (ext 6) or email amclaren@aarts.net.au
Presented by the Biennale of Sydney, the City of Sydney, Accessible Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art and
Public Programs 2008 Art Gallery of New South Wales. AUSLAN interpreters from Deaf Society of NSW.
Audio describers from Vision Australia.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information or media enquiries regarding access to the Lord Mayor’s Community Access Day
(including accessible bus service), please contact Alison McLaren, Accessible Arts 02 9251 6499 (ext 6) or email amclaren@aarts.net.au
.
For media enquiries contact: Nadia de Ceglie 0414 741 089 or email ndeceglie@aarts.net.au
.
For Biennale-specific media enquiries contact: Imogen Corlette 0410 520 776 or email: imogencorlettepr@gmail.com
For further information about the Biennale of Sydney go to: www.bos2008.com
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About Accessible Arts
Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation across New South Wales. Accessible Arts promotes and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in arts and cultural activities either as audience members; through attending galleries, theatres, museums and festivals; or as participants in art, drama, music, dance and multimedia activities; and by developing as professional artists. Over the years Accessible Arts has worked in assisting arts organisations such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Art Fair, Sydney Writers Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Film Festival. To keep up to date with upcoming news and arts events subscribe to the free Accessible Arts monthly newsletter at www.aarts.net.au
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Accessible Arts: Pier 4 The Wharf Hickson Road Walsh Bay NSW 2000 tel: 02 9251 6499 fax: 02 92516422 email: info@aarts.net.au
web: www.aarts.net.au