Minister for the Arts, George Souris, today announced the 13 NSW artists with disability that will share in a total of $120,202 for professional development opportunities.

Mr Souris said the artists would also participate in a forum at Accessible Arts which will help them to make the most out of their chosen professional development activity.

He said the NSW Government is providing the funding through its Amplify your art program administered by Accessible Arts.

“The Amplify your art program supports artists with disability to live creative lives and to fulfil their artistic aspirations,” Mr Souris said.

“The funding is part of the NSW Government’s two-year, $1.5 million funding commitment to boost access to arts and cultural activities for people with disability across NSW.

“These grants help foster a lively arts culture in NSW, promote creative expression, and support audience engagement and learning.

“This funding will support a range of professional development opportunities for the artists including mentoring, residencies and training in new skills.”

Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka, said this was a great initiative for people living with disability to unlock their creative abilities.

“Art is a fantastic way to express yourself and I am so glad that it is being made easy to access for everyone in our community.

“This is a great example of how the NSW Government wants to see everyone living life their way – including those with disability.”

The Amplify your art grant recipients are:

Writer Christine Johnson (Rozelle) will receive $8,385 to undertake an editorial mentorship on the draft of her first novel, The Chinaman’s Horse, with a professional editor through the NSW Writers’ Centre.
Tenor, Richard Lane (Moss Vale) will receive $10,000 for an opera singing professional development opportunity to work with singing coaches and teachers in the UK on his voice development.
Dancer and champion pole dancer, Deb Roach (Seven Hills) will receive $10,000 undertake a Limbitless Potential circus residency with Greentop Circus and Bendy (UK), to develop her skills as a circus performer.
Performer and artist, Kevin Meagher (Willoughby) will receive $10,000 for Curatio Viscus: An Artist Exchange, mentored by David Capra in multimedia arts
Theatre practitioner, Goldele Rayment (Neutral Bay) will receive $8,653 to be mentored by leading theatre artists through Milk Crate Theatre to develop her skills as a director.
Songwriter and musician, David Mason (Potts Point) will receive $10,000 to work with mentors Paul Mac and Mic Guchy, to develop his editing, production and post-production skills.
Emerging dancer and theatre artist, Chris Bunton (St Clair) will receive $10,000 to undertake dance and theatre training programs and work experience with Kay Armstrong at Connect Studios, Parramatta.
Musician and music teacher, Charlie McMahon (Faulconbridge) will receive $6,900 to train in hard disc recording and digital media.
Emerging performance artist, Karli Munn (Marrickville) will receive $7,964 to mentored by Frances Barrett and undertake a professional development program at Bundanon and with Pacitti Company in UK.
Musician, Liz Martin (Erskineville) will receive $10,000 to collaborate with, and be mentored by Eric Chapus (Endorphin) to develop advanced music production skills.
Zine author, Greg Sindel (Hornsby) will receive $8,300 to learn claymation and film making skills with artist/mentor, Leigh Rigozzi, for his project, Shooting Moby Dick.
Emerging visual artist, Eugenie Lee (Pyrmont) will receive $10,000 to undertake professional development, focusing on the link between art and medicine in relation to pain, with Professor Lorimer Moseley at the University of South Australia.
Emerging dance artist and film maker, Daniel Monks (Woollahra) will receive $10,000 to undertake a mentorship with choreographer, Philip Channells, and attend a dance masterclass series.

The Amplify your art Program is part of the NSW Arts and Disability Partnership between Arts NSW and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, to promote inclusion in the arts and cultural sector for people with disability.

Amplify your art is administered by Accessible Arts on behalf of the NSW Government as part of this partnership.