Develop ongoing opportunities for artists to be able to display work publicly and create a dynamic art culture that will lead to greater community inclusion in the arts.

What is art circle?

The Showcasing Ability Exhibition, 2009

The Art circle project came about after Yooralla’s inaugural art show “Showcasing Ability” which was held to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) in 2009.  Over 80 entries were displayed at Yooralla’s Brooklyn services and awards were given to six artists whose works displayed:

• Celebration of individuality and diversity
• Displaying a unique vision of the world
• Showing an innovative use of techniques and materials

The show demonstrated a keen interest in the arts across the organisation and enthusiasm by clients and staff to develop ongoing  opportunities for artists to be able to display work publically and create a dynamic art culture that would lead to greater community inclusion in the arts.

The Art Initiative Project

The committee who convened Showcasing Ability, went on to meet and seek funding and approval for an ongoing Yooralla arts initiative. Of particular importance to the initiative was to engage Yooralla people in the arts and to create partnerships, into the future.
It was decided that a website was a great place to start the art initiative, with projects and an exhibition proposed for 2011.

And so the story goes on.

The Art circle website

The website was set up as a means for both profiling individual artist’s works and collaborative projects.

The individual artists will be able to upload work onto the “ARTWORKS” page, which includes artist profile and images of their work.

The “PROJECTS” page endeavours to profile collaborative projects as they evolve and at their completion.

The website was launched as a part of the 2010 “IT Enables: Life, Choice, Aspiration” conference at the State Library for IDPWD.

The future

By the artists being able to put their artwork up onto the website they will be opening up opportunities for not only the public to view their work but for the artists to own their space.

Artists will also be represented on the Art circle committee and involved in the planning of future development of the website (stage 2), planning projects, seeking funding, engaging partners…