Arts Access News

Hello all, welcome to the October edition of the E-news. I must say that I'm really enjoying being a 'blogger', and there's always great news and events coming up. The November edition will be posted a tad later than usual, as I will be embarking on a three-week stint at the Castlemaine public library. Over the past two years, I have been studying information management, and now I've all but finished. The only thing that remains is to go on an Industrial Experience Placement, for which they're shipping me off to the Castlemaine library. I'll do what I can, but the next edition will probably be out sometime in the second week of December. Now for the October edition of the Arts Access E-news, enjoy.


Farewell Ruth Whittingham

After nearly 11 years, our wonderful Artistic Program Manager, Ruth Whittingham is leaving us at the end of November. With her boundless passion for community development, amazing talent for building partnerships and her extraordinary sense of style, Ruth is perfectly matched for her new position as the Community Inclusion and Capacity Development Worker with Department of Human Services, North Western Region.

Ruth has been a major contributor to the arts and disability sector during her time with Arts Access Victoria. Apart from overseeing our dynamic Arts program, Ruth has been integral in strengthening our role as a peak body developing initiatives such as the Arts Studio Network, Inclusive Arts Training and the Deaf Arts Network. Over the years Ruth has also developed a range of regional initiatives which fulfilled our state wide brief. Other major achievements include the development of Weave Movement Theatre, long term sustainable arts projects in regional areas and the 5 year partnership with Breastscreen Victoria involving 150 women from diverse CALD backgrounds. Ruth has also supported the professional development of many hundreds of artists with disabilities and promoted their work far and wide.

On behalf of everyone at Arts Access and the broader community, a million thanks, Ruth. We will miss your energy, quirky sense of humour and generosity of spirit. Every warmest wish for the future.

Criena Gehrke
Executive Director, Arts Access Victoria


The Other Film Festival 2008- it's a happening thing!

We are proud to announce that we have received support from City of Melbourne, Film Victoria, and the Australian Film Commission for the 2008 festival. Thanks to their generous commitment, we can now commence the festival process. Our call for entries will be announced soon, so bookmark www.otherfilmfestival.com. The festival will be held at Melbourne Museum in September 2008. We'll also be welcoming Rick Randall back on board as the Artistic Director of the Festival in October.