Friday, 29 November 2013
On Tuesday 26 November at the 2013 National Disability Awards Ceremony was held in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield presented the No Boundaries Project with the Excellence in Improving Social Participation Award in recognition of the project helping artists with disability build ongoing connections with their audiences and the broader community.
The project was developed and presented in Penrith, with Cindi Drennan of illuminart as one of the initiators and the creative director of the project, supported by the illuminart team and process as one of the key partners of the project.
The judges acknowledged that the project has brought the work of artists with disability to the attention of the wider arts community and presents their work in highly positive ways, leaving many No Boundaries artists with ongoing connections to their audiences. Penrith City Council has incorporated the No Boundaries project into its disability action plan and is committed to its continuation.
The judges applauded the council’s commitment to inclusion through the No Boundaries initiative over a long period, and its investment in evaluating the project, which found participants emerged from the program feeling confident, acknowledged and proud of their work.
The ceremony was hosted by Senator The Hon Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services with Tim Ferguson as Masters of Ceremonies for the evening. Guests were entertained throughout the night with moving performances from Rachel Leahcar, Paul Mately and Sue-Ellen Shook and Emotion 21.
No Boundaries is a collaboration between Penrith City Council, Illuminart, Accessible Arts NSW, Sylvanvale Foundation, people with disability and professional artists and organisations across the community.
http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards/2013-award-recipients/
No Boundaries Project at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on 21 September. This video of the show experience was created by Hajni Tulogdi and is included on the DVD about the project available in 2013.