‘Culture is Inclusion’ is the topic of the day as the nation’s leading forum on arts, culture and disability takes the stage at the NGA

Aunty June Riemer, the Deputy CEO First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) Australia, has been announced as the second keynote speaker for the upcoming Meeting Place 2019 forum, Australia’s leading annual forum on arts, culture and disability.

Speaking at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) on the second day of the disability-led forum, Aunty June will deliver an address entitled ‘Culture is Inclusion’ to the national gathering of artists, arts leaders, arts workers and other key stakeholders in the sector.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have always been inclusive of everyone in our communities and the concept of labelling people is a colonial lens of othering people, creating difference and fear,” Aunty June said, when asked what message she hoped the audience would take away from her address.

“Events like Meeting Place acknowledge the empowerment of individuals to have a voice through different art mediums, which is beneficial for health and wellbeing,” she added. “These kinds of events are a further instrument in creating awareness of inclusiveness for people with disability and to be able to participate on behalf of First Peoples gives further acknowledgement of our stories and art are powerful instruments in giving access to all.”

Katie Russell, the National Gallery’s Head of Programs, Education, Research Library and Archives, said the Gallery was pleased to host Arts Access Australia for this important forum discussing access and inclusion.

“The Meeting Place forum highlights best practice, showcases the contribution of people with a disability to the cultural life of Australia and demonstrates a future where choice and agency will support all people to fulfil their potential,” she said.

Following her keynote address, Aunty June will join a panel discussion with Tilly Davey (Hands on Studio), Penny Pollard (Belconnen Arts Centre), Joshua Campton (artist) and Michael Chan (Back to Back Theatre) to discuss their experience of inclusion through their own cultural lens.

Registrations are now open for Meeting Place 2019, which takes place 1 to 3 December in leading arts and cultural venues across Canberra and features some of Australia’s most culturally ambitious artists with disability.

Meeting Place is the signature event of Arts Access Australia, the national peak body advocating for the rights of people with disability in the arts. The 2019 forum is supported by local host and Creative Partner Belconnen Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Australia, the Australia Council for the Arts and the ACT Government.

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Contact

Yvette Tulloch

Communications Manager, Arts Access Australia

Email: media@artsaccessaustralia.org

About Aunty June Riemer

Aunty June Riemer is the Deputy CEO at First Peoples Disability Network (AUSTRALIA). She is a proud Dhungutti woman from the North Coast of NSW.

Throughout Aunty June’s career and also in her personal life she has championed and fought selflessly for the rights of Aboriginal people. She leads and inspires a national dedicated team and is trusted and respected by Elders across communities.

Having worked in the community sector for over 40 years, Aunty June shares her knowledge in an advisory capacity across multiple boards and reference groups, ensuring the rights and culture of Aboriginal people are represented, respected and protected.

Aunty June has represented Australia’s First People with disability alongside other Indigenous leaders at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva. Within this role she has nurtured emerging leaders and supported them.

Her passion and loyalty for change is driven from the nurturing she had from her own Elders from a young age. It is this history that continues her journey.