An international spotlight on inclusive arts and culture

Stammtisch Artist Exchange – a meeting of like minds

The Stammtisch Artist Exchange, hosted by Brotfabrik, gave artists from Australia and Berlin a chance to meet and discuss their work.

Australian and Berlin-based artists in deep discussion as part of Stammtisch. Photographer: Jacqueline Homer

“We started our visit in a gallery space which was exhibiting a black and white photography retrospective of Micha Winkler’s photographs of the city of Berlin between 1984 to present, and continued our conversations over food and drinks in the pub. The Stammtisch provided the opportunity to learn about Brotfabrik and the artists they engage with, but we also learnt more about each others’ practice as the visiting artists from Australia. We shared stories about our work and the journeys we had been on as professional artists setting up our practice, and some of the challenges we had encountered along the way including both artistic- and access-related barriers.”

Australian theatre performer, Belinda Locke

Interactive art workshop and the launch of Berlinklusion

The festival also included public events, such as the Art Workshop and Launch of Berlinklusion – Network for Accessibility in Arts & Culture. The workshop – Call and Response – was an artistic collaboration between Australian contemporary dancer Anna Seymour and Berlin-based artists Jovana Komenic, Kirstin Broussard and Dirk Sorge. This interactive installation explored multiple perspectives through the use of sound, movement and visual art. Through “sensory stations”, participants were able to interact and create ephemeral works that explored the theme of connectivity and difference as an engine for creativity.

One of the sensory stations at the Call and Response workshop.

 

“Everyone found multiple ways to participate and connect no matter what their interest or ability. There was a palpable sense of play and community in the room facilitated by all the “stations” we created. From an artistic perspective this exchange was an incredible opportunity to cross borders, collaborate in a myriad of new and exciting ways and to connect with other creative artists, activists and practitioners. Both our practice and our hearts were opened and expanded. The new friendships and potential collaborations that have been formed. The conversations about inclusive practice that are continuing to take place all over Berlin as a result of this exchange.
The feedback from the Berlin community has been overwhelmingly positive and already new initiatives are being discussed that relate directly back to this exchange.”

Belinklusion consultant and artist, Jovana Komenic

Chelle Destefano draws Rohan Brooks’ portrait at one of the sensory stations at the Call and Response workshop.

Meeting Place – the centrepiece of the Arts Exchange

The core event of the 10-day festival was the Meeting Place forum. This was the fifth Meeting Place forum to be hosted by Arts Access Australia, but the first to be held internationally.

The disability-led forum was accessible in five languages: English, German, British and German Sign language and easy language. It was an incredibly complex feat, and it was amazing to see the support for such inclusivity.

AAA CEO Meagan Shand speaks at Meeting Place, the central event of the Australia & Berlin Arts Exchange. Photographer: Jacqueline Homer

It was particularly interesting to note that although Australian artists and audiences with disability still face many challenges, we are actually leading the way with many initiatives. In Australia, for example, disability access and inclusion plans are a requirement for state cultural institutions – yet there is no equivalent international standard. These differences highlight just how important it is that we have conversations about inclusive arts and culture on an international stage.

Sarah Houbolt performs at the Australia & Berlin Arts Exchange Opening Ceremony. Photographer:Jane Morris

 

“I was thrilled to be involved in Meeting Place Berlin as it was an opportunity to share information and insights into best practice. It was truly amazing to have conversations about accessibility in the arts across the globe and realise Australia’s contributions and strength of our artists with disability creating both social change and arts products. I was blown away by how all of the presenters at Meeting Place Berlin adopted doing their own audio descriptions for their visual material during their presentations, to create universal access. This is the first time I have seen this happen and I felt so proud to be part of the event that sets this significant standard.”

Circus and physical performer, Sarah Houbolt

Chelle Destefano stands in front of an exhibition of her works in Berlin.

 

“The international Meeting Place was an amazing, pivotal turning point for us artists and Arts Access Australia. We have started to make changes that will add value to Australian arts and deepen international connections. I liked most how we were able to speak about our arts giving leverage to how access can improve and how hard we all work to get to where we are. I also enjoyed Klick as it was an impact session that gave many eye-openers on the issues we are all experiencing with access to arts and how art represents us. It bonded many of us. I can say that Meeting Place has reached a pivotal turning point in growth and I am so proud to be part of this as a deaf artist who knows no boundaries.”

Visual artist, Chelle Destefano

Meeting Place culminated in a closing performance from Australian drummer Andrew Hewitt and Melbourne indie rock band Rudely Interrupted. Videos of the forum will be available on YouTube in the coming weeks.

Thank you for the support!

I would like to thank our co-host, Berlinklusion – Network for Accessibility in Arts and Culture, and acknowledge the support of the Australian Government through their Australia Now program, and Berlin partners Förderband e.V. – Kulturinitiative Berlin and Diversity.Arts.Culture – Berliner Projektbüro für Diversitätsentwicklung, a project by Kulturprojekte Berlin that is funded by the Berlin senate and aims to foster diversity in the Berlin cultural sector.

Finally, I must thank our nine artists who flew to Berlin for the event. Without your passion, ideas and creativity, none of this would have been possible. We are still crowdfunding to provide extra financial support to eight of these artists, who required accessibility support such as AUSLAN interpreters, carers and accessible accommodation to be able to attend the event and ensure they could participate equally in the festival. A massive thank you to those who have already supported the campaign – we have less than $1,000 to raise to meet our target of $10,000! If you haven’t pledged yet, TODAY is the last day. So please, show your support for our artists and advocates and pledge now.