DISABILITY ARTS INSHROPSHIRE

Annual Report

2002 - 2003

This report is available by request in:• Large Print• Braille• Disc

Contact:

Mike LaywardDirectorDAShPimley BarnsSundorne RoadShrewsburySY4 4SA

T: 01743 272625F: 01743 271516Text Phone: 07732 614592

Email: info@dasharts.orgWeb: www.dasharts.org

CONTENTS

Page 1 Chairperson’s report

Page 2 - 4 Director’s Report

Page 5 Statistics, Advice and Information

Page 6 - 9 Auditors report and Accounts

Page 10 Directors / Trustees of DASh

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

The big change in 2002 was to turn ourselves into aCharity and a limited Company, which was a brave decision.However, I have every faith in this venture and thinkand hope that we all do.

Many projects, diverse and interesting haveoccurred successfully over the past twelve months we havebeen adventurous and daring, we have increased ourmembers, learnt new ideas from various courses andfound many of our artists claiming more regular work.

The future looks bright for DASh and Disabled Artistsin Shropshire.

Ruth Kaye May 2003

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT

This has been a very exciting first year for DASh as anindependent organisation. We have a strong Management Board, made up of a majority of Disabled Artists, our own premises shared with Blue eyed Soul and Mosaic Arts ( an exciting venture on it’s own ), Core funding from Arts Council EnglandAnd developing work in visual and performing Arts.

Our work in 02-03 breaks down into 4 areas:• Visual arts• Performing arts• Research• Information and Advice

VISUAL ARTSThis has been ( and will continue to be our main area of work ) our main area of work during the year, with one project ASTORIA finishing and a new project starting DIGITAL NOW.

ASTORIA was our Visual Art and Creative Writing project across Shropshire. We created 3 imaginary islands in the mid-Atlantic and created the micro and the macro of the Society. Workshop groups were based in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth / Telford and Ludlow with outreach created by a mail artist.200 people took part in the project and it led to a successful exhibition at the QUBE in Oswestry.Lead Artists employed were :Tanya Raabe, Ruth Kaye and Alison Saint

DIGITAL NOW is our European Year of Disabled Peoplefunded project. The project is in two parts:1. We have employed a Digital Artist, Tanya Raabe to

work with two groups of Disabled Artists in Oswestry and Shrewsbury to learn the skills of Digital Art and create Digital Artworks to be exhibited on the DASh website in March 03 .

2. We have formed a Website editing group who are learning the skills of Website management from Geoff Ardill and will revamp the site, update and launch the new site with the DIGITAL NOW online exhibition.

18 people are involved in the project.

Future plans in the Visual Arts include the refurbishing of a large Accessible space at the Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury to create a Gallery for Disabled Artist which will include employing a Visual arts Development worker. Funding permitting the Gallery will open in Summer 04.

PERFORMING ARTS

We ran our first Community Inclusive CARNIVAL in Ludlow at the Assembly Rooms in July 02, which was a great successwith 90 people taking part in workshops and the procession. We have continued our partnership with Ludlow Assembly Rooms this year with our Carnival camp and procession in May, being the main event of their tenth birthday celebrations. We have also run a traineeship for Disabled Artists in carnival skills, as part of this project.

RESEARCHWe have continued our research into Accessible transport by creating a unique pilot project BAAA ( Bridgnorth Accessible Arts for All ) with Bridgnorth District Council and Artsalive.

This involved offering accessible transport ( taxis ) to four village hall arts event around Bridgnorth District for £1 return door to door. The pilot has been a success with 31 BAAA places taken and will be repeated in Winter 03, with more on the ground work to promote the project. We have produced a documentary on BAAA with students at TCAT.We will also be initiating NOSHAA ( North Shrops Arts for All ) this Winter, based on the same model as BAAA. Our future plans for Accessible transport will be to extend the scheme across Shropshire and Herefordshire in partnership with Artsalive.

INFORMATION & ADVICEWe have continued to produce our monthly mailing of jobs and opportunities to 14 Artists.We have also given written and telephone advice to Individuals andOrganisations across the West Midlands. OTHER WORKWe have continued to develop our work with WMDAF ( West MidlandsDisability Arts Forum ) and will be running three seminars on Disability Arts with WMDAF and Birmingham Arts Marketing in June 03. These seminars will be for venues, arts officers and Arts Organisations across the West Midlands.

We have supported Jayni Anderton in the creation of the WAY AHEAD a training course in workshop leading for Disabled Artist.DASh is represented on the Boards of Blue Eyed Soul and Mosaic Arts, and is on the steering group of the QUBE.

DIRECTORS / TRUSTEES OF DASh

Ruth Kaye - ChairSue Bott - SecretaryIan Wainwright - TreasurerJayni AndertonSylvia EarthyDavid SmithJoy Tudor

Mike Layward - Company Secretary

STAFF

Mike Layward - Director