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We are delighted to announce the winner of the Access Arts Achievement Award for 2020 is… Alexandra Ellen!
Alexandra Ellen will receive $10,000 in funding to produce her performance piece, ‘Conversations with My Walker’. The work is a theatrical exploration of Alexandra’s evolving relationship with her disability. With her wheelie-walker Betsy, personified by another performing artist, Alexandra plays, pleads and prances across the stage as she deals with themes of internalised ableism, shame and disability pride.
It’s been a big year for Alexandra who was also the recipient of an Access Arts SAFE Grant and an Undercover Artist INCUBATE Grant.
Alexandra will work with mentors from indelibilityarts to complete the creative development, writing and performance of ‘Conversations with My Walker’ with a hope that the production will be included in the 2021 Undercover Artist Festival.
Due to the high quality of applicants in 2020, we have also recognised a second artist with a Highly Commended award. Ruby Donohoe will receive $5,000 to develop her performance piece, JERK, which explores her experience living with epilepsy. The title of the performance is drawn from the small, involuntary movements experienced before and during a seizure.
Ruby attended the launch of our latest visual arts exhibition, Journey to the Other Side, and was presented her award by Access Arts Chair The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley.
L-R: Access Arts CEO Pat Swell, Access Arts patron and Life Member Peter Vance, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Ruby Donohoe, The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley, CPL CEO Rhys Kennedy.
“I am so humbled and thrilled to have CPL’s support. I’m really looking forward to going into development for my new dance-theatre work JERK and cannot wait to share my findings,” Ruby said.
“Without these sorts of grants, sharing my story and connecting with others would not be possible.”
The Access Arts Achievement Award and special contribution is sponsored by CPL – Choice, Passion, Life, one of Queensland’s leading disability service providers.
Access Arts acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship to land, water and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
Patron of Access Arts
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland
Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland