AusLeisure

Eastern Riverina Arts has unveiled PLATFORM, a multi-sensory mobile art installation space adapted from a 20-foot shipping container, that allows festival and event organisers to easily integrate accessibility into their planning, and increase participation and visibility of both artists and people with disability at community events.

With one in five Australians identifying with disability, hiring PLATFORM means event organisers can integrate accessibility simply into their planning, and increase participation and visibility of both artists and people with disability at community events.

Now available for hire, PLATFORM is purpose-built within a modified shipping container. Configurable as a sensory space, chill-out area, exhibition space or small stage, throughout the course of an event, festival-goers can visit the space to engage the senses or take some time out in a calming environment.

A complete sensory installation, the space features soft music, slow moving lights, interactive tactile objects and weighted blankets. A portable accessible deluxe bathroom is available to accompany PLATFORM, ensuring Festivals and large events can be inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities.

With an interior designed by Bliss Cavanagh, a sensory artist and designer, PhD researcher and passionate advocate for mental health, PLATFORM is an accessible and enchanting experience for people of all ages and abilities who might otherwise find that attending a festival or event is beyond their reach.

Executive Director of Eastern Riverina Arts Executive Director, Dr. Tim Kurylowicz advises “participation in the arts is a foundational right. So much cultural activity in our region is led by community and volunteer groups. PLATFORM enables us to meet them where they are at, to enhance the great events they are putting on and start them on a journey to thinking more about accessibility and inclusiveness. We have designed this project to have an ongoing legacy, to help festival organisers put accessibility at the forefront of their events.”

PLATFORM is also being used as a vehicle to showcase the work of artists with disabilities to festival audiences. Artists can perform in or curate the space, giving festival-goers the opportunity to experience the work of artists with disability.

The PLATFORM team will also work with festival organisers to increase accessibility event-wide, such as disability awareness training or checklists, to help build the capacity of communities to better deliver inclusive and accessible events that anyone can attend.

In June 2020, Eastern Riverina Arts will host PLATFORM Live, an online one-day event featuring performance, video, art and discussions by artists with disabilities.

PLATFORM is an initiative of Eastern Riverina Arts in collaboration with IDEAS (Information on Disability Education and Awareness Services). The project has been funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency’s Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program.

For more information on PLATFORM or PLATFORM Live, visit www.platformriverina.com.

Related Articles

6th February 2020 - Australia’s latest Poolpod accessibility hoist installed at Shepparton Aquamoves

2nd August 2019 - Hamilton Waterworld and Central Library score silver accessibility ratings

18th June 2019 - Live Nation and Ticketmaster announce partnership with Dylan Alcott’s Get Skilled Access accessibility initiative

14th March 2019 - Horsham Aquatic Centre upgrades revised to include accessibility ramp

5th December 2018 - Sydney Opera House improves accessibility to the Joan Sutherland Theatre

2nd May 2018 - Guide Dogs Australia recognise Etihad Stadium for community accessibility

28th March 2018 - West Coast Eagles aim to enhance accessibility at Optus Stadium

11th November 2014 - ACT Parks and Conservation Service launches new accessibility program

19th March 2013 - Grants for conference organisers to improve accessibility

1st January 2013 - Sydney New Year’s Eve embraces accessibility

20th December 2011 - Wellington plans city-wide accessibility

26th November 2011 - Sydney launches international standard tennis courts with wheelchair accessibility

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.