Strule Awarded First Arts And Disability Equality Charter
Strule Arts Centre in Omagh is delighted to have been awarded the Arts and Disability Equality Charter.
The recognition took place at the inaugural Arts and Disability Equality Award ceremony in Belfast on Tuesday 28th June when a plaque was presented to the Centre.
The Charter award was made in recognition of work which Strule Arts Centre has undertaken to provide access for disabled people to the arts, either as audience members, artists, participants or employees. A dedicated Arts and Disability Advisory Group was established to advise on the inclusion of disabled people in all aspects of the arts, while a development plan was put in place to increase the presentation of disability in the Centre’s programming. Assessment for the Charter recognition took place over the past twelve months, during which a panel of assessors examined five areas of operation of the arts centre. These included the accessibility of all aspects of the centre to people with disabilities, participation by people with disabilities in the arts and in the audiences for events, as well as the development of policies and the employment of people with a disability.
Speaking at the first ever Arts and Disability awards the Arts Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín said:
“The Arts and Disability Charter aims to increase access to the arts for people with disabilities and has evolved over the past number of years. It now offers an assessment and awards scheme for arts venues, providing support and advice on standards. The Arts & Disability Equality Charter Awards event marks the first Charter Awards to be made to arts venues.
These Awards are just a part of the process – it is the change that each venue has made on the way, and will continue to make, that is so important. This is all about opening up the arts and getting the arts fit for deaf and disabled people.”
Strule Arts Centre was the only venue outside Belfast to receive the Arts and Disability Equality Charter Plaque, and the only venue to be awarded the charter for 2 years.
Council Chairman, Cllr Frankie Donnelly welcomed the achievement of the Arts and Disability Equality Charter and commended the dedicated work of the Board of Management and staff of Strule Arts Centre, and the Arts and Disability Advisory Group, towards receiving the recognition. “Strule Arts Centre is a flagship facility of Omagh District Council, and one of the primary objectives of its development was to make all aspects of the arts accessible to everyone in the district and beyond. This Charter award is recognition of the Council’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can fully participate in the social and cultural life of the community”, he said.
Speaking after the ceremony, Visitors Services Manager, George Bradshaw said:
“We, at Strule Arts Centre, are continually working hard to provide an excellent service for all out customers and to serve their access requirements. It is an honour to have the hard work of our staff and Arts and Disability Advisory Group recognised in this way. We will be working hard to continue on this path, with a view to gaining the Plaque of Excellence.”
The venue’s Arts and Disability Advisory Group meets regularly and new members are always welcome. If you would be interested in joining this group please contact the Visitors Services Manager on 028 8224 7831 for more details.
The Arts and Disability Equality Charter is an initiative of Adapt, Arts & Disability Forum and Open Arts. The principal funder is the National Lottery via the Arts Council of Northern Ireland with partnership from Lloyds TSB Foundation.
