New program alert! Introducing Activated Arts

Wed, 7 October 2020

A new radio show and podcast is aiming to turn on listeners to the unique, compelling and unconventional creativity of artists with disability.

[Image: An image of presenter Anthea Williams.]

Activated Arts is a 30-minute program that explores and showcases the extraordinary talent and distinctive work of professional arts practitioners with disability and/or who are Deaf.

Playing twice monthly on Sydney’s Radio 2RPH and available as a podcast on all major platforms, Activated Arts is an initiative of 2RPH in partnership with Accessible Arts, NSW’s peak arts and disability organisation. The first show will go to air at 2:30pm on Friday 9 October 2020 and will repeat a fortnight later. The podcast will be available on the first Friday of every month.

The program’s presenter and producer is director, writer and disability advocate Anthea Williams. Every month Anthea will be joined by outstanding artists and arts workers from right across the creative spectrum for entertaining, enlightening, and provocative discussions about art, culture and disability.

Each program will explore a specific topic, bringing in guests to unpack that topic in creative and surprising ways, while discussing their work and arts practices. Each program will also include a round-up of relevant news and events.

Anthea Williams: “Disability arts has been described as the last great avantgarde arts movement and for good reason. By having to break through so many barriers, artists with disability challenge, intrigue and delight us with their fresh perspectives and unconventional practice. It’s tremendously exciting to be sharing their stories, their struggles and their triumphs through the Activated Arts program. I can’t wait for people to switch on and transform their understanding of creativity.”

2RPH Managing Director Sancha Donald: “A large portion of our listeners are people who live with disability and so our programming reflects the diverse interests of our audience. The intersection of arts, culture and disability is a fascinating topic to explore and we look forward to Anthea engaging our listeners with great content about intriguing people and issues.”

Accessible Arts CEO Kerry Comerford: “Generating awareness of artists with disability and their work is an important part of advancing their careers and creating a more diverse and inclusive arts and cultural sector. Activated Arts also provides a valuable platform for members of the arts and disability community to hear their voices and listen to great content that relates directly to their practice as professional or aspiring artists.”

Activated Arts will be broadcast on 2RPH every fortnight on Friday at 2:30pm (Sydney: 1224AM or 100.5FM | Newcastle/Lower Hunter: 100.5FM). The program is also available as a podcast on all major platforms as well as the 2RPH website (www.2rph.org.au) and the Accessible Arts website (www.aarts.net.au).

2RPH broadcasts 168 hours of radio per week from its Glebe-based station and has over 100,000 weekly listeners.

 The first episode of Activated Arts will go to air at 2.30pm (ADST) on Friday 9 October on 2RPH - 1224AM, 100.5FM, digital DAB+ and streaming, www.2rph.org.au.