The Autism Association of WA and the Art Gallery of Western Australia in conjunction with AGWA’s Voluntary Gallery Guides has launched the first partnership under the Gallery’s Quiet Tuesday program.
The Quiet Tuesday initiative aims to provide members of the Western Australian community access to their State Art Gallery on Tuesdays, a day when the Gallery is closed to the general public. It will allow for a quieter, desensitised experience for groups who may require a different environment in which to access and appreciate the State Art Collection.
The partnership between the Autism Association of WA and the Art Gallery of WA was launched last night by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson who formally welcomed the Art Gallery of WA as an inclusive space.
Under the new partnership, Autism Association staff will provide training to Art Gallery of WA staff and guides.
Three Quite Tuesdays will be programmed across the 2021 school holidays, allowing a day for families with members on the autism spectrum to experience the Gallery in a desensitised and welcoming environment. Guided tour and learning programs will be developed by the Art Gallery of WA Learning team and AGWA Voluntary Gallery Guides.
The launch event also announced the winners of the recent Arts for Autism art competition.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“Ensuring that we can provide opportunities to experience the arts for all members of our community is essential in strengthening the cultural fabric of WA.
“I’m delighted to see the State Gallery moving forward with its access programs and the launch of Quiet Tuesdays – an initiative that addresses the need for different viewing experiences and will provide a welcoming and inclusive space for all members of our community.”
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The partnership between the Autism Association of WA, the Art Gallery of WA and AGWA Voluntary Guides will create more opportunities for inclusion in the arts and a more inclusive future for people with autism and their families.
“Partnerships like the one we celebrated last night, bring together the expertise of the disability and community sectors and create a blueprint for how community, thought leadership, and commitment can make us a stronger more inclusive, and richer State.”
