Stepping stones to creating art

5 January 2011
Dianne Doran is passionate about working with disabled people. An artist and the owner-operator of Kre8hope, an independent contracting service for families with experience of disability, she has joined forced with the Quarry Arts Centre in Whangarei to provide Kre8hope Stepping Stones to Art.

Dianne, who has more than 35 years' professional experience in the health and disability services, started working with Claire Nicholls, sculptor and manager of The Quarry Arts Centre in Whangarei, in early 2010 to provide the Stepping Stones course. In April, they ran a six-week pilot course, providing disabled people with the opportunity to express themselves through the creation of art..

“It’s been really successful because of the skills and qualifications Claire and I bring to the programme, but mostly because of our passion for people to be included in society,” says programme co-ordinator Dianne. “My husband has a disability. I’ve walked this journey with him. My journey is about inspiring and giving hope to others, and changing lives.”

In an area such as Northland, many people are economically and geographically isolated. Whangarei has high unemployment. Transport and financial difficulties are barriers to inclusion for most of the students.

Responding to community need

“We researched and developed the course over six months, looking at art courses locally and internationally, and where the gaps were. We identified and responded to a need in the community where people with disabilities were isolated and had not been given the opportunity to attain higher levels of education.”

The course supports and develops the artistic talents of people with disabilities to create, exhibit and sell their work, says Dianne.

“One artist was commissioned to reproduce an exhibited piece that had already sold. Another one of our students has been accepted into a two-year textiles course at Northland Polytech in 2011. We are so proud of her.”

The pedagogy has a holistic framework. “We don’t just teach art here -- we encourage career pathways. For us it’s about creating inclusive societies and environments by building awareness, changing community attitudes, removing obstacles to access and participation; shifting the barriers.”

High professional integrity

The course has high professional integrity. Tutors are hand-picked professional artists and assist the students to explore the creative process and influence the direction of workshops. There is a professional life coach to support students’ growth and preparation for their exhibition. Dianne attends every class to support tutors and students.

The students have to formally apply for the course. “They have to fill out application forms and have an interview. We’re very serious about their full participation,” says Claire. “We deliver a high quality, safe learning environment where students are respected, and we try to make our courses accessible and affordable.”

“The great thing about this programme is that you don’t need to have a lot of artistic experience, just a love of the arts and the desire to learn,” says Dianne.

The six-week programme blocks run back to back throughout the year, and each group meets once a week for three hours. Claire and Dianne are hoping to increase the course to five days a week, but this depends on funding. What they have received so far from Sky City and JR McKenzie Trust has enabled the fees to be well-subsidised.

“I can see it growing and becoming a permanent fixture in The Quarry’s calendar of workshops,” says Claire. “We need to ensure we continue to nurture the creative spirit of Northland.”