About Us
PhotoAccess is at the Manuka Arts Centre, on the corner of Manuka Circle and New South Wales Crescent, near Manuka Oval and the Manuka Pool.
We present exhibitions, courses, talks, publications and special projects.
We are an incorporated community association and we encourage new members. We aim to provide opportunities right across the community, including groups and individuals whose access to photo media is limited by gender, geography, income, disability or other reasons.
Our exhibition space, the HUW DAVIES GALLERY, is a public art gallery and the only community gallery space in the ACT dedicated to the photo based arts. The gallery is a place where people can see exhibitions of new work and work from our collection. PhotoAccess has a particular interest in showing work relating to the ACT and region and the creative interests of our community.
Our Multimedia Centre features up to the minute technology. We offer outstanding creative and learning opportunities in digital media, including digital photography, digital imaging, digital storytelling, video editing, web development and animation.
Our darkrooms are a platform for people to create and learn through the alchemy of traditional black and white photographic processes.
PhotoAccess acknowledges the support of the ACT Government through artsACT and the ACT Arts Fund, and the Australian Government through the ACT component of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.
PhotoAccess and the HUW DAVIES GALLERY are located in the Manuka Arts Centre, an ACT Government arts facility.
We are pleased to announce that Canberra City Framing in Hobart Place (just around the corner from London Circuit) has agreed to give PhotoAccess members a 10% discount on framing. You will need to present a current membership card to take advantage of the discount.
Our thanks to Michael Cammack for offering this benefit to members.
kaori gallery at Canberra City Framing presents changing exhibitions of photography and other media. Drop in and have a look next time you're in Civic.
The Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) and Monash University presented a symposium, 'Photography as Crime', in October last year.
A very useful guide for photographers making work in public places was published in conjunction with the symposium. Taking Photographs 'in Public': What's Lawful and What's Not? by Professor Mark Davison and Tobias Gattineau clarifies the complex array of legal limitations photographers should be aware of. Although it examines the issues in the context of Victorian and Commonwealth law, and there may be some differences with ACT law, the manual is a readable and very worthwhile reference point.
Go to the CCP website at ccp.org.au and scroll down the Education menu to read or download a copy.
Papers from the 'Photography as Crime' symposium will be published as a book (details to be advised).
Tax Deductible Donations
PhotoAccess is a public art gallery and cash donations of $2 or more to assist us with our work for the ACT community are tax deductible.
Equipment and Other Donations
We also gladly receive donations of photographic equipment for use in courses and projects. Film cameras, in particular medium format cameras, would be very welcome at the moment.
Additions of books and magazines to our library are always welcome.
Making a Donation
If you would like to make a donation or are interested in discussing the idea with us call 6295 7810 or send an email to contact.us@photoaccess.org.au
PhotoAccess has a long history of supporting Indigenous artists. A particular focus for our support has been artist residencies and NAIDOOC Week exhibitions each year for emerging Indigenous photomedia artists.
We are pleased to announce that our 2013 PhotoAccess emerging Indigenous photomedia artist is Marissa McDowell, a Wiradjuri woman originally from Cowra. Marissa has worked in live production for the Canberra Raiders and Brumbies, hosts and produces an Indigenous radio program on 2XXfm 98.3 Community Radio and has worked on live news and events with the ABC, The National Folk Festival, National Museum and the Rock Eisteddfod at Canberra Theatre.
If you would like to be considered for a residency in 2014 read the information in the PhotoAccess emerging Indigenous photomedia artist program article on the About Us page and then email david@photoaccess.org.au attaching a CV. We aim to complete the selection of our 2014 emerging artist by November 2013.
Images: Kerstin Styche
PhotoAccess has a long history of supporting Indigenous artists. A partcicular focus for our support has been artist residencies and NAIDOOC Week exhibitions each year for emerging Indigenous photomedia artists.
We are inviting proposals now for 2013 NAIDOC Week. If you would like to be considered for a residency in 2013 read the information in this article and then email david@photoaccess.org.au attaching a CV. We aim to complete the selection of our 2013 emerging artist by November 2012.
The PhotoAccess emerging Indigenous photomedia artist program
With assistance under the ACT component of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy we have been able to provide emerging Indigenous artist residencies based on digital storytelling and exhibition projects since 2006. Until this year the ACT Indigenous Arts Officer worked with us in the selection of artists and implementation of these projects.
The aims of the residency program are to:
• assist emerging artists to develop their practice and present work to a wider audience
• provide established artists with opportunities to acquire new skills and produce and show new work.
Support for artists in residence includes membership of PhotoAccess, use of facilities and equipment, free enrolment in courses and workshops, help with grants applications, informal mentoring and advice, technical and creative support with projects and, in some cases, exhibition opportunities.
Details of each residency and the support provided are decided on a case-by-case basis and normally run for one year.
We also work in partnership with community organisations to provide learning and exhibition opportunities for young Indigenous people in the photo based arts.
This is a brief summary of our recent work with Indigenous artists and young people.
2011
Kerstin Styche, a Wiradjuri woman with family connections to Western New South Wales, born and raised in Canberra, was our fourth PhotoAccess Emerging Indigenous photographer. Her NAIDOC Week exhibition Walan Budhang Yinaagirrbang (Strong Black Women) showed in the HUW DAVIES GALLERY in July.
Kirsten was also selected for our Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) graduate emerging artist residency. Her second exhibition, Identity Through Our Eyes, showed in the HUW DAVIES GALLERY in November and December 2011.
Catalogues for both exhibitions can be accessed by following the links below.
As well as her two PhotoAccess residencies and exhibitions, Kerstin was presented with the Len Barratt Award for the outstanding CIT graduate in photography in October, and named ACT NAIDOC Artist of the Year in July.
Walan Budhang Yinaagirrbang catalogue
Identity Through Our Eyes catalogue
2010
Nick Radoll, Tyrell Kamira Sams, Lyndy Delian and Jo Kamira were involved with the ACT Indigenous Strategic Arts Initiative run in 2009 by Ed Whalan for PhotoAccess and Jennifer Martiniello for Billabong Aboriginal Corporation.
Their residencies and exhibition were supported under the PhotoAccess Emerging Indigenous Photographer program. The 4 Emerging Indigenous Photographers exhibition was shown in the HUW DAVIES GALLERY in July 2010, opening during NAIDOC Week.
4 Emerging Indigenous Photographers catalogue
2009
Our second Emerging Indigenous Photographer was Lyndy Delian, whose exhibition 12000 was shown in the HUW DAVIES GALLERY during NAIDOC Week in July 2009. Lyndy spoke about her work and exhibition at a Sunday in the gallery event on 12 July.
AUtonomies by Jessie Boylan with Emma King was based on the Australian Government’s ‘Intervention’ in Northern Territory Indigenous communities. Jessie is a non-Indigenous woman who has worked extensively with Indigenous communities in northern Australia. Emma King spoke about the project and exhibition at a Sunday in the gallery event and we assisted with a short tour of the exhibition later in the year.
Working with Billabong Aboriginal Corporation and coordinator Jennifer Martiniello, we conducted two 10-week workshops as part of a photography project for young Indigenous people under the ACT Indigenous Strategic Arts Initiative.
2008
Otis Williams was our 2008 Emerging Indigenous Photographer. Crossing, his exhibition based on the Fitzroy Crossing community in Western Australia was opened in NAIDOC Week 2008.
Images: Duncan Smith
Duncan Smith is a Wiradjuri man resident in Canberra. He is an outstanding cultural practitioner and leader. His PhotoAccess residency and Back to Country exhibition was supported by the ACT Arts Fund and the ACT Indigenous Arts Officer. Duncan spoke about his Back to Country exhibition and the return to Wiradjuri country project which was the basis for his images at a Sunday in the gallery event on 26 October.
We provided technical and creative support for a film project with partner Southside Community Centre. I’m Awesome U Know was made by 22 Indigenous primary school boys involved in the ACT On Track Program. The project was coordinated by Cathy Laudenbach (Southside Community Centre) and Edwin Daughtry (PhotoAccess) with support from Ed Whalan. The project was assisted by a grant from the ACT Arts Fund. I’m awesome U Know was shown in the Multimedia Room in October and November 2008.
2007
Our second Indigenous Artists Digital Storytelling Project culminated in a NAIDOC Week exhibition of digital stories and other works by three artists—River by Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Wiradjuri Echoes by Duncan Smith and Telling My Story by Renee Smith; the project was led by Ed Whalan and assisted by the ACT Indigenous Arts Officer
2006
The first Indigenous Artists Digital Storytelling Project culminated in a NAIDOC Week exhibition of digital stories and other works by Indigenous visual artists Leise Guthridge (Sisters’ stories—Anna) and Liz McNiven (Spiritual Land)
Please feel free to download our annual report
PhotoAccess provides space in the Members Directory as a service to members and as a way to profile our organisation to the wider community. Your page can be linked to your own or another website. If you wish to create a profile as part of the PhotoAccess online members directory please download and complete the application form and fax it to us on (02) 6295 9130.
The Manuka Arts Centre is an ACT Government arts facility managed by PhotoAccess to provide community access to the arts. PhotoAccess and ArtSound FM operate from the centre in three buildings that include a public art gallery, teaching rooms, darkrooms, a recording studio, broadcast and editing suites, and administration.
PhotoAccess has been in residence since 2002, and signed a licence agreement to occupy and manage the centre in May 2005. ArtSound FM joined us at Manuka in March 2006.
Vist artsound.com.auor call (02) 6295 7444 for more information about ArtSound FM.
The centre has a long history of service to the arts. Until the late 1990s it was the Canberra School of Music’s jazz campus. Today it is visited by many people from the Canberra community, and many visitors to Canberra, who visit us to see exhibitions, record and broadcast music and news about the arts, attend courses and workshops or participate in projects related to the photo based arts.
We contribute to development of the photo based arts in the ACT by letting people see, learn, make and show photography and other photo based art.
Seeing and showing—the HUW DAVIES GALLERY is open to the public 10–4 Tuesday to Friday and 12–4 on weekends with a full program of changing exhibitions. We encourage exhibition proposals from individual artists and present cutting edge, community based and annual members’ exhibitions, and exhibitions from the PhotoAccess Collection. Work shown in the HUW DAVIES GALLERY is generally for sale. We also have a range of limited edition cards for sale.
Learning—our courses and workshops are structured to meet a wide range of needs from beginners to experienced practitioners. They are highly regarded and constantly developing to provide expert and personal support to help people discover and improve their photo media skills. Our regular courses are offered week nights and on weekends, and we can arrange specialist courses at other times to suit your requirements.
Making—we are passionate about the photo based arts and believe everyone should share the wonder and satisfaction of creating images using all the possibilities of photo media. We encourage and share interesting and fresh approaches to the photo based arts through our exhibitions, artists in residence program, talks, publications and special projects.
Gift vouchers
Gift vouchers for courses, membership and access hours are a great gift available from PhotoAccess.
Volunteering
Volunteers help us to keep our facilities open on weekends and in other ways. The benefits of volunteering include free use of facilities and opportunities to learn and share stories and interests by interacting with other photographers.
Artists in residence
PhotoAccess makes an important contribution to the development of emerging artists by offering residency and access opportunities. We welcome residency proposals at any time.
Special projects
We are happy to assist community groups with projects involving photography. We can help administer grant monies and provide discounts on the use of our facilities. Contact us to discuss your project and ways we might be able to help.
Chairperson: Dr Denise Ferris
Deputy Chair: Anthony Wyatt
Secretary: Lauren Hewitt
Treasurer: Jocelyn Rosen
Members:
Dr Tim Brook
Jo Kamira
Maxeme Tall
Brian Tetlow
Dr Tony Stewart
Director: David Chalker
Education and Projects Manager: Sean Davey
Exhibitions and Marketing Manager: Barbie Robinson
Administration Manager: Kate Luke
Administration Officer: Kerry Baylor
email addresses: first name@photoaccess.org.au
