Third Annual Cultural Access Awards

The Third Annual
Cultural Access Awards
Arts Leaders Honored for their Contributions
On Thursday, June 24 at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton
Winners include Paper Mill Playhouse, Pushcart Players,
Grounds for Sculpture and theatrical interpreter, Alan Champion

On June 24th, four organizations and one individual were honored for their leadership, innovation and commitment to increasing access to the arts for people with disabilities. Offered annually by the Cultural Access Network Project – the Awards program was held at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.

Attended by almost 100 leaders in the state’s arts and cultural community, the day began with a networking breakfast and was followed by workshops and discussions to support the efforts of cultural institutions in making their programming accessible for everyone. Workshops included Effective Staff, Artist and Volunteer Training; Marketing to People with Disabilities; ADA Regulations and ADA Plan Updates.

The celebratory event also included a performance by Katherine Highet, a classically trained harpist – who is also autistic. Before she played, Highet spoke to the attendees about the significant impact the arts had on her growth and on her prospects for the future. "I would not be here speaking to you today if it weren't for the arts," she said. "I took my first dance class when I was 11 years old and my mom went with me and helped me move and try to get me to imitate the other children. By the end of the year, I performed on the stage independently with my class. The arts played a very important role in my learning … activities like dance and theater … helped me come out of the protective shell of autism."

Awards were given to individuals and organizations that were nominated by individuals in the community, and were evaluated by a panel of independent judges. Each organization received a cash award to be used to support and further their innovative access and outreach programming.

"Since the Cultural Access Network Project was founded, my colleagues and I have been so inspired by the great strides we have made in this area," said McEwen. "The honorees have each operated with the belief that their offerings should reach the greatest number of people regardless of economic constraints, geographic limitations or disability, and they are all doing such great work. We hope they inspire other organizations to develop creative programs and partnerships that will provide more opportunities for all of the state’s residents to enjoy its cultural treasures."

Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton) received The Sustainer Award – for their ongoing commitment to cultural access.

Two Innovator Awards were presented. The first was given to both Pushcart Players (Verona) and Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn) for a groundbreaking program they developed – a series of sensory friendly performances adapted for children on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities and their families.

Also receiving an Innovator Award was The Ritz Theatre (Oaklyn) for providing American Sign Language, ASL and shadow interpreted performances on their stage for 21 years.

The Leadership Award was given posthumously to Alan Champion. For more than 30 years, Alan interpreted theater for thousands of Deaf audiences, making their theater experience rich and memorable.

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The Cultural Access Network is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.