VSA Texas, April and Crab Cakes

Qualitative research is a time consuming process to undertake well. To do so internationally when you have no contacts, networks or understanding of the local culture an processes is bordering on impossible. Oh how I like to take on the impossible. Most research requires the development of collaborations and relationships in order to gain access to participants. This project was no different, based on my relationship with Tutti locally, I wanted to understand if the experiences of our local artists living with disability were similar or different to those of artists around the globe. So armed with only Google I started looking for artists living with disability and programs that support and facilitate disability arts. VSA was a large national organisation in the USA with international affiliates, including Arts Access Australia. I was planning to go to Texas I emailed Cecilia Hughes, Carol Stenard and April Sullivan, and their immediate encouraging response kicked this project off. The support of VSA Texas has been crucial and without them this project would not have had the start it has. April emailed every artist she knew and the response was incredible, I feel this is based on the trust the local artists have in her and VSA Texas. While April and the team of 4 represent and attempt to support disability arts across Texas which is about the size of South Australia, having face to face contact with many artists is impossible. Contact and support happens via the telephone or email, and while there is incredible trust aand appreciation April and the artists know how much more could be achieved if they had the resources to have more face to face contact and run workshops in regional areas.

Tonight I had the mosty amazing crab cakes at the bar of the hotel. I love them and plan to ry them in every place I go in the South. Tomorrow its off to New Orleans of Nawlins as I am reminded along with the constant "I love your accent",seems there is no hiding my national identity in the USA. But it has helped crease the way I think. Oh and you will all be pleased to know I am listening and I will have some down time there to absorb the creativity of Louisiana and take stock...after I have a couple of mad data collection days driving around again.