Award to honour artist’s legacy

DONATIONS are being sought to go towards an award in memory of Emma Barrance-Kelly that’ll be granted to an artist with a disability or who makes significant contributions in the space.

The Emma Barrance Inclusive Arts Award has been organised by the Ballarat Arts Foundation and will seek to honour Ms Barrance-Kelly who passed away last year from bowel cancer and played a crucial role in the creative sector for more than 20 years.

The award was set up by a group of her friends and colleagues.

“Verity Higgins said last year why don’t we do something to commemorate Emma’s work in Ballarat and why don’t we set up an award,” said Haydn Smith, member of the Friends of Emma Collective.

“A group of went ‘yeah sure’ and we all had different stories with Emma which fitted together in her strategy to encourage arts in the disability sector.”

Ms Barrance-Kelly had a relationship with the Ballarat Arts Foundation for more than a decade and was supported emerging artists and creating inclusivity for those with disabilities.

She founded her own not-for-profit, the Arthur Gallery, which became Arthur Creative.

It began operating only one day a week of drama and visual arts workshops before it slowly grew to the current five days of classes.

“The award is either for an arts practitioner from the disability inclusivity sector or someone who facilitates this,” said Mr Smith.

“It’s a call out for anyone who had anything to do with Emma or just wants to give to an inclusive arts award.”

It is hoped the award can encourage diversity in the arts sector.

“Society is diverse, so artists are pretty diverse, and it makes absolute sense to include everyone no matter what,” said Mr Smith.

Donations can be made at ballaratartsfoundation.org.au. For the donation to be specifically for this award, notify the Foundation at [email protected] and when asked to input a message, write Emma Barrance.