30 May 2007

Clayton Utz announces special partnership with Art Gallery of NSW

Sydney, 30 May 2007: National law firm Clayton Utz today announced the launch of a new three year partnership with the Art Gallery of New South Wales for a series of specially designed programs to give people with a disability the chance to enjoy art.

Launched at the Gallery this morning by Graeme Innes, AM, Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the partnership will allow people with a disability to enjoy cultural experiences at the Gallery specifically through ‘touch’ and ‘sensory’ tours. 

The partnership involves the Gallery offering several access programs, including the Da Vinci Program, providing special art making workshops for intellectually disabled and intellectually gifted children, Touch Tours for visitors who are blind or partially sighted and Auslan- interpreted events for visitors who are deaf. With the support of Clayton Utz, the Gallery can now commit to delivering these programs for the next three years.

Clayton Utz staff will also volunteer at the Gallery for special art making workshops.

According to Gallery Director Edmund Capon, over one million people in Australia have a physical, emotional, intellectual or sensory disability, with many having a life-long enjoyment of the arts.

Speaking at the partnership launch, Clayton Utz Sydney managing partner Craig Pudig said the firm was pleased to continue its long-standing involvement with the Gallery on such a worthwhile initiative.

"The Access Program at the Art Gallery of NSW is a wonderful initiative which will give many people the tools they require to enjoy the beautiful and diverse range of artworks on display," said Mr Pudig. "We are proud to be able to play a part in it."

Mr Pudig said the partnership was a further example of the firm's commitment to its involvement with the community, which is an integral part of life at Clayton Utz. "We assist a wide range of partners and clients each year through legal advice, volunteer work, and financial support. Our partnership with the Art Gallery of NSW is one that aligns strongly with our core values as it strives to empower members of our community."