Image description - the text reads Disconsortia, disabled artist-led change. The image is centred on two artists hands above a table of colourful arts and crafts materials. One artist is passing the other a small piece of artwork to be included in a multi-dimensional piece of work contributing to a manifesto for disability arts in the North East of England.
About Disconsortia
Disconsortia is a disabled artist-led consortium currently focussing on developing a vibrant community of disabled artists who are seeking and creating platforms from which to share our work. We are aiming to influence regional and national arts policy & practice in relation to disabled people as artists, leaders in the arts, audiences, and participants, and to ensure we have a relevant voice both invited and included equally in the arts ecology of our region and our country.
Over a period of two years informal round table discussions and consultations have taken place, curated by Vici Wreford-Sinnott of Little Cog, and supported by a number of organisations at different times including Ramps On The Moon at Stratford East, Creative Diversity Network, Arts Council England, ARC Stockton, Disability Arts Online and the D4D Research project. Support for us has been invaluable, and as we focussed our attention on a pilot project in the North East of England both ARC Stockton and Disability Arts Online have increased their support to enable a number of activities to happen to explore Disconsortia further.
We're putting together a Manifesto for disability equality in the arts in the North East - exploring and explaining exciting necessary career progression opportunities for disabled artists and shouting about what rich and meaningful work is out there, currently being supported enough in our overall arts community. And we are also planning a large scale artistic takeover, whilst inviting key partners and funders into our wonderful world.
Over a period of two years informal round table discussions and consultations have taken place, curated by Vici Wreford-Sinnott of Little Cog, and supported by a number of organisations at different times including Ramps On The Moon at Stratford East, Creative Diversity Network, Arts Council England, ARC Stockton, Disability Arts Online and the D4D Research project. Support for us has been invaluable, and as we focussed our attention on a pilot project in the North East of England both ARC Stockton and Disability Arts Online have increased their support to enable a number of activities to happen to explore Disconsortia further.
We're putting together a Manifesto for disability equality in the arts in the North East - exploring and explaining exciting necessary career progression opportunities for disabled artists and shouting about what rich and meaningful work is out there, currently being supported enough in our overall arts community. And we are also planning a large scale artistic takeover, whilst inviting key partners and funders into our wonderful world.
The Artists
Image Description - A group of disabled artists all seated watching a presentation about disability art history.
Writings & Videos
Image description - a photo of artist Pauline Heath is seated at a table in a workshop, looking down at her creative work, smiling, pencil in hand.
|
Story So Far
Image description - a collage about the Disconsortia DIY Cabaret with photographs of Lisette Auton in Crip Mistress ringmaster costume, Coll Metcalf performing BSL signed poetry, gobscure has a post it note in their hand whilst wearing a white coat, King Kitt is performing, looking up questioningly, Karen Sheader is singing and Raquelle Squelch, wearing big teal wig, is MCing the cabaret.
At The Table
Image Description - Coll Metcalfe is on stage at the Disconsortia Cabaret performing a powerful signed piece of spoken word. A microphone is blurred in the forground and Coll is open mouthed in full flow with one arm outstretched in front of her.
|
A Disconsortia Manifesto for North East England
Our manifesto is currently a work in progress
Who we are and what we’re about
Disconsortia is a group of disabled creatives who are sick of being ignored and are exceptional and certainly not bored. Bold North easterners who are revolutionary, ingenious, tenacious and resilient.
We are rebuilding a community by forging new pathways into the arts landscape in the North. We are raising our profile, developing practice, sharing skills and knowledge, providing internal support, building networks and challenging prevailing orthodoxies in how the arts are done. We are a voice, many voices, of disability and the arts, and expect to be included and involved, and to lead and influence, arts activity and practice.
Disconsortia has begun with a bang, but a managed and supportive, accessible bang, with the support of allies DAO and ARC Stockton. However, we are open, and will be welcoming new disabled artists all the time. We want to meet people where they are, and not put people off with excluding language.
Disability is a big word, but its not a bad word. It can be described as an umbrella terms for anyone with conditions who experience barriers and inequalities as a result in their everyday lives. An inaccessible environment in society is the disabling factor. We don’t expect anyone to describe themselves in ways that they are uncomfortable with.
What we are going to do
We are going to change the face of the arts in the North East and sow the seeds of a movement, working with key allies to achieve this. We want to see permanent change for disabled people in the arts. We will educate and agitate, produce and promote our art by establishing ourselves as Disconsortia, by collaborating with each other, and by creating partnerships with venues, organisations and funders. We’re identifying gaps for disabled artists in the arts in the region and will strategically address them whilst creating opportunities for disabled artists to showcase their work, and for venues, organisations and disabled artists to have opportunities to work together and learn from each other, with the support of Disconsortia.
Our Aims
Why are we doing this?
Who we are and what we’re about
Disconsortia is a group of disabled creatives who are sick of being ignored and are exceptional and certainly not bored. Bold North easterners who are revolutionary, ingenious, tenacious and resilient.
We are rebuilding a community by forging new pathways into the arts landscape in the North. We are raising our profile, developing practice, sharing skills and knowledge, providing internal support, building networks and challenging prevailing orthodoxies in how the arts are done. We are a voice, many voices, of disability and the arts, and expect to be included and involved, and to lead and influence, arts activity and practice.
Disconsortia has begun with a bang, but a managed and supportive, accessible bang, with the support of allies DAO and ARC Stockton. However, we are open, and will be welcoming new disabled artists all the time. We want to meet people where they are, and not put people off with excluding language.
Disability is a big word, but its not a bad word. It can be described as an umbrella terms for anyone with conditions who experience barriers and inequalities as a result in their everyday lives. An inaccessible environment in society is the disabling factor. We don’t expect anyone to describe themselves in ways that they are uncomfortable with.
What we are going to do
We are going to change the face of the arts in the North East and sow the seeds of a movement, working with key allies to achieve this. We want to see permanent change for disabled people in the arts. We will educate and agitate, produce and promote our art by establishing ourselves as Disconsortia, by collaborating with each other, and by creating partnerships with venues, organisations and funders. We’re identifying gaps for disabled artists in the arts in the region and will strategically address them whilst creating opportunities for disabled artists to showcase their work, and for venues, organisations and disabled artists to have opportunities to work together and learn from each other, with the support of Disconsortia.
Our Aims
- We are going to develop plans for an artistic takeover in the North East, involving multiple artforms, artists, groups and showcase the work on a variety of scales.
- We are going to create art with, by and for everyone, ensuring that disabled practitioners have platforms and profile. The work will enlighten, educate and entertain.
- We are going to share the rich traditions of disability art specific to the North East, and ensure that our regional experiences and identities are included.
- We want to ensure that arts activity happens in all parts of the region, finding ways to make it accessible to everyone.
- We are going to ensure an infrastructure to support disabled artists is developed providing resources, support and opportunities.
- We are going to fundraise for this activity in two blocks, the first for the development of Disconsortia and our artistic plan for the takeover, and the second will be the delivery of the takeover across the region.
- We will make decisions about how Disconsortia is structured, how the work is delivered and the projects and finances managed, and how decisions are made about the work we do together, all the while maintaining creative and artistic processes where possible.
Why are we doing this?
- We would like a stronger voice in the arts in our region and to be able to influence any discussions involving diversity and disability
- There are low numbers of disabled professionals employed in NPOs and other arts organisations
- We are not valued or supported equally as professional artists
- A paternalistic approach exists in all areas of diversity
- There are unclear progression routes for disabled artists to move on through their careers
- We would like to promote new models of practice and ensure the arts ecology of the North East has healthy involvement of disabled artists on equal terms
- The arts sector needs educating about the Disability Arts movement, the regional body of work produced by disabled artists and who is working now in the region and making really exciting work
- To feel like we have a support network, and that there is cohesion and opportunities for collaboration
- To ensure artists don’t feel that they have to hide any conditions or impairments
- To improve the status of disabled people in society and in the arts
- To challenge the artistic canon which holds many negative stereotypes, tropes and narratives about disability, entrenching those views further in society
