DaDaFest International Festival 2022 and its hybrid programme has been hailed a huge success, with around a third of its audiences tuning in remotely!
Our six-week hybrid themed programme was officially launched in late October at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre, with a diverse mix of live in-person and online events which took place through to early December.
DaDaFest International Festival 2022's dates were specifically chosen to coincide with UK Disability History Month 2022 and International Day Of Disabled People – two key milestones to celebrate the lives of disabled people, both nationally and internationally.
The Hybrid theme ensured the festival was inclusive and fully accessible for all to participate and enjoy wherever they may be based, with online events and events recorded live to be streamed.
We were especially pleased with the success of our international reach, with approximately a third of audiences being overseas. Online audiences have engaged in the full programme – meaning that instead of favouring particular shows or events, digital festivalgoers have experienced a full and varied programme.
DaDaFest International Festival Executive Producers, Joe Strickland and Rachel Rogers, say:
“It’s important for arts organisations like DaDa, who started offering more remote and online versions of creative output during lockdown, to continue doing this moving forward. It’s such a shame to see large organisations renege on their promises to do this, but at DaDa we won’t do that. The Hybrid festival theme is very appropriate because this is the way we want to make work available now and in the future.
We are incredibly proud that all 15 performances or exhibitions were available online with access included to audiences located anywhere in the world, engaging with them at any time they choose. It’s hugely encouraging that almost a third of audience numbers online are located overseas – engaging a truly international reach."
The festival programme featured national collaborations including joint commissions, programme sharing and organisational development covering both disabled and non-disabled artists, and local partnerships working collaboratively to increase artistic excellence, support local established and emerging artists.
Venues which have supported DaDaFest International Festival 2022 include Bluecoat, Museum Of Liverpool, and St Helens Library.