In our recent announcement of DaDaFest’s new joint Artistic Director & CEO, we expressed our commitment to providing space for the incubation of ideas, to create high quality work, and inspire the next generation of D/deaf and disabled leaders to be change makers in the cultural tapestry of the arts.
We are delighted to share that four artists have been offered a creative development bursary to develop their creative practice as well as gain the skills, confidence and drive to make change for disabled people in the arts and our communities. Amina Atiq, Letty McHugh, Kadisha Kayani and Rhiannon Jones were selected for their passion for social justice and each have already shown how they have creatively made improvements to spaces, places or relationships to advance the cause of equality. Meet our four DaDaFest Floresence Fellows below:
Amina Atiq
A Yemeni-scouse published poet, award-winning community activist and performance artist. In response to the news Atiq said:
"I am overwhelmed by the support DaDaFest has invested in my development as an artist.I have grown in confidence and certainty of my practice working alongside the organisation. In the past two years. I would not have dreamed to have written a play, produced a short film and encouraged to apply for my first Arts council project grant. It's been a exciting journey and I am looking forward to the future as a Fellow of DadaFest, which I am truly honoured."
How it will support my practice…
"I find myself wearing many creative hats and with the short documentary I produced with the support and commission of Dadafest last year I was inspired to pick up a camera again, as photography was my first art form. Technology and equipment can be expensive to fund as an individual, so with the bursary I will definitely invest in a camera and dig into my old passions of art.
I am also looking forward to investing in a small studio place where I can be a lot more productive and feel like a professional creative.
It feels scary but I am excited to take the next leap into my professional career as an artist. With being dyslexic and being a writer, my biggest fear is publishing page poetry. But I have challenged myself, to ask for mentoring to support my publishing career and hopefully support my first upcoming poetry pamphlet for 2022."
Read Amina Atiq’s full bio here: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/amina-atiq
Kadisha Kayani
Kadisha Kayani is a young, asian, disabled poet and multi-disciplinary artist from Liverpool, who focuses on work for socio-political change in the community.
"I was absoloutely delighted when I found out that I was going to become a DaDaFest Fellow. I felt intrigued at first by the idea of a project that could lead so many ways and having discussed with the wonderful Hanna and meeting the other bubbly Fellows, I am now excited to start my journey with Florescence Fellows."
How it will support my practice…
"I intend to use my bursary to experiment with my vocal percussion beyond traditional singing and to use movement to express my personal journey in a clear and dynamic way. I will also be embarking on writing courses to engage with external creative stimulus and further develop my poetry writing skills. Upon completion, I may get some of my work published aswell."
Read Kadisha Kayani’s full bio here: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/kadisha-kayani
Letty McHugh
Letty McHugh is an artist and writer based in West Yorkshire, who says "I’m so excited to work with the team at DaDaFest and be part of this amazing cohort of artists. When I got the news, I’d been invited onto the programme I did an actual happy dance".
How it will support my practice…
"This Fellowship is a unique opportunity to take charge of my own development and decide my own priorities. I’m planning to use the programme to be bolder, and experiment with new ways of working and grow my practice."
Read Letty McHugh’s full bio here: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/letty-mchugh
Rhiannon Jones
Rhiannon Jones is an actor, theatre maker, and drama facilitator based in Liverpool.
"When I was invited to be a DaDaFest Fellow I just felt so excited! I had worked briefly with DaDaFest before and knew about the work they do, so really couldn't believe it when I read that they wanted me to join them like this and support my work! I felt so proud when I got the email (and did a lot of jumping up and down saying "omg omg as if omg.)"
How it will support my practice…
"The bursary will support me in my practise by giving me practical experience in skills I want to develop like writing, the opportunity to get formal BSL qualifications to support my translation and BSL performance skills, and hopefully enable me to create my first proper show! It will also allow me to have some incredible mentoring sessions with professionals I admire and the creative freedom to try out some new things."
Read Rhiannon Jones' full bio here: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/rhiannon-jones
Stay tuned to follow the DaDaFest Florescence Fellows on their journey, and make sure to sign up to our mailing list for all the latest news from DaDaFest: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/contact/join-us/