Join the Congress Session 1 Live Here:
Join the Congress Session 2 Live Here:
Disability and Deaf arts are currently on a very exciting journey, one we have been on for the last 40 years… There is now more open media exposure and responsiveness to the work created and a growing appreciation as to how we link, connect and challenge the making and creating of the arts in terms of form and practice.
Has Disability Arts as the ‘Last Avant Garde’ [Yinka Shonibare] now come of age?
For many years we have been silently changing the parameters of how we ‘do’ arts, demonstrating fresh, unusual and diverse ways of making and creating work based from the lived experience of disability. We have been confidently spearheading new ways of moving the arts discourse into uncharted and uncomfortable arenas of practice and presence. But… Is it being noticed in the right way?
Images from the inaugural Congress at DaDaFest International 2014
This Congress provides an opportunity to showcase examples of these changes, brought about by creativity and artistic excellence from practitioners in the UK and from across the globe. We will share experiences and explain our thinking, to describe the processes which we hope will challenge us all, to think of new ways in how we work together across the arts, with all people, which in turn will embed diversity, social change and expose more people to cultural opportunities.
This congress is an important forum to bring neglected topics into public discourse: and highlight the massive contribution disability art makes to the enrichment of society: after all, disability is a human issue and happens to everyone.
Chairs & Keynote Speakers Include:
- Kaite O’Reilly (DaDaFest Patron & Playwright)
- Heidi Thomas (Creator of BBC’s Call the Midwife)
- John McGrath (CEO & Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival)
- Jenny Sealey MBE (Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company)
- Ruth Gould MBE (Artistic Director of DaDaFest)
- Sir Bert Massie CBE (DaDaFest Patron & Disability Rights Campaigner)
- Claire Cunningham (Choreographer & Dancer)
- Ben Evans (Head of Arts & Disability at British Council)
A huge range of artists, professionals, performers and more from the disability and wider arts sectors will be leading our round table discussions.
Download the programme here to find out more: Congress Programme
Download Round table Speaker biographies here: Round table Speakers Biographies
To book, please visit our Eventbrite page and select the ticket option you’d like. Alternatively, if you are unable to make payments over the internet please contact us via info@dadafest.co.uk or 0151 707 1733 to arrange for payment via Invoice.
DaDaFest is pleased to be working with the Museum of Liverpool as the venue for this event. The museum features level access throughout, a wetroom and a hoist. BSL Interpretation, Audio Description and Open Captions are available too. Please let us know your access and dietary requirements when booking or email: info@dadafest.co.uk.
All attendees at the second day of our Congress are eligible for a FREE ticket to Lost Voice Guy at St Helen’s Central Library. Please email: jackm@dadafest.co.uk to claim.