Welcome to Disconsortia
A Consortium of Extraordinary Disabled Artists in the North East of England
Image Description - A montage of 17 portrait shots of disabled artists who are members of Disconsortia. Paul James, Sarah Crutwell, Paul Miller, Karen Sheader, Bekih Bowsher, Hello Little Lady, Lady Kitt, Lisette Auton, Pauline Heath, Kev Howard, Coll Metcalfe, gobscure, Kim McDermottroe, Aidan Moesby, Simon McKeown, Black Robin, Vici Wreford-Sinnott
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. In the summer of 2020 we were awarded Emergency Response Funding from Arts Council England, with which we have created our AT THE TABLE programme, consolidated Disconsortia as an organisation and created 17 artist commissions which will be exhibited here from 1 October.
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.
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. In the summer of 2020 we were awarded Emergency Response Funding from Arts Council England, with which we have created our AT THE TABLE programme, consolidated Disconsortia as an organisation and created 17 artist commissions which will be exhibited here from 1 October.
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.
