Disability Arts Online
About our organisation
Disability Arts Online is an arts organisation led by disabled people. We nurture creativity and critique from a disability perspective. We occupy a unique global position with our UK-based website, partnership and consultancy work, artist development programmes and vibrant community of disabled creatives. Our activity is delivered across the UK and we reach an international audience. Although our registered address is in Brighton, we have a staff team of five working remotely and freelancers in a variety of locations.
Talent development
We support the development of disabled artists and writers through:
- One-to-one sessions on a variety of subjects (more information here).
- Blogging opportunities (email editor@disabilityartsonline.org.uk to discuss if you’d like to start blogging).
- Commissions to write for our online magazine (email joe@disabilityartsonline.org.uk to discuss commissioning opportunities).
- Showcasing and featuring artists in our online magazine.
- Reviewing and critiquing.
- An Associate Artist scheme.
- Guest Editorships twice a year.
- Signposting to other opportunities via the Directory and Jobs and Events listings.
- A profile to promote your work via our Artists Directory.
Artistic Programme
The core of our artistic programme centres on discussion and critique of arts and culture from a disability perspective. This can be found in the pages of our online magazine, via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and through the monthly Disability…And Podcast produced in partnership with Graeae Theatre Company.
Complementing our magazine, we also produce and co-produce events responding to current hot topics in arts and culture through showcasing and discussing work in disability and mainstream contexts. Through project funding, we occasionally commission new work and publish a zine annually.
Related Content
A Poem.
October 21, 2021People tell us to stand tall But how can when we’ll likely fall People look forward to going and getting legless B ut would you if you woke with no legs? It can happen to anyone So what happens when your ours to shun. Holding on to the dream An independent life W ith no ...
Disability Activism in Lockdown
October 11, 2021Activism within the disabled community is becoming more and more important, considering the political state of the world at the moment. Activism as a whole has taken a more central role in society generally since the BLM Movement. But like all the equality movements in ...
New cardboard work titled ‘Youth’
May 26, 2021I have started a new project that I am currently calling ‘Youth’. I promised my youngest son I would make a sculpture of him next. The question was how to represent him. I knew I wanted something dynamic - I wanted to test the limits of ...
Crippen and an alternative to the New Year Honours
December 21, 2020You may not be aware of this but there are quite a few Crips who have been approached by the establishment with regard to receiving an award for ‘services to disability’ (sic) and who have turned them down. Disability Arts Online · Crippen's alternative CRIP Awards Most ...
Can you tell me Why?
November 11, 2020Can you tell me why? Don't you remember me? No matter how hard I try, I just can't foresee. I think I have lost my mind, I forget the simplest of things, Can you tell me why? I can't find my cup of tea. I feel lost and confused, I can't remember your name, Can ...
Hello from me, Glen
December 9, 2019Hello and welcome to my first blog ever! I have received Arts Council England funding to have mentoring and professional development in order to be able to access the art world as a Deaf artist, which I currently find very difficult. I need BSL (British Sign ...
The first frost has fallen
October 6, 2019The first frost has fallen, The leaves have turned golden, Days are becoming shorter, Squirrels are gathering their nuts, Winter clothes are back in the wardrobe, Hats and gloves are ready to be worn, Nights are becoming colder, Birds begin to fly south, Windy, wet weather seems to be constant, Wet leaves make a ...
Sharing event and exhibition in Shrewsbury
March 14, 2019To round off the Arts Council England funded research trip that Tanya-Raabe Webber has been on around the UK and Finland, there will be a Sharing Day and Exhibition in Shrewsbury. Places for the Sharing Day are limited, but the exhibition launch is open to ...
“You’re Not Trans… You’re Autistic!”
November 12, 2018Aimee Challenor is 20 years. She is a transgender individual and also autistic. She and others from Trans communities feel they have had their Transgender identity undermined by medical professionals because of their autism. This has led to the delaying of gender reassignment procedures. How does it feel to ‘come out’ as Trans, only to ...
Kaarisilta – A hidden gem in the woods of Finland
September 24, 2018In late August Tanya and Jennifer traveled overseas to Kaarisilta in Finland, near the small town of Lahti. What we found trapped between trees were some beautiful old farm buildings that, since 1986, have been transformed into the centre that supports disabled artists today – ...
Four buildings across Edinburgh with a wealth of talent happening behind their doors
September 11, 2018Tanya and myself managed to squeeze in an afternoon visit to Garvald in Edinburgh on our trip to Scotland. We were greeted at the converted Edwardian school by the Art Studio facilitator and Exhibitions Coordinator Morven MacCrae. Garvald has been going in some form for ...
Intoart – a new studio in South London
August 20, 2018Since the year 2000 Intoart has been running (in some form) across London, but it has recently taken up residence in the newly opened Peckham Levels. Its studio sits alongside other artists, designers, filmmakers and architects - everyone likes being in this space as they ...
Researching accessible studio spaces and residencies at The Art House
July 31, 2018On the 5th and 6th July, we went on our second research visit to The Art House Wakefield and stayed in their accessible flat. Although this organisation is not a learning-disabled art studio, the aim here was to look into their studio setups and their ...
Eight Week Circle
May 14, 2018I live my life in eight week intervals. Every two months a visit to the hospital brings injections into my veins, I allow these drugs to creep. The supposed antidote seeps. Into my mixed up body, where up is sideways and down is dead, the ...
Undercover Autistics
April 27, 2018Having a diagnosis of Autism/Asperger’s can be an issue of identity and disclosure. From being presumed to have no sense of humour, no empathy and a limited understanding of social skills, to conversations where 'neurotypicals' list all suspected autistic relatives…. Maybe it's best not to ...
Can Autism Awareness be Counter-Productive?
January 31, 2018Recently I attended a small talk on Autism Awareness. I took a seat around a large square table. While waiting for the speaker to arrive I chatted with a group of women; some told me that they had a daughter, son or brother on the spectrum ...
The Dragon
January 16, 2018The cycle begins. Hour one. The first flutter of nausea starts to grow, stretching its angry wings within. Something will soon be very wrong as the body prepares to void. An application of heat to a tender set of intestines, lends hope that the wave ...
Autoimmune
January 10, 2018Autoimmune Body out of tune Attacking itself Triumph over itself Agony wins From deep within Fighting against The fight against Myself Suppressing From doing more harm To myself Climbing out of a black hole Reaching the light and back again Body has to pay the toll It can not Take me From me
World Mental Health Poetry: Outside-In/ DAO at Pallant House Gallery
October 11, 2015To celebrate National Poetry Day and National Poetry Dayon 8th October Outside In presented an evening of readings and performances at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester in association with Disability Arts Online. Simon Jenner reports. Outside-In at Pallant House, Chichester is emerging as a happily embedded institution, ...
