A unique event to help remove barriers to the creative industries in Cumbria will be held in Carlisle next month.
Prism Arts has teamed up with the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Arts, to deliver the symposium, helping disabled artists, education providers and arts organisations overcome the barriers to develop inclusive learning and development.
It will be held at the university’s Brampton Road campus on Tuesday July 5 and will include workshops and presentations demonstrating how learning disabled and autistic artists can access learning opportunities and develop as artists in higher education.
Representatives from Prism Arts and the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Arts will share the findings of Step Up, a two-year progression project, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which tested routes for learning disabled and autistic artists to develop and produce their own work.
Delegates will learn more about inclusive arts, as well as the routes of progression available to disabled artists in education settings. They will also be able to experience and participate in successful examples of inclusive arts activity in order to inspire their own practice, build skills and increase knowledge.
For the first time four nationally recognised arts organisations will be coming to Carlisle to present their experience of working within inclusive arts and higher education, including Access All Areas and Heart n Soul from London, Mind the Gap from Bradford and Rocket Theatre from Brighton.
Catherine Coulthard, director of Prism Arts, said: “We are delighted to be co-presenting this event with the University of Cumbria. It is the first time that leading disability arts organisations and artists are coming to Carlisle to share their practice, alongside our artists at Prism Arts. This event is ideal for disabled people, care and support organisations and educational organisations interested in exploring routes for learning disabled and autistic artists to access creative learning and development opportunities.”
Dr Colette Conroy, director, Institute of Arts, University of Cumbria, said: “These collaborations are enabling us to develop learning opportunities that are relevant to the creative and cultural industries in the years to come. Prism Arts is a valuable partner to the institute, and we look forward to continuing to work with and learn from them.
“The Step Up Step Forward programme has been an enriching experience for all of us, especially the lecturers and students who have worked alongside Prism Arts over the last two years. It has brought a new element to our on-campus provision, and we will celebrate this when we welcome visitors to the symposium. We look forward to an active day of knowledge sharing, with workshops and presentations to demonstrate how learning disabled and autistic artists can access learning opportunities and develop as artists in a higher education setting, making a vibrant and exciting contribution.”
For more information, visit www.prismarts.org.uk
