Watch our two panel discussions in the video above and download our Guide to the UK visual arts and disability scene below.

Reframed: Disability Aesthetics and Institutional Change in the Visual Arts

We invited international artists and curators to discuss two key issues in contemporary visual arts at an online event on 26 June 2024 entitled Reframed: Disability Aesthetics and Institutional Change in the Visual Arts. The event was a partnership with Disability Arts Online and curated by Aidan Moesby.

In the video, our panel of artists, curators and arts professionals from across the world discuss key questions including:

  • What are the key challenges and opportunities at this moment?
  • What are the similarities and differences across Europe and beyond?
  • What does best practice look like?
  • What are the key initiatives? How do we move forward?

Panel 1: How do you make institutional change? (0:00–01:12:45)

Panel 1 explores how organisations can become more accessible and improve the representation of disabled artists. What small initial things can be done which are important first steps before the more seismic systemic changes can be implemented? How can culture change be implemented and sustained in a meaningful authentic process? How do we overcome resistance to change?

Panel 2: Curation and Art – Disability Aesthetics (1:13:40–2:17:00)

What are the creative possibilities of disability in an aesthetic sense? How do you define disability aesthetics and how can we increase recognition and appreciation for this within the visual arts, considering the relevance and representation of disabled artists and curators. What are the specific considerations for curators when working with disabled artists or with disability and neurodivergence as curatorial themes?

Guide to the UK visual arts and disability scene: a snapshot in 2024

Download this digital resource which explores where the UK is in this moment, and how we got here in terms of the representation of disabled artists and curators; how disability is perceived as a curatorial theme; where best practice is happening; how the UK compares to other countries; and what the key challenges are.

The guide features four essays from prominent figures, along with an introduction from Aidan Moesby and a directory of key artists, organisations and initiatives selected by the contributors.

Download the guide

Europe Beyond Access

Europe Beyond Access is the world’s largest transnational arts and disability programme.

The British Council is the lead partner of a consortium of seven organisations in Europe Beyond Access. The project is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.

The core partners are: British Council (UK and Poland); Onassis Stegi (Greece); Holland Dance Festival (The Netherlands); Kampnagel (Germany); Per.Art (Serbia); Skånes Dansteater (Sweden) and Oriente Occidente (Italy).

Europe Beyond Access supports disabled artists to break the glass ceilings of the contemporary theatre and dance sectors to:

  • internationalise their artistic innovations and their careers
  • develop a network of leading mainstream organisations with a commitment to present and commission at the highest level
  • build European audiences interested in high-quality innovative work by Europe’s disabled artists
  • develop tools and understanding in the wider performing arts market.

Check out these videos for a taste of what’s happening and find more detail at Europe Beyond Access.

External links

Share this