Reflecting on Change is an independent report written by artist and academic Tim Wheeler and commissioned by the British Council. Through artist interviews and thoughtful analysis, Wheeler tells the story of the British Council's international arts and disability work, surveying 350 events in 54 countries from 2012 to 2020. He finds that our disability arts programmes have brought about significant, long-term change. ‘What the British Council has done is not just any movement; it’s a revolutionary movement,’ says artist Rabbi Mia about the British Council’s disability arts programme in Bangladesh.

The report shares case studies to explore how this happened, with stories of change from Bangladesh, East Africa, EU, Indonesia, South Korea, Wider Europe and the UK. Wheeler reflects critically on our methods, investigating different approaches to disability arts and international exchange. Reflecting on Change contributes to the global conversation about how the cultural sector can work in more equitable ways, identifying future challenges for us all to address. The report is aimed at policymakers, funders, researchers, organisations and practitioners who are working with arts and disability, and those who would like to do so. With practical advice, including resources for those organising their own cultural events, we hope it will inspire others to undertake their own journeys with disability arts.

Key findings

The report summarises the British Council’s overall achievements in disability arts:

Raising profiles. UK and international practitioners have grown in profile and disability arts have featured in high profile international events.
Changing perceptions. Our work has broadened the experiences of professionals and audiences and has brought artistic innovation.
Brokering international connections. We have developed the international links of key players, created the Unlimited Showcase for international professionals and fostered multi-country collaborations.
Building legacies. Our work has influenced lasting change to the cultural infrastructure of many countries.

Specific achievements include:

New companies. New inclusive performing arts companies – the first companies of their kind – set up in Armenia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Change through partnerships. A network that we helped to develop encouraged the new Culture Europe programme – a €2.44 billion EU cultural fund – to prioritise disabled artists and access to arts.
London 2012 legacy. Many countries have established a major disability arts platform alongside their Olympics and Paralympics Games, following London 2012, partly as a result of our work.
Amplifying new voices. Three-quarters of UK and international artists interviewed said that working with the British Council made them more likely to work internationally in the future.

Future recommendations include expanding our disability arts work to more countries and ensuring that UK artists have more equal international relationships. Wheeler calls for more exchange between social and commercial activity, and between academics and practitioners. He also asks: can we support disabled artists to develop an international community blending digital and in-person practice?

Read the Reflecting on Change report

Views from artists

Reflecting on Change includes interviews with disabled artists about their experiences and their approaches to their work.

Hana Madness is an Indonesian visual artist and mental health campaigner who has been a key player in her country’s cultural scene. After visiting the Southbank Centre’s Unlimited festival as one of our international delegates, she helped to persuade the Indonesian government to launch its own festival of work by disabled artists.

She says: ‘If you stand up and fight against inequality, it is activism. I choose art as my weapon.’

Citation

Wheeler, T. (2021). Reflecting on Change – Exploring an international disability arts programme. British Council.

(C) British Council 2021. All rights reserved.