Calling all artists who identify as disabled! As a disabled person I often find that the curation at art shows aren't very accessible to disabled people. So I, along support of a few friends, are planning a show which will be made as accessible as possible, and we want to feature art made by artists with disabilities.

What I hope to do with this show is to create a space that is designed from the very beginning to be an accessible and an inclusive space for those with disability. My goal is for people with disabilities to feel included, and for able-bodied people to experience a space that is not designed for them and to encourage them to reconsider how they could better curate shows.

Some of the alterations to the space/work I hope to make to have a more inclusive space:

• All of the work being by any artists who are disabled (mostly those with physical disabilities)
• All of the artworks curated to be seen from the height of a wheelchair (or at least lower than the average height used for curation)
• Any film/sound works would be subtitled/description if the sounds for those who are deaf.  Also to be listened to on headphones/earphones with adjustable volumes so that people with different hearing abilities can hear it. This also means the space will be less noisy, which is good for anyone with anxiety/autism/noise related accessibility
• Sculpture could be tactile for anyone who is blind or partially blind (not mandatory but would be nice)
• A dog bowl for anyone bringing a guide dog
• Seating area for anyone with fatigue or mobility issues
• I also want all the work to be age appropriate for kids, because I want any age group to be able to come (for example I want my little cousin who’s 11 and is in a motorised wheelchair to be able to come)

Feel free to apply any work that is meaningful for you, even if it is not traditionally seen as 'fine art'.#

Venue UPDATE!

We have encountered a lot of obstacles with booking the Triangle exhibition space at Chelsea College of Arts), the venue that we had hoped to use. 

We are searching for alternative venues currently, but because of wanting to make sure the venue is accessible as possible it’s a slightly slower process. As a result it is likely that the show will not take place until Autumn. We are sorry for this change of plans and will understand if you an therefore unable to exhibit. Please hang in there with us as we really want to make this exhibition happen.

Dates

Because we are still in the process of booking the space, the dates are yet to be confirmed, but likely to be in Autumn. I will update the opportunity when this information is confirmed. 

About the Curators:

I'm Jo Lawn, the main organiser for this exhibtion/event. I'm currently a second year BA student studying Fine Art, and I'm managing to put on this show with the help of two other friends (one who also has a disability and the other who's father is disabled). I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which has been really disabling to me and meant that many spaces were inaccessible, which is why I'm so passionate about putting on this show.