The symposium was designed for arts leaders in the performance and visual arts sector who could embed change within their organisations. The aim was to share best practice for working with disabled creatives and demonstrate the quality of work that artists can produce when given the opportunity to perform from home.

The event was in two parts, a series of panel discussions followed by live performances. After an introduction on Disability Arts and terminology, the panel talked about Barriers to Entry and Models For Success. The discussions were followed by live-performances from disabled artists homes which was streamed online and projected into a physical space at LEVEL for a small in-person audience.

The day was a huge success, with nearly 100 delegates joining the conference from across the UK. The symposium successfully  demonstrated how straightforward it is, with just small adjustments, to run an event that includes creatives who struggle to leave their homes.

10 things to remember:

1. Flexibility is key

Everyone’s access needs are different. There is no one size fits all approach. It’s important to be open to new ways of working, and be responsive to the experience of the artists you work with.

2. Trust takes time

Working in the arts as a disabled person can be a very vulnerable experience, and we are often expected to work in ways that don’t suit us. Building trust with disabled artists takes time, reassurance, and practical action.

3. Stable relationships and partnerships

Investment in long term relationships with disabled artists is particularly helpful and rewarding. Having a consistent point of contact who understands our needs helps us to maintain relationships that otherwise might be lost during periods of ill health.

4. Allow more time

Timeframes look very different for people who struggle to leave the home. Limited and unpredictable energy levels mean that we often need much more time to do things.

5. Financial Resources

Direct financial support in commissions and grants is important for all artists. People who struggle to leave their homes often struggle to access that support, and really benefit from bespoke opportunities.

6. Reach out to us directly

People who struggle to leave their homes are a particularly marginalised segment of an already marginalised category. Our CVs might look a bit different, and it is difficult for us to compete with artists who don’t face the same barriers that we do in gaining experience. Affirmative action is a good way of addressing this issue. Dedicating a percentage of call outs specifically to artists who have difficulty in leaving the home would be a strong starting point.

7. Hybrid is your friend

Now that the arts sector is moving back into physical spaces, hybrid events are an important way of maintaining access for people who struggle to leave their homes, both as audiences and performers.

8. Technology can level the playing field

Livestreaming is a powerful tool for inclusion, but digital poverty can be a major barrier. Providing people with the kit they need to participate in livestreams at professional quality requires investment. HouseFound partners Radical Body address this issue by loaning high quality webcams to artists. For more information on their specific setup, feel free to get in touch.

9. Software is as important as hardware

Finding the right platforms for livestreams and the right software to create them is important. It’s easy to fall back on tools like zoom, but investing time into learning how to use more complex software will produce a higher quality product in the long term. Information about the software we use is included in the HouseFound follow up pack.

10. Ask for help

Being willing to acknowledge your limitations and ask for support when there are things you don’t know is really important. Ask artists what they need, and listen to what they tell you. If there are questions you don’t know how to answer, you can contact LEVEL or Radical Body for support and we’ll be happy to help.

Resources:

HouseFound resources to view and download:

Watch the HouseFound panel discussions:

Watch the HouseFound performances:

Gallery

A selection of images from the HouseFound symposium on 2 March 2022.

Next Steps

We are planning to launch a HouseFound Festival in 2023/2024 subject to fundraising. If you would like to be involved in the festival please get in touch: info@levelcentre.com.