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Elevate: slow conference in inclusive, accessible and disabled-led arts

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  • Elevate: slow conference in inclusive, accessible and disabled-led arts

    • This innovative programme of events celebrates the many artists and companies working in accessible, inclusive and disabled-led arts practice across Kent and Medway.

    Spread over three weeks, the ‘slow’ conference aims to be as inclusive as possible and includes a blend of online and shared-space events, with rest breaks and access built-in.

    Elevate will bring together local artists, practitioners, researchers and venues as well as guest speakers from companies including Stopgap Dance Company, Access All Areas, Battersea Arts Centre and Arts Council England.

    We’re offering a diverse range of events, from skill-building seminars, practical workshops, roundtable discussions, artist sharings, and networking opportunities. So whether you’re an independent artist wanting to upskill your work, or an organisation looking to enhance your accessibility, there’s an event for everyone.

     

    Access

    To avoid financial barriers, all Elevate events are free to attend, but booking is essential. We also have a small bursary available to people for whom the cost of travelling to shared-space events is a barrier. Just get in touch via email and we will be happy to help you.

    Each event lists the access that is already in place. If you have additional access needs, such as needing a BSL interpreter or someone to meet you on arrival, please email the event organiser at least 4 days in advance so we can make arrangements.

    Click here for full information on Accessibility at Gulbenkian – including access guides and videos to find out how best to get to Gulbenkian from various car parks and bus stops near our venue.

     

    We’re doing what we can to make Elevate accessible and inclusive, but we know that access is an ongoing journey. If there’s something you would like to talk to us about, get in touch and be part of the conversation. If you would prefer to have this chat another way, let us know.

    Email the event organiser: m.pietroni-spenst@kent.ac.uk

     

    Elevate is organised by iCCi Research Fellow, Dr Mo Pietroni-Spenst, an interdisciplinary performance maker and producer working in accessible practice. She is partnered by Beth James and Jo Frater who lead the Inclusive Arts Network Kent and Medway (INK&M), a peer network for disability and inclusive arts practitioners in Kent and Medway.

    This event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We also gratefully acknowledge support from our partners – the iCCi Research Fellowship at University of Kent, Gulbenkian Arts Centre, One Degree East and Ideas Test.

     

     

    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    ART31 Generate is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25. They steer ART31's governance, influence arts policy and practice, and programme the annual GENFest Youth Takeover Festival.

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25
    Two actors laughing.

    National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.
    Gulbenkian Uncovered image 03

    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

    Square Pegs 1

    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
    A selection of images arranged on a wall

    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

    Young People - Screen31 ARTY31

    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

    Film tickets

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