www.dadafest.co.uk
Cover Image: Claire Cunningham performs at DaDaFest International 2008
11
105,000 people reached last year at the festival
festivals
2,200 160 Artists in DaDaFest 2012, from
17
different countries 2
young disabled and deaf people engaged
ÂŁ5,324,800 brought into the local economy last year by the festival
Introduction from Jane Cordell 2012 was an extraordinary year for DaDaFest. Against a background of Olympics, Paralympics, arts funding cuts and benefits cuts, the festival presented ground breaking and international disability and Deaf arts as a way to enrich lives and bring real change. Visitors and artists travelled from across the globe to experience the festival, and Liverpool’s cultural venues stepped up to host an exciting programme of visual and performance arts. Our work removes barriers and creates opportunities by presenting excellent art for all. It is more vital than ever that the arts present new ideas that both reflect and challenge the society which we all live in, and DaDaFest is an exemplary organisation leading the way. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us make such a huge impact over the last 28 years, but also make a call to action
for people to help us achieve our outrageous ambitions for the future. Our success relies on you the artists, performers, audiences and supporters so please keep your ideas and thoughts coming. Thank you, Jane Cordell ‘New ideas and forms of communication explode from this small and dynamic organisation’ – Sir Bert Massie CBE, DaDaFest Patron 3
About DaDaFest DaDaFest is an innovative disability arts organisation based in Liverpool, working throughout the North West, the United Kingdom and internationally. DaDaFest delivers a festival and other arts events to promote high quality disability and deaf arts from a unique cultural perspective. We work to the Social Model of Disability*, aiming towards an inclusive social understanding of disability. We also produce opportunities for disabled and Deaf people to access the arts, including training and a young people’s programme. DaDaFest was set up in 1984 (founded as AIM, becoming North West Disability Arts Forum in 1990) as one of the first disabled-controlled arts organisations, and part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled people.
4
28 years later, the festival in 2012 included a wide programme of events, talks, exhibition and workshops, engaging with almost 105,000 people in arts venues across Liverpool. We reach a bigger and broader audience through broadcast, media, public events and social networking with an estimated 7,424,862 people reached through these methods in 2011/12. DaDaFest’s ‘grass roots’ work engages directly with disabled and Deaf artists and communities to ensure every aspect of delivery reflects the wants and needs of disabled and Deaf people. *What is the social model of disability? It identifies systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) that mean society is the main contributory factor in disabling people.
We believe the arts free the spirit to new ways of understanding, connecting and accepting. We present art which engages people creatively to reflect our reality. We are pioneers in creating opportunities to tell untold stories. Disability and Deaf arts are relevant to all, expressing life’s unique journey. We present barrier-free, life-affirming and enjoyable arts experiences.
5
Young DaDa Since 2002, DaDaFest has worked with over 2,200 young disabled and Deaf people. We received a glowing Investing in Children accreditation report in 2012. We enable young people to participate in the arts, become creative leaders and gain qualifications, whilst showcasing their artistic achievements.
Young DaDa is central to our belief in empowerment; all young people can use the arts to explore and express issues which affect their lives, learn new skills, link and work with other young people. We introduce disabled and Deaf artists as role models. The young people benefit by increased confidence, enabling them to become more independent, equipping them with skills to progress onto further education, employment or training, whether in the arts or not. 6
100% of participants stated that they had improved their self-confidence and skills on a recent Young DaDa twoyear project. ‘The last two years were the best! They have changed my whole life.’ – Sarah, aged 15
Young DaDaFest Performance ‘DaDa always makes sure young people get the support they need, it is really good this happens.’ Danielle, aged 17 And a parent: ‘I couldn’t believe that my daughter was a totally different person on stage; it has given her so much confidence.’
DaDaFest brought together young filmmakers from Special Educational Needs schools in Liverpool to create the short film ‘Schoolageddon’, watch this film and others made by Young DaDaFest at www.dadafest.co.uk
‘Their focus on young people has led to a new influx of talent in the area. DaDaFest are right at the forefront of this.’ – Mat Fraser, DaDaFest Patron
Young People’s Steering Group This group of 20 young people is at the heart of our work. They shape and lead the arts projects. It is vital that young people make the decisions and have their voices heard. ‘We get listened to and they take on board what we say’ - Young DaDa Steering Group member.
Blueprints for Change A short film about the barriers young disabled and Deaf people face in attending youth projects. The film was devised, filmed, edited and narrated by the young people and distributed to other organisations to encourage change.
7
Research We have a track record for undertaking research on issues that affect the lives of disabled and Deaf People and their involvement in all aspects of the arts. In 2014 we will involve our growing and loyal audience in further research into the social and economic impacts of participation in the arts. Arts-Life Arts-Life is a project led by DaDaFest for the Liverpool Regeneration Consortium (LARC). The project aims to increase disabled and deaf audience members attending arts venues and events in Merseyside.
Levelling Up
8
This work tracks the lives of 14 disabled or deaf cultural leaders and examines what has made them successful in working in the arts and creative industries.
Arts Benefits Undertaken in 2004, this study explored the issues of coming off welfare benefits as disabled artists and performers. The findings have proved useful for arts funders and artists alike.
Arts Divisions As our arts programme with young people developed, we investigated what type of arts activities were available for disabled young people. The results showed that most undertook arts programmes as passive or therapeutic activities, which helped us to focus on arts that empower, raise aspirations and signpost to skills and further training.
Start gatefold here See gatefold document
Presenting Great Art DaDaFest delivers arts projects and commissions artists yearround, working with our partners to present barrier-free, life-affirming and enjoyable arts experiences which then feed into the biennial festival. DaDaFest works to promote disability equality using the arts to voice our messages in ways that affirm and celebrate the enormous talent and creativity of disabled and Deaf people. Working with a broad range of partners ensures we take these important messages to mainstream arts organisations and audiences.
The Hearing Test As part of a residency initiated in 2011 by AND (Abandon Normal Devices) and DaDaFest, Irish composer and writer Ailís Ní Ríain developed an online art project with the Spanish creative technologist Andrea Pazos López. DaDaFest 2012 invited festival goers to ‘take The Hearing Test’.
DaDaFest on Tour Building on our experiences of promoting disability and Deaf arts, we have begun a three year project with 5 areas across the UK to increase the reach and appreciation of diverse arts expressions.
Our tours in 2013-2015 will work with partners to ensure the DaDaFest model of accessible, inclusive and high quality work is rolled out to other regions the UK. 17
What Do Our Audience Think? DaDaFest is an audience focused organisation. We are constantly improving what we offer following feedback from our audience.
At DaDaFest 2012 we asked them a series of questions about their experiences, as follows:
96% of respondents would be likely to recommend the event or exhibition to friends or family.
73% 23% Very Likely
Quite likely
3%
Quite unlikely
1%
Unlikely
73% of respondents found their experience of the festival much better or a little better than expected.
53% 20% 15% Much better
18
A little better
Just the same
2%
1%
9%
A little Much No worse worse Expectations
How much do you agree with the following statements about DaDaFest: A) DaDaFest is innovative
A lot
A little
Some
74% 12% 9%
B) DaDaFest offers Deaf and disabled Artists new opportunities
A lot A little
83% 7%
Some
3%
Not much
1%
Not at all
0%
Not at all
Not sure
5%
1%
Not sure
5%
C) This event has contributed positively to my general wellbeing
D) I found out something new today
A lot
A lot
A little Some Not much Not at all Not sure
54% 26%
13% 2% 2%
3%
A little Some
62% 18% 10%
Not much
5%
Not at all
2%
Not sure
3% 19
Our Audience Do you, or anyone in your group, consider themselves to be a disabled or Deaf person, or living with a long term medical condition or sickness?
46%
Not a disabled of Deaf person, or living with a long term medical condition or sickness
Geographic Spread of DaDafest 2012 Audience
52%
Liverpool
30%
North West
14%
24%
Rest of UK
16%
Age of DaDafest Audience 2012
International
4%
Disabled person
Living with a long term medical condition or sickness
10%
Deaf person
4%
Prefer not to say
Exactly 50% of respondents consider themselves to be a disabled or Deaf person, or living with a long term medical condition or sickness.
16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64
9%
15%
17%
27% 22%
65-74
8%
75+
2%
An audience questionnaire was used to gather qualitative and quantitative data directly from the audience at DaDaFest 2012 events. Results are taken from 217 completed questionnaires. 20
Support Us DaDaFest is a registered charity. We rely on the generous support of our partners to remain at the forefront in the disability arts movement, widening participation in the arts and increasing opportunities for disabled and Deaf people.
To discuss how a partnership with DaDaFest can benefit your organisation contact Ruth Gould on +44(0)151 707 1733 or email ceo@dadafest.co.uk
Our partners benefit by using increased engagement with disability arts to: Ruth Gould, CEO, DaDaFest with the Lever Prize • Raise their profile within specific audience sectors DaDaFest 2012 was the • Offer corporate hospitality winner of the Lever Prize, at cutting edge arts events awarded by the North West • Provide creative training and Business Leadership Team. professional development This prestigious prize allowed opportunities for their staff a year-long collaboration with • Boost corporate selfthe region’s top business leadesteem by supporting local ers. disabled and Deaf people • Prove their commitment “DaDaFest’s success in landing to corporate social the 2012 Lever Prize is a truly responsibility outstanding achievement, • Reach new disabled and having beaten off an extremely Deaf audiences through impressive range of the North joint commissioning and West’s other well-known arts audience development. organisations to win this major accolade.” - Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive of NWBLT
21
Partners
Evelyn Glennie performing at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as part of DaDaFest 2012 Thank you to our principal funding partners Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. Their investment goes way beyond just financial support, as their advice and opportunities have allowed us to become more resilient and confident. Thank you to the funding partners of the different projects and programmes, who shape the way we work, allow us to reach more 22
people and make our work with disabled and Deaf artists possible. Lastly, we would like to thank the many people who engage with us from the local area, but also increasingly overseas. It is humbling to know we are having such an impact as we continue to develop quality arts experiences that entertain, challenge, amuse and change lives.
Principal Funding Partners:
Programme Funding Partners: Eleanor Rathbone
Young DaDa Funding Partners: Youth Opportunities Fund
Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
Ravensdale Trust
Programme Partners: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
SEN Schools
This leaflet is available in other formats on request from the DaDaFest Office. The Bluecoat School Lane Liverpool L1 3BX Telephone: +44 (0)151 707 1733 Textphone: +44 (0)151 706 0365 Website: www.dadafest.co.uk Email: info@dadafest.co.uk Twitter: @DaDaFest Registered Charity No. 1014390 Registered in England and Wales No. 2636606
24