One-day regional conference looking at some of the barriers that D/deaf and disabled people face in taking part in carnival arts and events.
At Southampton we will enjoy Keynote presentations from Sarah Pickthall of Cusp Inc, from Paul Davies, artistic director Embaixadores da Alegria (Rio) the largest disability-led carnival group in the world, and a LIVE studio performance from Alegria Samba School dancers from Isle of Wight.
Plus panel contributions from all UK host organisations in the Open Road Partnership. The conference will be chaired by Deb Mullins, Chair of OutdoorArtsUK.
About Open Road Carnival
Open Road Carnival is an Arts Council National Activities project
It uses the Social Model of disability, which says that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference.
It is led by The New Carnival Company (Isle of Wight) with partners Callaloo Carnival Arts (Mirfield), Arts Shape (Gloucester), East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network (Derby) with City Arts (Nottingham) and in partnership with the Association of Event Management Educators and Brighton University.
It aims to influence the way that carnival event organisers and organisations that promote participatory carnival arts can work with disabled people to identify and remove barriers.
What to expect
- Keynote speakers with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field
- A clearer understanding of the Social Model and how it impacts on all our work
- Presentations and sharing of learning from all partners work and from their action research projects
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
- Dissemination of practical tips and ideas to take away and use, to make your own work more accessible.
- Showcase of LIVE inclusive carnival performance
- A fully accessible event, available as a ‘live’ ticketed or on-line experience
Who is it for?
- Carnival Organisers – small & large scale, from local voluntary committees to professional event organisers
- Local Authority Arts & Events Officers
- Arts organisations and community arts practitioners that deliver participatory carnival arts activities
- Freelance carnival artists who would like to share their experience and learn from others.
