FRONTLINE Arts Festival – Legacy Event! (#FAF2024)
Join us at the wonderful Catalyst Building, Staffordshire University’s in Stoke-on-Trent for an arts symposium to celebrate and advocate for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. It’s set to be an exciting day of performances, panel discussions, and connecting.
Date: Thu 28th Mar
Time: Arrive for refreshments from 9.30am, with the first session starting promptly at 10.15am. The event lasts until 5pm. Lunch will be provided by FRONTLINEdance.
Location: The Catalyst Building, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF UK. FREE PARKING
Cost: The festival is ‘pay as you can’, meaning you can select your chosen donation amount when booking, whilst at the event, or following the event.
Details
Showcasing the talent of UK disabled artists, #FAF2024 will include a range of performances, including spoken word, music and poetry, and the premieres of two of FRONTLINEdance’s commissioned films. There will also be the chance to connect with local d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent charities, hear from #FAF2024 commissioned artists, a ‘Pitch & Mix’ speed networking session, and engaging panel discussions.
We’ll be sharing the full programme for the day soon – highlights include:
– Welcome from Rachael Lines, FRONTLINEdance’s Artistic Director, and Kelsie Acton. Kelsie is a neurodivergent access consultant, researcher and choreographer, and is currently the Inclusive Practice Manager at Battersea Arts Centre, the world’s first Relaxed Venue.
– Panel chaired by Kelsie with a mix of emerging and established d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists from a range of creative disciplines. They’ll be discussing pertinent and urgent questions about the reality of working as a disabled artist, about their creative practice, and how audiences receive their work. There will be an opportunity for the audience to get involved and contribute to the conversation too.
– Find out how FRONTLINEdance associate dance artist Kayleigh Price and filmmaker Jay Gearing, two neurodivergent artists collaborated to create a timely screen dance film. They’ll talk about their creative process, and then we will premiere the screen dance film, before it tours film festivals nationally. Following the premiere, we’re excited to share a shorter film that Kayleigh and Jay made with FRONTLINEdance’s community groups.
– A presentation with the sculpture artist James Lake, who has been commissioned by FRONTLINEdance to find out more about his work and practice. He’ll then be joined by dance artists Welly O’Brien and Victoria Fox-Markiewicz, who are working with James on a FRONTLINEdance paid residency, where they’ll share what they’ve done so far and what they hope to achieve.
– Find out what’s on offer via ‘pitches’ from emerging and established d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists
– Take part in our ‘Mix’ speed networking event – a structured form of networking where you’ll get to connect with the artists who have pitched, other artists, funders, venues, and leaders of local d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent charities
-There will be lots of opportunities to connect with others, whether that’s catching up with existing contacts or meeting new people. This can be done during free time, or facilitated breakout sessions.
-Throughout the day, we’ll be making the most of the screens in the Catalyst building to show films and documentaries by disabled artists and companies. There will also be poetry, spoken word and musical performances to enjoy.
– Free time to meet with local d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent charities to network and find opportunities to work together.
Accessibility
The Catalyst is fully wheelchair accessible, on the ground floor, and has disabled parking close by*
There will be:
BSL interpretation
Audio description (please select as a ticket add-on when booking so we can ensure we have enough headsets)
Chill out room
Bean bags to sit or lie down
Voice-to-text captions
Visual Illustration
Sighted Guides
Touch tours & visual tours (times and more information to follow)
*Parking does get very busy at the University. We’ll give you a number to call a little nearer to the time if you experience any issues parking on the day.
If you require any further access information or support, please email hello@frontlinedance.co.uk so we can put it in place for you ahead of the festival.
#FAF2024 is open to all, and is set to be an exciting opportunity to experience new work and join in discussions about creativity and the arts. We look forward to seeing you there!
We’d be grateful if you could share our event with anyone who you think might be interested. You can also share and tag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @frontlinedance1
FRONTLINEdance is appreciative to be working in partnership with Appetite, New Vic Theatre and Staffordshire University to make FRONTLINE Arts Festival – the legacy event happen.
#FAF2024 is made possible thanks to our partners/funders Appetite, Staffordshire University & The New Vic Theatre. FRONTLINEdance are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to taxpayers plays a huge part in supporting our work.
