Research conducted by We Are The People and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Who are we?

This strand of We Are The People is led by two disabled researchers and allies:

  • Dr Theo Blackmore (Strand Lead)
  • Thomas Rolfe (Internal Researcher)
  • Lara Bell (Community Researcher)

What are we aiming to do?

Our research aims to understand the experiences of disabled or differently-abled artists in the Southwest who are working to sustain careers in the arts. 

This project will explore key questions, including: 

  • What are the experiences of disabled artists in the Southwest trying to navigate health challenges while working in the arts sector? 
  • What are the specific challenges and obstacles to maintaining employment in the arts in the Southwest? 
  • What are the experiences of navigating the welfare/benefits system as a disabled artist? 
  • How can we build trusting relationships to encourage open discussions about disability, welfare, and health condition diagnoses? 

How are we conducting the research?

We'll run a series of eight workshops, both online and in-person, starting in April 2025. These creative and focus-group-based workshops will use art as a tool for expression and creation, helping us better understand the experiences of disabled artists who are managing health issues and possibly engaging with the benefits system, and who live in the Southwest. 

Throughout the project, we hope to build a disabled artist collective, where participants can continue supporting each other, sharing knowledge and skills, and helping one another develop careers in the arts. 

At the end of the project, we will host an art exhibition to showcase the research findings alongside the artwork created during the workshops. 

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