Creative Connections: Arts and Disability Conversation and Showcase

A gathering of the most innovative & thought-provoking artists, thinkers & advocates in arts and disability.

Creative Connections will offer an unprecedented opportunity to explore issues and share ideas around arts and disability.

Leading thinkers from across the arts sector, across Ireland, and across the globe will be discussing topics from programming to advocacy, from professional development to audience access.

International Artists & Speakers

Jess Thom: Writer, artist, part time superhero and co-founder of Touretteshero
Betty Siegel: Director of VSA and Accessibility at John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington
Emma Bennison: CEO of Arts Access Australia, a musician and an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
Jo Verrent: Senior producer for the UK Unlimited Commissions programme for artists with disabilities.
Jonathan Meth: A thought leader on disability & performance, Jonathan is project dramaturg on Crossing The Line, investigating the work of leading EU companies who make theatre with actors with intellectual disabilities
Heather Maitland: UK arts consultant whose areas of expertise include marketing for audiences with disabilities
Hannah Goodwin: Manager of Accessibility at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Josette Bushell Mingo: artistic director for The Swedish National Touring Theatre Tyst teater (the Swedish National Theatre of the deaf)

Creative Connections will also include a brilliant showcase and after party, with performances from critically acclaimed Irish and international artists, and a night at the hugely successful Club Tropicana, produced by That’s Life Galway.

Creative Connections will explore arts practice, professional development, and support for artists, programming, access to the arts for audiences, leadership, advocacy and policy.

Creative Connections is presented by Arts & Disability Ireland and is funded by the Arts Council.