Illuminate: A Professional Development Day for Disabled Artists.
Illuminate was a professional development event for disabled artists, co-created by disability consultant, Jo Tolley, and Creative Rebel CIC, with funding from Lincolnshire One Venues and support from Hub, Sleaford, and the Contemporary Visual Arts Network England (CVAN). This one-day programme combined hands-on workshops, expert discussions, and networking opportunities to inspire and empower disabled artists, providing tools and insights for developing their professional practice.
Our role:
Creative Rebel CIC played a key role in co-creating, organising, and delivering the Illuminate event. Our responsibilities included curating a meaningful programme, coordinating with partners, managing logistics, and ensuring accessibility. We also oversaw the documentation of the day, engaging University of Lincoln students and graduates to capture the workshop, panels, and plenary sessions as a legacy resource for online distribution.
Outcome:
Illuminate was a resounding success, offering a thoughtfully curated day of workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities.
Highlights included:
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Digital Art Workshop: Internationally renowned digital artist Jason Wilsher-Mills led an interactive session using iPads and Procreate, inspiring participants to explore themes of accessibility, activism, and representation through his distinctive style.
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Fireside Chat: Jason joined Jo Tolley for an intimate conversation about his journey as a disabled artist and his multidisciplinary practice.
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Discussion Panels: Two sessions focused on key industry topics:
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Commissioning & Professional Practice, featuring industry leaders from Threshold, Barbican Creative Hub, and CVAN.
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Inclusive Curation & Accessibility, with curators and programme managers from Hub, Primary, and Lincoln Museum.
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Participants left with practical tools, deeper insights, and valuable connections.
Challenges:
Delivering an inclusive and impactful event for a diverse group of participants required careful planning. Ensuring accessibility, accommodating dietary needs, and creating a welcoming environment for open discussion and collaboration were critical to the event’s success. Additionally, the documentation process needed to be professional and accessible, providing an enduring resource for disabled artists and their supporters.
Key Learning:
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Accessibility is Essential: Every aspect of the event was designed with accessibility in mind, from the choice of venue to the structure of activities, ensuring an inclusive experience for all participants.
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Collaboration Enriches Outcomes: Partnering with established organisations and industry leaders brought valuable expertise and credibility, enhancing the programme's impact.
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Legacy Matters: Documenting the day created a resource that extends the event’s benefits beyond its attendees, providing ongoing support and inspiration for the wider disabled artist community.
Illuminate demonstrated the power of collaboration, accessibility, and creative exploration in empowering disabled artists. This event serves as a model for future professional development initiatives and reinforces Creative Rebel CIC’s commitment to fostering inclusive, impactful opportunities for artists.