Open Arts

We inspire and support the creativity and artistic development of disabled people.

Since 1992 we have been running weekly classes for disabled adults in a wide range of art forms – music, drama, dance, writing and visual art. Our participants have a range of disabilities, including physical, sensory, learning, and mental ill health and those who are neurodiverse. In addition, we produce multiple other stand-alone projects each year to engage more disabled people, including children & young people.

The representation of disabled people extends to our board and staff, where half of our board members and three quarters of our staff team have a disability.

Through our Lived Experience Team, we deliver training in the form of ‘Living Libraries.’ This is an informal and relaxed way for organisations to gain a better understanding of the experiences of disabled people through short conversations with our ‘books,’ who have a range of disabilities. Our Lived Experience Team are also available to consult on access and inclusion.

Support Type

• Consultancy
• Training

Artforms supported

• Combined Arts
• Craft
• Dance
• Festivals
• Film/Screen
• Libraries
• Literature
• Museums
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

Operates in

• Northern Ireland