DISrupt

DISrupt is a collective of disabled artists in Leeds who are working for change. Our aim is for disabled artists to get the place and recognition we deserve in the art world. So we want to disrupt barriers that prevent disabled artists from taking part equally in our city’s arts and culture. We make art that is original, ambitious, exciting and relevant. We are all dedicated artists who take our work seriously. We are committed to developing our artistic practices so that we can share our view of the world. Disabled artists are often overlooked or excluded from opportunities and projects, limited and patronised by the ableist attitudes imposed on us by our sector and society. DISrupt is here to challenge those harmful stereotypes and make sure that disabled artists aren’t ignored any longer. We don’t make art as a hobby or for therapy. We know that art can be good for well-being but DISrupt is not an arts and health group. We have come together to have a collective voice to support disabled artists with their professional development, to amplify and promote disabled artists’ work and to tackle ableism and disabling barriers in the arts, starting in Leeds. We want to work with anyone who shares these aims.