Core Aims

Core Aims & Principles:

As Creatives:

To begin each project from the standpoint that every human has creative potential and originality, and that each of us expresses this differently, using diverse techniques and tools
To fit within wider conversations within the arts, pushing the boundaries of arts practice
To act as a platform for both conceptual and aesthetic exploration across creative disciplines
To acknowledge and add to a heritage of ground-breaking outsider art
To reframe and adapt different art forms in ways that embrace, use and add to our abilities
To collectively use crafty original thinking and techy innovations to break down boundaries
To work in collaboration with interested parties across sectors to get stuff done right
Where appropriate, to publish relevant ideas and research to inspire others
To keep an open dialogue with educational institutions

As Co-creators:

Projects to be formed by, driven by and focused on people with visible and invisible impairments /disabilities, differences and neuro-divergencies. Where-ever appropriate, to include access allies, carers in active and mutually supportive roles
To challenge the term ‘disabled people;’ disability is the mountain not the mountaineer. We prefer ‘people with disabilities’ or folk with ‘extra access needs’
To build connections out of shared life experiences, diverse challenges and combined hopes
To build awareness in ourselves and others, and develop adaptive ways of working
Nothing about a disability or extra need is done without people with that disability or need being directly involved
As creative warriors of inclusion, to occupy our space in the world, to be seen and heard
To avoid being normal; ‘normality’ is a frequently overrated, often dangerous delusion. We chose to be happy, safe, welcome and involved, not normal
To co-create accessible, inclusive events both in real time and in the virtual world
To challenge existing organisations and facilities to be accessible and welcoming of diversity
To co-create welcoming, supportive spaces, fostering mutual and self-respect
To keep our sense of humour and our sense of humanity
To facilitate opportunities for conversations and collaboration in real time and virtual spaces
To celebrate and share what works and encourage others to join in
To collectively discover, map out and share best practice models for access and inclusion
To become irrelevant as the world wakes up to diversity

Methodology:

A no nastiness policy – we aim to actively include different abilities, ages, cultures, faiths, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. Likewise, inclusion will not be dependant on level of income or place of birth – only on a commitment to extend the same principles of fair, dignified treatment of, and welcome towards others
To work within a structure of projects with realistic set timeframes and themes
For each year to have an over-riding theme and focus on one main accessible event
As a hub, to set continuous themed challenges for work across the city and beyond
Where possible, to respond to and plug into what’s happening locally
To reclaim our place using site-specific installations and interventions in inaccessible spaces
To use multi-media and VR to broaden both participation and audience reach
To use mobility and communication aids in performance and art contexts
To work with participants across artistic disciplines for multi-sensory inclusivity
To combine music, fine art, dance, performance, clowning, cabaret, videography, poetry etc… depending on what each proactive participant wants to include.
For family carers, friends and allies to be welcomed, in mutually supportive roles
For genuine support networks to be acknowledged, celebrated and given voice
To remember, together we’re Nott Normal; we’re extraordinary.