Page 15 - Community Living Issue 31-3

Being seen: performance

Of course, the more work that is seen,
the easier it is to address all this. More
work will be known to be available,
quality will be demonstrated and
audience development can be addressed.

Being critical, not simple
There’s a question about how or indeed
whether the work is talked about.
Learning disabled artists have said they
feel journalists often “sit on the fence”,
possibly because they don’t know how to
talk about the work.
“‘Fear is a barrier to do with ignorance,”
is how one Creative Minds delegate put it.
Another said: “We are portrayed as stupid
and simple. People, not wanting to hurt
our feelings, say our work is good while
actually thinking ‘that was rubbish’ – we
can take it!”
Or, as well-known dancer DJ of the
Corali Dance Company has said: “not all Freefall dance company: the dancers are moving beyond educational projects to becoming more
learning disability work is great and it visible in public
doesn’t help if people say it is. We need to
be more self-critical, but this is tied in with Role models “I had a young learning disabled
self-confidence. A balance is needed.” Another reason why it is important employee in a supermarket come up to
socially to see learning disabled artists out me. He said: ‘Sarah you were brilliant
Sarah Gordy: there lies in the value of positive role yesterday, but you are not doing us any
“TV is inclined to models. Artists, musicians and sports favours. your characters are always
only have stories people can provide these roles; TV helpless and sad. Please play a character
about the portrayal can be very effective. with a job, a life and giggles.’ What could I
problems The visibility of great disabled role say? I don’t rule the world. That is the
Daniel Wakefield: Gareth evans; cartoon: Robin Meader; Sarah Gordy: David Parker; Freefall: Ty Singleton; Creative Minds event: Kate Green
disability brings” models on CBBC is something that the challenge ahead.”
BBC is rightly proud of. It can inspire In the subsidised arts sector, exciting
young disabled people and sow the seeds times are ahead. Many more disability
of acceptance in all young people. arts organisations are due to receive
However, actor Sarah Gordy (who has regular funding from Arts Council England
appeared in productions including from this April. In addition, all larger
Upstairs Downstairs and Call the Midwife), organisations will, for the first time,
Critiquing is essential to development. speaking at the Creative Minds north have to demonstrate how they address
However, one performer said: “I believe in conference, said: “TV is inclined to Arts Council england’s “creative case
my own quality as an artist. How ‘good’ only have stories about the problems for diversity” in terms of their
the art is up to the person watching.” disability brings. programming, artists, the staff they
contract and audiences.
An example of a larger organisation
already embarking on this is Birmingham
Royal Ballet, which has for some years
given space and opportunities to the
unique, hugely entertaining Freefall dance
company. Freefall has now moved into the
ballet company’s main artistic programme
from its education programme. This is
likely to bring it more into the sphere of
mainstream, public dance.
All in all, it feels that the creative
sector is growing in confidence and is
beginning to raise its profile –and this
can only be good news for the learning
disabled community and, indeed,
for everyone. n
● www.creativemindsproject.org.uk/

Gus Garside is national coordinator of
Creative Minds conferences are planned and hosted by artists with learning disabilities Creative Minds
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 3 | Spring 2018 15