Our work at Cohere Arts seeks to address inequalities of access to arts, culture and health. To do this, we work hard to try to understand barriers to engagement, which can include factors relating to health, mobility, disability, opportunity and even pre-conceptions about capability or belonging.
Our board and creative team includes people living with disabilities and a variety of health challenges, reflecting a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. We ensure our activities are either free or highly subsidised to allow everyone to participate.
We know that access can mean different things to different people. We know that it begins with a conversation. As we grow, we continue to learn about accessibility from the people we are working with, and are committed to sharing this knowledge. We also offer opportunities for artists and creatives to learn from our experience in this area. Click here to find out about our current training offers.
“Many organisations however well-meaning have left me feeling more disabled than ever. Cohere Arts has been so different and refreshing, allowing me to express myself freely on a level playing field.”
Project participant
Integrating accessibility into the creative process
In 2021, Cohere Arts Artistic Director Amy Mallett was awarded a DYCP grant from Arts Council England to investigate how accessibility can/should be integrated into the creative process of artists, from an idea’s inception to its production or presentation. This involved a series of interviews with arts practitioners, as well as practical exploration and audience consultation, documented in the blogs below:
Jenni Elbourne on audio description, accessibility and authenticity
What is audio description and how is it used to improve accessibility in the arts?
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Jenni Elbourne on how to improve accessibility in the performing arts
Practical and aesthetic considerations for artists and creatives who want to make their work more accessible.
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Nathan Geering on finding a new aesthetic that works for everybody
Amy talks to dance and accessibility innovator Nathan Geering about what inspired him to develop The Rationale Method
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Nathan Geering on making accessible performance work: feeling the fear and doing it anyway
Part 2 of an interview with Nathan Geering. Where do artists and creatives start when thinking about expanding the reach of their work beyond mainstream audiences?
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Video specialist Jim Horsfield talks about the role technology can play in making performing arts…
How interactive technology can invite audiences into unexpected art experiences
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Kate Collier talks about interpreting music for the deaf and hard of hearing
The delicate art of making music performance accessible to d/deaf audiences
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Clare’s story
In 2022, with access funding from Arts Council England, we were able to provide the additional support needed to enable visually impaired performer Clare Burman to take the leap from community performer to being part of the professional cast of our music theatre production Witchfinder.
“With sight loss, it is easy to feel isolated and marginalised in society, hovering on the outside looking in. During this project however, I have never felt so involved and connected to ‘my’ community.”
Clare Burman
The short film below tells the story of the production from the perspective of cast member Clare and director Emma Bernard. Within the film they discuss accessibility, disability and the importance of representation within the performing arts.