Creative Access Production Programme 2025

About the Open Call

The Disrupt Disability Arts Festival's Creative Access Production Programme aims to address the need for accessible arts engagement and support disabled arts workers in Ireland. This funded program provides 14-18 months of hybrid mentorship, cross-artform research, international placement learning, and practical workshops in creative accessibility such as creative captioning, visual vernacular, and audio description. Participants will also receive training, including ISL Literacy, and undertake trainee producer placements at the Disrupt Disability Arts Festival in 2026 and 2027. The program is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Funding The Arts, and supported by Rethink Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Safe To Create.

What is Offered

The program offers mentorship with creative access production experts, cross-artform research and international placement learning, creative access workshops (Creative Captioning, Visual Vernacular, Audio Description, Assistive Technology Equipment, building Pre-visit materials), training including ISL Literacy, and Trainee Producer Placements at Disrupt Disability Arts Festival 2026 & 2027. Participants receive a payment of €10,000 covering approximately 40-50 contact days plus personal development time, spread across the program. Additional travel, accommodation, and access expenses are agreed in advance.

Requirements

The program is open to a group of diverse artists, arts workers, or producers with a lived experience of disability, who have a passion for Creative Accessible Production. At least one participant should identify as d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH). Applicants do not need prior producer experience but must have professional arts experience in some capacity.

How to Apply

Applicants must send their CV (no more than 3 pages), a short statement (approx. 500 words) outlining interest, experience, and motivations, and an access rider or fill out the Google form (https://forms.gle/4hCn29xwHRU3cfn79). Application documents should be emailed to cathy@disruptfestival.ie by 1pm on Monday, August 18th, 2025. Accessible formats accepted include video/audio files (max 5 minutes) and ISL videos, submitted via Google Drive, YouTube, or Vimeo (ensure not password protected). Applicants can book a chat regarding their application before August 4th.