In this second newsletter we look at the innovative use of technology to create accessible routes to artistic creation and audience experiences.

AMT (Accessible Music Technology) is on the cusp of moving from holding a niche place within music-making to becoming a part of a bigger mainstream practice. Disabled artists are at the forefront of creating innovative new ways of making music using technology. This film tells the stories of three of those artists.

The Inclusive Creativity symposium in Gothenberg in April 2016 addressed developments in inclusive ensembles, new technologies and international partnerships. From Ian Ritchie's viewpoint the innovations within Share Music's work in Sweden have been timed perfectly to dovetail with precedents established by The Setúbal Music Festival, now in its sixth year.

"The rapid pace of technological development is incredibly exciting in so many ways. It is making technology more affordable to a wider group of people which immediately starts to break down barriers." 

Carien Meijer gives an insight into how Drake Music is helping disabled musicians to lead developments in Accessible Music Technology, creating new artistic possibilities for all. 

Ignite is a programme of work unleashing the talents of three artists, Jez Colborne, Aideen Barry and Simon McKeown, on a scale never before seen in Ireland. From its inception in 2012 through to a large-scale multimedia event during Cork’s Culture Night and tour in September 2015, the legacy of Ignite continues.

Ruth Gould MBE DL, Artistic Director of DaDaFest in Liverpool, blogs about this year's festival and her selection of profiled artists on Disability Arts International. 

In advance of the theatre premiere of the Unlimited commission entitled HIM by Sheila Hill this week, we had to share this remarkable film featuring Tim Barlow, created during script development. With this beautiful work it's easy to see why tickets are going fast at the Southbank Centre 7&8 September or Tramway, Glasgow 17&18 September.

There's a lot to be excited about between now and the end of the year in the UK if you're into artwork by disabled artists and it starts today with the opening of the Unlimited Festival at London's Southbank Centre.
 

Accessibility was a major theme emerging from the Digital R&D Fund for the Arts, a programme funded by Nesta, Arts Council England and AHRC. This film explores some of the projects that researched how technology can break down barriers to accessing the arts.

Stagetext have teamed up with Digital Theatre to create accessible captioned versions of filmed productions which are now available to rent or buy online. 

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