Arts Disability Network Receives £20,000 National Lottery Funding to Empower Disabled Artists

LONDON - July 16, 2024 - PRLog -- Arts Disability Network celebrates £20,000 National Lottery funding to expand support for disabled artists in the UK. Founded in February 2023, ADN, led by disabled artists Krisztina Ferencz, Myra Stuart, and Nu McAdam, aims to provide vital resources and community for artists with disabilities and chronic health conditions..

The establishment and development of ADN has been greatly supported by Intercultural Roots for Public Health, with Dr. Alex Boyd, Corrie Hardaker, and Wendy Van Der Haagen Boyd's support. The Intercultural Roots charity emerged from embodied research and focuses on arts for health and social change, not only the health of individuals, but of communities - including their relationship to the environment.

The ADN Steering Group, led by Krisztina Ferencz, Candice Black, and Myra Stuart, consulted with the disabled arts community, gathering 100+ responses to shape the network. ADN now offers online workshops, training, and a resource library for disabled adult artists, fostering career growth and community support. Their goal is to empower disabled artists through enhanced programming and accessible platforms for artistic expression.

Myra Stuart, ADN Programme Manager, says: "We're delighted The National Lottery Community Fund has recognized our work. Now, we'll press on to broaden opportunities for disabled artists. This funding provides upskilling workshops on how to succeed in an often inaccessible industry, helping artists build relationships and create supportive circles."

Nu McAdam, ADN Project Outreach & Disability Support Coordinator, says: "I'm excited to be involved with such an amazing project. As an access coordinator and community consultant enthusiast, this is a dream come true - to make more disabled creatives' goals come true - because together we are radical and beautiful."

ADN invites anyone interested in joining the community or learning more about their work to get in touch via their online contact form. To further support ADN's mission, individuals can participate in their ongoing questionnaire, designed to survey the collective needs of potential members and plan future initiatives.  https://tinyurl.com/ArtsDisabilityNetwork

The National Lottery Community Fund's new strategy, 'It starts with community', aims to distribute £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030, focusing on supporting communities to come together, environmental sustainability, children and youth development, and promoting healthier lives. Last year, National Lottery players raised over £30 million weekly, enabling the fund to distribute £615.4 million to communities. More information: www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk.

About Intercultural Roots: Intercultural Roots for Public Health (CIO, Charity Commission for England and Wales Registration No. 1179885)  leverages the arts for health and social change including, health improvement, community empowerment and environmental action. Through innovative projects and collaborations, Intercultural Roots strives to advance inclusive creativity and care, and promote sustainable development. Interculturalroots.org