Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists

Inside - application deadline extended

Inside is an exciting new development opportunity for Galleries, Museums, Libraries and Archives across the Midlands to commission new high quality work by Disabled visual artists from across the UK and Internationally.

The aims of Inside are:

  • To change the culture of Galleries, Museums and Libraries through a practical partnership with DASH.
  • To work with a number of Galleries, Museums and Libraries across the Midlands.
  • To increase the number of Disabled and Deaf artists exhibiting and/or
  • developing curatorial skills in mainstream Galleries, Museums and Libraries.
  • To promote and develop Disabled and Deaf People as an audience, and as participants in the Visual Arts.

We will achieve these aims by offering three commissions each for £7000:

  • One to a mainstream Gallery to select a Disabled artist to 'exhibit' or select a Disabled artist as a curator, who will develop an exhibition or exhibitions.
  • One to a Museum to select a Disabled artist to work with their collection/audience/archive.
  • One to a Library to select a Disabled artist to work with their audience/collection/archive.

Inside is a major development from our previous programmes, Outside IN (2009-12) and IN (2012-15). The scale and scope will be much broader, working with Museums and Libraries as well as Galleries to widen the scope of commissioned opportunities for disabled artists and for more audiences to engage with the work.

DASH has been an instigator and initiator of the commissioning of new work by Disabled visual artists within mainstream galleries since 2008, enabling Disabled artists to create new work and collaborate with new institutions.

In collaboration, we seek to commission work by leading national and international disabled artists, examining the way in which diversity is an intrinsic part of the creative process and enabling these artists and venues to transcend barriers.

We are currently looking for applications from partner organisations. 

The closing date for submission of applications has now been extended until 5pm on Friday 16th October 2015.