Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists
FCP Summer Gathering
On 4 June, DASH brought together our Future Curators Programme (FCP) partners in Cornwall for the ‘FCP Summer Gathering 2026’, kindly hosted by Programme partner, Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange.
FCP is DASH's pioneering residency programme for Disabled curators within mainstream visual arts institutions, run in partnership with Arts Catalyst, Disability Arts Online, John Hansard Gallery, MAC Birmingham, MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange, and Wysing Arts Centre.
Our hybrid event (at the Exchange and online via Zoom), was an opportunity to welcome and celebrate the new FCP curators, learn more about their practice, and hear about their residency plans. It also offered a space for the partners to spend time together, see and create art, build relationships, share ideas, and make deeper connections.
Newlyn and The Exchange Future Curator, Ashanti Hare said of The Gathering, “It was a joy to meet my fellow FCP curators and the participating organisations in person at the summer gathering and to learn more about each other's practices and interests. It was also lovely having them see and engage with the exhibitions at Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange. I hope there are more in the near future!”
Much time and thought and planning was given to the day, including an Easier to Read welcome pack, regular scheduled breaks, meeting attendee list and bios.
Online attendees were also sent the welcome pack in advance as well as a small care package including tea, pencils, and original artwork by DASH CEO/ Artistic Director and aromatic leaves from her garden – offering a tangible connection to the day for those joining remotely.
In the venue itself, a cosey and comfortable quiet space was created, including low lighting, beanbags, blankets, fidget toys, back massager and scented geranium. Whilst in the main meeting space, additional comfy seating was located at the back of the room.
The meeting table was decorated in a full-length paper tablecloth that had been made the day before in a creative session led by DASH Artist/ CEO/Artistic Director, Heather Peak with the DASH and Newlyn team. On top of this were more assorted geraniums, fidget toys… and of course the Owl: a 360° camera and microphone, helping those online feel more connected.
Following the introductions to the curators, we were fortunate to be able to view Lubita Sibungu: ZED LOVE at The Exchange, and for Lubita herself to talk about her solo exhibition where she works with early photographic techniques alongside drawing and sound to uncover the hidden layers, energies, and histories that connect people to place.
Those attending in real life visited Lubita’s exhibition in the gallery while online attendees were able to watch a pre-recorded film of the exhibition with Programme Co-Ordinator, Cat Gibbard.
In the final session of the day, the network was joined online by Sean Lee, Director of Programming at Tangled Arts + Disability, Toronto, Canada with Rachel Fleming-Mulford of DASH for an external provocation. They discussed Tangled’s approach to centring disability justice and decolonial practice in its curatorial programme, and took questions from the group.
Many of the Future Curator network partners and curators had travelled long distances or took time to attend the day online and it really did make for a joyful experience.
It was exciting to see such depth of commitment to the Future Curator Programme, systems change, and support for disabled and marginalised voices within the visual arts sector. We are excited for the work ahead!