TYPE OF WORK
Arts workshops, projects and events for disabled and older people.

TARGET GROUPS
People with sensory learning and physical disabilities and older people.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK

COMPANY POLICY
To open up access to the arts, enabling greater participation by disabled and older people. There is also a Deaf Arts Programme.

Shape delivers National Vocational Qualifications, Certificate and Diploma arts management courses, short training courses and placements for disabled people and STAN, a network of young disabled artists.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 10 maximum
Number of participants: 50 maximum
Preparation time: 2 weeks – 1 month
Contact time: Varies

PERMANENT STAFF: 20
Steve Mannix, Chief Executive
Stevie Rice, Head of Education and Training
Catherine Bloodworth, Islington Arts Officer
Cath Hawes, Wandsworth Arts Officer
Sally Booth, Hammersmith Arts Officer
John Wilson, Deaf Arts Officer
Chris Buck, Administrator

Vinyl Dreams Programme (UK, 2002)
A recording opportunity giving disabled musicians assistance in recording new music, developing new audiences and breaking into the mainstream music industry. This is achieved by providing the musicians with an opportunity to record a professional quality CD. The CDs are then launched with live performances and additional press, publicity and marketing.

Shape has so far enabled three musicians to record a CD.  As a result they have achieved a huge amount of recognition and success.

Partners:  Arts Council England, The Performing Rights Society Foundation, Shape in Islington, Islington Council, Attitude is Everything – improving disabled people’s access to live music.

Young Carers Theatre Project: Theatre and video project (spring 2004)

Citizenship: Using performance in schools as an education aid (2003-04)

Deaf Theatre Programme: Theatre training for deaf people (2003-04)

Activate: Training 30 disabled artists in delivering disability equality training using their arts skills.

Art Signs: Increasing deaf people’s access to cultural venues and employment opportunities in museums and galleries.