Celebrating Inclusivity
Celebrating Opportunities for Inclusivity in the Creative Sector: Join the Movement
At Creative Portal, we believe in the transformative power of the creative industries to foster inclusivity and opportunity for everyone. The creative sector has made great strides in breaking down barriers and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, but there is still more work to be done. Together, we can continue building an industry where creativity is accessible to all, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance.
Breaking Barriers: Inclusivity in the Creative Industries
The creative sector has always been a vibrant hub for diverse perspectives and talent. Yet, despite its openness, many people from underrepresented groups still face significant challenges. Access to networks, representation of disabled individuals and people of colour, and economic barriers are just a few of the issues still prevalent. However, recent efforts have started to make a difference. According to the UK's Creative Industries Council, diversity is improving with 16% of the creative workforce from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and over 21% identifying as having a disability. While these numbers show progress, they also highlight that there’s more to be done.
At Creative Portal, we are committed to supporting inclusivity through action. Our platform is designed to provide resources, opportunities, and connections to those who face challenges breaking into the creative industries. We are proud to work alongside organisations that share this vision, and we invite you to join us in this mission.
Leading by Example: Partnerships and Initiatives
Our journey toward inclusivity is guided by meaningful partnerships and initiatives. We are thrilled to announce Mark Noble as our Inclusivity Ambassador. Mark is not only an artist but also a passionate advocate for making the arts accessible to all. His leadership, advocacy, and vision are crucial in helping us build an inclusive creative space.
We have sought guidance from the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and Vision Norfolk to make our platform more accessible for those with visual impairments. And we’re excited to engage with Art4All and disability advocate Sandra Hampton, as we continue expanding our reach and impact.
Building Inclusivity Through Education
We believe that education and mentorship are key to breaking down barriers. As part of our inclusivity efforts, we’ve organized Screen Skills Week, with events designed for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Partnering with Speakers for Schools, we’ve provided a platform for these students to engage with creative professionals, opening their eyes to the possibilities of a career in the creative industries. This is just the beginning, and we are eager to expand these initiatives.
The Road Ahead: Ensuring Access for All in the Creative Sector
While progress has been made, the creative sector still has significant work to do in making arts and culture fully accessible to everyone. The journey toward inclusivity requires not only broad commitments but also concrete actions that address the specific needs of underrepresented communities. This means ensuring that people from all backgrounds, especially those with disabilities, have the same opportunities to participate, create, and lead within the industry.
Creating Access for All: Making Reasonable Adjustments in the Creative Sector
The concept of access for all goes beyond simply providing entry into creative spaces—it means adapting environments, programs, and opportunities to meet diverse needs. To achieve this, the sector must focus on making reasonable adjustments that allow everyone to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.
This includes:
Accessible Workspaces and Events: Arts organisations must ensure their physical spaces are fully accessible, from installing ramps and accessible seating to providing sensory-friendly environments. Many venues, such as the Tate Modern in London, have led by example, offering accessible exhibition tours and workshops tailored for visitors with disabilities, including sign language interpretation and tactile experiences for those with visual impairments.
Technology and Innovation: Leveraging technology can revolutionise access in the arts. For instance, the Barbican Centre has introduced digital programs, such as live captioning and audio description, to ensure performances are accessible to deaf and visually impaired audiences. Creative companies could further invest in accessible online platforms, virtual exhibitions, and digital engagement tools that cater to people with varying abilities.
Tailored Programs for Disabled Creatives: More arts organisations are creating targeted programs to support disabled artists. Shape Arts, for example, offers artist residencies specifically for disabled creatives, giving them the space, resources, and mentorship to develop their practice. Additionally, Unlimited commissioning programs have funded groundbreaking work by disabled artists, bringing their voices and stories into the mainstream.
Inclusive Audiences and Programming: Expanding access means ensuring the content itself is inclusive. This could involve commissioning work by disabled artists or creating performances and exhibitions that explore themes of accessibility and disability. Companies like Graeae Theatre, a leading disabled-led theatre company in the UK, have set a strong precedent by integrating accessibility into their performances through sign language, captioning, and creative use of sound to engage all audience members.
Flexible Working Models: Accessibility in the workplace must also be prioritised. For many creatives with disabilities, traditional 9-to-5 roles in offices or studios aren’t always feasible. Offering remote working options, flexible hours, and adaptive technology can make the industry more inclusive. Arts organizations like the BBC’s "Extend Hub" program have led the way by offering internships and roles tailored to individuals with disabilities, which include workplace adjustments and flexibility in roles.
Initiatives Leading the Way
Several initiatives have already shown how access for all can be achieved within the creative sector:
DaDaFest:
This Liverpool-based arts festival highlights the talents of disabled artists through performances, exhibitions, and discussions, all designed to foster a culture of inclusion. By putting disabled artists centre stage, DaDaFest proves that accessibility doesn’t mean compromising on artistic quality—it enriches it.Access All Areas: This organisation provides creative training and career support for disabled and neurodivergent artists. Their immersive theatre performances are specifically designed to be accessible to all audiences, blending storytelling with access tools like live audio description and British Sign Language interpretation, setting a model for inclusive programming.
Ramps on the Moon: A groundbreaking initiative among UK theatres, this project brings together six major regional theatres to increase opportunities for disabled artists, actors, and creatives. By embedding disabled performers in mainstream productions, Ramps on the Moon showcases how the arts can be accessible, impactful, and commercially successful.
Vocal Eyes:Focusing on accessibility in the visual arts, Vocal Eyes provides audio descriptions for exhibitions, allowing visually impaired audiences to experience art in new ways. They have partnered with institutions like the British Museum and the National Gallery, ensuring that their collections are inclusive to a wider audience.
Suggestions for Future Action in the Sector
To continue driving accessibility and inclusivity, the creative sector can focus on:
Universal Design for Creativity:Embracing universal design principles, where accessibility is considered from the start of all creative projects, not as an afterthought. This means that both artists and audiences with diverse abilities are included in every phase of creative work—from concept to final execution.
Professional Development Programs for Disabled Creatives:
Arts organizations should commit to offering mentorship and training for disabled artists, helping them break into senior creative roles. This could include leadership training programs, accessible networking events, and investment in upskilling.
Diversity in Leadership:
It's vital to increase representation of disabled people, women, and people of color in senior roles within arts organizations. The cultural sector must go beyond tokenism by making leadership roles more accessible through apprenticeships, paid internships, and inclusive leadership pipelines.
Ongoing Funding for Accessibility Programs:
The government, private donors, and arts councils should prioritize funding programs that promote accessibility in the arts. More commissioning grants, like those provided by Unlimited, should be available to disabled artists to ensure their work has the support and visibility it deserves.
Join the Conversation: Your Ideas Matter
Creative Portal is not just a platform—it’s a community. We are committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented talents and working toward a more inclusive creative sector. But we can’t do it alone. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas on how we can continue building a truly inclusive space. Whether you’re an artist, industry professional, or simply passionate about creative inclusivity, your voice matters.
In the words of our Inclusivity Ambassador, Mark Noble: “Creativity knows no boundaries—so neither should opportunity.”
Together, we can push for greater inclusivity in the creative sector, ensuring that talent and passion, regardless of background or ability, are celebrated and given the chance to thrive.
Mark Noble – Creative Portal's Inclusivity Ambassador
Mark Noble is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in the arts. As the Inclusivity Ambassador for Creative Portal, Mark works tirelessly to break down barriers and ensure that underrepresented voices are heard. His commitment to accessibility and diversity drives Creative Portal’s mission to make the arts available to all.
An Amazing Partner – Sandra Hampton, Founder of Art4ALL
Sandra Hampton is the visionary behind Art4ALL, a Margate-based organization that champions accessibility in the arts. Through workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative projects, Sandra creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage with art, building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Visit www.creativeportal.co.uk