The Professors are an independent performing arts company, named for professing our knowledge and demonstrating our particular expertise in arts and collaboration. They are a group of learning disabled and non-disabled artists, create their own performances, films, installations, music, events, and exhibitions.
The challenge
People with a learning disability need more care and support with areas such as mobility, personal care and communication and often suffer health inequalities throughout their lives.
Excluded over many years from the cultural community or considered less than, The Professors recognise that with the right support, artists living with a learning disability can fulfil their creative potential.
The Professors are a voice that together demonstrates the skills, knowledge and lived experiences of learning disabled people. Our challenge is three-fold; to sustain and develop our practice, to share our knowledge and experiences with the widest audiences, and to build an engaged and inclusive cultural community.
The solution
Sheffield Museums enable us, through hosting us at Weston Park Museum and the support of all staff there. This gives us a baseline to work from, it influences our decision making and creative work and also enables us to grow in an inclusive creative environment. The confidence and ability of the group has developed enormously since the beginning of our residency and given us a status as artists otherwise not available to us by performing/exhibiting and working in this mainstream venue.
The impact
For the group:
- Access in the true sense of the word.
- Opportunity to develop creatively
- Opportunity to discuss/work on major issues relating to our lives.
- Becoming visible as disabled people in relation to our ‘invisibleness’ in mainstream culture, particularly being housed in historical context at the museum.
- Opportunity to make profound meaningful works ready for mainstream consumption.
- Working alongside other professionals in the arts.
- Given value as artists.
- Feeling of “belonging”
- Conversations about art with non-disabled and disabled public.
For the museum: collaboration, creativity and confidence
How is the new approach being sustained?
Precariously. The Professors operate on personal budgets and the project operates on minimum funds; the long-term residency at Weston Park Museum is very helpful in supporting our sustainability but we are constantly looking for further support.
Lessons learned
Promotion of this work is needed to influence and inspire others.
Contact
Kirstie Hamilton, Director of Programmes, email: [email protected]