CRIPtic Arts

Black graphic with white text reading "One week left to apply for our 2026 Artist Development." With abstract paint of green, blue and pink by Rachel Gadsden. With logos for CRIPtic Arts and Arts Council England.

Just one week left to apply for our 2026 artist development programmes for disabled creatives! 🎭📖✨

📅 Applications open until Friday 13 March at 5pm

🔗 Learn more & apply - cripticarts.org/artist-devel...

We can’t wait to connect, read your applications and find our 2026 cohort!

Black graphic with white text reading Artist Development 2026 now open With abstract paint of green, blue and pink.

@cripticarts.bsky.social will once again deliver four artist development programmes, Reach, Launchpad, Breakthrough and Incubate. Each project is designed to support disabled creatives at different stages in their career.

Applications close - 13 Mar

disabilityarts.online/opportunity-...

First image is a black and blue graphic with white text reading "Free online workshops for disabled creatives" with a vibrant green neon painting by Rachel Gadsden beneath with a paper torn effect.

That's right, folks! We've got a whole new season of Connect Through Creativity coming up and we CAN'T WAIT! Check out the line up of incredible disabled creatives
🎉

Spaces are available to book now - cripticarts.org/events/

Ozioma Ihesiene, a black woman wearing a white head wrap and green hoodie, reads from a script.

A bold abstract artwork with a mix of purples and blues with white text reading "Reach, for writers"

🌱 Reach - Supporting five emerging writers to develop their first full-length show with a programme of online workshops, peer-facilitated sessions and writers’ residentials, ending in an industry sharing of the work.

📅 Applications open now until Friday 13 March at 5pm
cripticarts.org/reach/

Tatum Swithenbank, a white non-binary person with short hair and a burgundy hat rehearses in a theatre space with black backdrop. They sit in their manual wheelchair with hand raised pointing up.

A bold abstract artwork with a mix of oranges, purples and reds with white text reading "Launchpad, for theatremakers"

🚀 Launchpad is a development and staging scheme for four theatremakers to further develop an existing script, culminating in a 20-minute staging as part of a showcase produced and directed by CRIPtic Arts at Tobacco Factory Theatres

📅 Applications open until 13 March
cripticarts.org/launchpad/

Miss Jacqui, a black electric wheelchair user wearing all green, performs into a microphone on stage, lit by warm pink lighting. Her eyes are closed as she performs with emotion, with one hand raised.

A bold abstract artwork with a mix of oranges, pinks and reds with white text reading "Incubate, for cultural leaders"

Introducing one of four artist development programmes for disabled creatives.

Incubate is a leadership development programme for disabled people creating cultural change in the arts, as individuals or by building small organisations 🥚

📅 Applications open until 13th March

cripticarts.org/incubate

Production shot from The Acts at The Barbican. Rachel Gadsden, a white woman with short cropped hair wearing a skeletal skirt with syringes hooked around, stands looking out at the audience with arms raised and a triumphant look. Behind her is a bright painting out of focus.

A bold abstract artwork with a mix of oranges, purples and reds with white text reading "Breakthrough, for creators"

🔨 It's time to BREAKTHROUGH

Breakthrough is one of four artist development programmes for disabled creatives, a one-year commission for a mid or late-career creative to break the barriers to mainstream success.

📅 Applications open now until Friday 13 March at 5pm

cripticarts.org/breakthrough/

..into the broad, the divergent, the fictional, the historical, the political, and the fantastical - work that deals with big themes, and big questions - whether or not it mentions disability at all.

We can’t wait to connect, read your applications and find our 2026 cohort!

Our artistic vision for 2026 is to support disabled people to tell big stories, instead of just being asked to serve our trauma up to non-disabled audiences. We are excited by work that makes space for disabled people to go beyond just telling stories about our lives, diagnoses and struggles, and..

Nurturing the practice and work of disabled creatives is integral to us. When we talk about disabled people, we mean “people who face disableist [including audist] barriers”, or “people who identify themselves as deaf or disabled – or are identified by others as deaf or disabled in society”.

💬 Not sure if it's for you? Join Artistic Director Jamie Hale for an online Q&A on Tuesday 24 February, 1-2pm, where they’ll chat you through the programmes and what they’re looking for in applications.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cp26-qa-se...

🌱 Reach - Supporting five emerging writers to develop their first full-length show with a programme of online workshops, peer-facilitated sessions and writers’ residentials, ending in an industry sharing of the work.

🚀 Launchpad - A development and staging scheme for four theatremakers to further develop an existing script, culminating in a 20-minute staging as part of a showcase produced and directed by CRIPtic Arts at Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol in September 2026.

🥚 Incubate - A leadership development programme for disabled people creating cultural change in the arts, whether as individuals or by building small organisations.

🔨 Breakthrough - A one-year commission for a mid or late-career creative to break the barriers to mainstream success.

Black graphic with white text reading "Artist Development 2025 now open" With abstract paint of green, blue and pink.

🚨 BIG NEWS 🚨

We’re BACK with our 2026 artist development programmes for disabled creatives, and applications are officially open! 🎭📖✨

📅 Applications open now until Friday 13 March at 5pm

cripticarts.org/artist-development/

#CRIPticArts #DisabledCreatives #ArtistDevelopment #CripCreativity

Yellow and white graphic with black text reading "Deptford Literature Festival. CRIPtic x London Writers Salon with Jamie Hale and Abi Palmer. Saturday 28th March 2026, 5:30pm, Online." Included in the graphic are headshots of Jamie and Abi, and black illustrations of buildings and figures.

CRIPtic are so excited to be part of #DeptfordLitFest 2026!

You can catch us on Saturday 28th March as part of this year’s programme with a special online Writers Salon. Festival run by @ldnwriterscentre.bsky.social & Tom MacAndrew.

www.londonwriterscentre.org.uk/events/?_eve...

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Follow our socials or sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know what's coming this week! 👀

Video description:
A white and blue loading graphic turns in a circle with the CRIPtic Arts logo in its centre. Text reads "Artist development 2026. Loading..."

Two performers on stage, washed in warm and blue lighting

OFFIE FINALISTS! 🎉 🎉

A massive congratulations to CRIPtic Arts Artistic Director, Jamie Hale, and CRIPtic Reach & Incubate 2025 Artists Marcy Rick and Claire Beerjeraz for their Offie Nomination for their incredible staging of Transpose at the Barbican 🎉 🎉

Photo by Sophia Stefellé 📸

#Offies2026

6 polaroid photos spread out on a warm wood grain table. 1) Peyvand and EM grin at the camera, the warm lights and mirrors of the dressing rooms are visible behind them. 2) Ru and Sha are caught doing an enthusiastic 'coo!' at the camera. Sha is holding Pru the Pidge. 3) Miggy and Jamie with Foxy squatting between them, all smiling at the camera. Foxy has a hand on Miggy's chair and Jamie a hand on Foxy's shoulder. The lights and colours of the bar are visible in the background. 4) A group shot of Peyvand, Georgi, EM, Ru, Nathan, Taytum and Sha beaming with their arms round one another against a background of concrete wall and the costume rail. Several red Old Vic lanyards can be seen around people's necks. Heartbreakingly, only half of Sha's face is visible! 5) An action shot of Rudzani celebrating in the dressing room! Fists clenched, mouth wide open and hair moving as Georgi and Sha grins in the background 6) Georgi and Nathan stand close together with big smiles looking at the camera, the costume rail just peeking out behind Nathan.

The Acts as told through Foxy's polaroid camera 📸

What a joyous weekend filled with disabled art and storytelling 🌟

Mid rehearsal, movement director Rudzani Moleya kneels on one knee smiling at two actors on a bed, Georgi Arthur and Nathan Patterson. In the background is director Jamie Hale.

Actors Georgi Arthur and Nathan Patterson performing The Ache of It, their faces are touching whilst they share an embrace, smiling. A warm light surrounds them.

SO SHA performing Pruu the Pidj. She wears a brightly coloured matching shirt and trouser set with pink, blue and green patterns and yellow lemons. Arms stretched out in front of her hold Pruu, a knitted pigeon wearing a red scarf, they look at each other smiling.

In the rehearsal room, two people, Jamie Hale and Miggy Barker are out of focus in the foreground, they’re both using electric wheelchairs and looking on to the action behind them. In the background in focus is movement director Rudzani Moleya, and actors Georgi Arthur and Nathan Patterson. Rudzani and Georgi stand whilst Nathan lies on the bed.

New rehearsal images just dropped for The Acts 🔥

The phenomenal Shona Louise Cobb joined us at rehearsals this weekend to capture some of the magic of The Acts.

✨ The Acts
📍 Bristol Old Vic
🗓️ 23 and 24 January 2026

bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/cri...

Image Description: A series of four artworks by Rachel Gadsden. The first painting depicts a brightly coloured pigeon with blue and purple brush strokes. Behind them stands a housing block with a yellow and white orb hanging in a dark night sky. In front of the pigeon are sharp spikes of black and pink, with mixed media scattered around including string, rollerblades, and distorted words printed. The second painting sees a grey and brown wolf burst from swirls of brown watercolour. Their face holds a snarl of white teeth and bright yellow eyes. The third painting shows a scene of a bedroom with lush pillows on the bed and two suitcases stacked in front. The colours are abstract, saturated and bold, with pinks and blues, purples and greens, yellow and oranges all bouncing off each other. The fourth and final painting features a detailed fly with blue and green glistening body and large red eyes.

The Acts is a gathering of four daring new works from some of the UK's most exciting disabled theatre makers. Tatum Swithenbank conjures REALMS, a spell-like journey through folklore, disability, and magick. Caitlin Magnal-Kearns weaves a love story of desire, guilt, and aging with tender humour in The Ache of It. Kathrine Payne's dark comedy body job follows two lovers as they collide and unravel, exploring the growing phenomenon of lonely deaths in the UK and the tangled realities of shame, labour, and love. SO SHA invites us into Pruu the Pidj, a music-led ritual about survival, softness, and finding home in unlikely places.

I have a piece on as part of @cripticarts.bsky.social The Acts at Bristol Old Vic!

It’s on next Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th, it would be brilliant to have a great audience there to watch new work by disabled creatives ♥️

bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/cri...

A series of four artworks by Rachel Gadsden, each depicting a different show as part of The Acts 2026.

In a cultural moment that asks disabled artists to fit into neat boxes, @cripticarts.bsky.social The Acts asks what happens when we refuse.

When - 23-24 Jan
Where - Bristol
Cost - From £11

disabilityarts.online/events/cript...

CRIPtic Arts: The Acts | Bristol Old Vic The Acts is a gathering of four daring new works from some of the UK’s most exciting disabled theatre makers.…

📣 On sale now! 📣

The Acts is a gathering of four daring new works from some of the UK’s most exciting disabled theatre makers.

📍 Bristol Old Vic, Weston Studio
🗓️ 23rd and 24th January 2026, 8pm

Blue graphic with text reading So you want to... make theatre. With Debbie Hanan

Join @cripticarts.bsky.social and Debbie Hannan for a workshop on how to form your idea into a pitch, communicate with potential partners, and strategies for building industry connections and championing your work.

When - 18 Nov
Where - Online
Cost - Free

disabilityarts.online/events/works...

A pink graphic with text reading CRIPtic Chats, Networking with Alice Christina-Corrigan

Join @cripticarts.bsky.social and Alice Christina-Corrigan for CRIPtic Chats, an open space for deaf and disabled creatives to drop in, chat, and meet friendly new faces.

When - 26 November
Where - Online
Cost - Free

disabilityarts.online/events/netwo...

Pink graphic with text reading 'the story is in the room' next to an image. A white woman, with shoulder length brown hair wearing a crocheted multicoloured headband and gold-rimmed glasses and gold jewellery, wears green stripey dungarees as she takes a selfie in her room.

Join @cripticarts.bsky.social and Florence Limb for a workshop that will help you to define your own path and claim your identity as a writer.

When - 11 November
Where - Online
Cost - Free

disabilityarts.online/events/works...

Casting call

We are casting for two performers for, The Ache of It, a new work by Caitlin Magnall Kearns, which will be performed as part of CRIPtic Arts’ The Acts at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio in January 2026.

Fiona: Fat Late 20s-50s Have or be able to perform an Irish accent d/Deaf/disabled/neurodivergent Simon: Late 20s-50s Have or be able to perform an Irish accent d/Deaf/disabled/neurodivergent

About The Ache of It: Set in a seaside B&B in Northern Ireland, The Ache of It follows Simon, a married cab driver with osteoarthritis who feels like he’s past his prime, and Fiona, a fat, bisexual widow, as they embark on a complex, decade-long affair. The Ache of It places disabled and fat bodies at the heart of a romantic narrative, exploring themes of desire, guilt, aging, and care with humanity, craic and honesty. The excerpt of the piece performed at the showcase will be 20 minutes in total.

Casting call for two performers for The Ache of It, a new work by Caitlin Magnall Kearns ✨

To be performed as part of CRIPtic Arts’ The Acts at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio in January 2026 🌟

Deadline: Friday 31st October.

Find out more and apply - cripticarts.org/jobs-2/

Want to know how to build a bespoke rehearsal process that suits your show? Join us next Tuesday for Building a Rehearsal Process with Debbie Hannah! ✨

Our workshops are free and open to anyone!

🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workshop-b...

A red border with the Fringe Theatre Awards logo surrounds a photo. Liberty logo is digitally imposed behind a professional studio shot. Three women, two are white and one has brown skin, surround a pile of sand against a grey background in a variety of dynamic balletic positions. Photo by Mefus Photography of Daughters of the Sea.

Larger version of the Fringe Theatre Awards logo. Red and white text over a black circle with red ribbon overlaid reading "Access". Text at top reads "25/26 nomination"

We're delighted to share that we've been nominated in the Access Category of @fringetheatreaward.bsky.social for Liberty ✨

The Fringe Theatre Awards congratulate CRIPtic Arts in the Access Category for their “Liberty Festival”
Please see full nominations on the FTA website #theFTA