The upskilling workshops are part of our brand-new Artist Development Programme, designed to support emerging disabled artists in developing their professional artistic career and practice. Led by leading disability arts organisations, you will have the opportunity to develop skills to grow your artistic practice.

What can I expect from an upskilling workshop?

• Learning from leading disability arts organisations including Corali, Extant, and Access All Areas
• Collaborating and networking with other emerging disabled artists in a supportive and nurturing environment
• Activities, presentations and opportunities for group discussion and sharing
• Exploration of topics including creative leadership, self-producing, and autobiographical performance

When and where are the workshops?

• The workshops are every Monday between 7th September and 5th October, from 3-5pm
• Each week is led by a different organisation and focusing on a different skill
• You can book to attend as many workshops as you like
• The workshops are hosted at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Programme:

Monday 7th September 2026, 3-5pm - ‘Creative Leadership: Making Space to Lead’ with Corali

Dancers from Corali will talk about how to enable learning disabled performers take a lead role in creative processes. By exploring Corali’s own methods of making original dance works, they will showcase how learning disabled creatives can grow in confidence and develop as leaders.

Monday 14th September 2026, 3-5pm - Top Tips for Self-Producing with Alison King (Chief Executive, Turtle Key Arts)

Want to understand what a producer does? Learn about the logistics behind setting up your project, budget tips, funding, how to work with a team and a producer, as well as tips on how to self produce at the beginning of your career journey.

Monday 21st September 2026, 3-5pm - ‘Pathways to Developing Disabled Leadership in the Arts’ with Extant

Artistic Director, Dr. Maria Oshodi of Extant, the UK’s longest performing arts company of visually impaired artists, will lead a session on pathways to developing disabled leadership in the arts. Referencing the different methods which Extant has established over the last 30 years, this session will explore the challenges and successes of practical and tested ideas, such as peer academy theatre training, in-house Artistic Director training and organisational dramaturgy; all through an interactive and lively approach.

Monday 28th September 2026, 3-5pm - TBC

Monday 5th October 2026, 3-5pm - 'Presenting Me' with Access All Areas

Access All Areas’ Artistic Director, Nick Llewellyn, and Associate Director, Emma Selwyn, discuss the ideas behind some of Access All Areas’ shows. They explore autobiographical performance-making through videos and practical demonstrations. Workshop participants will reflect on how they can draw on their own experiences, and use these experiences to think through how to develop potential new contemporary shows.

For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!