Disrupt Disability Arts Festival advocates for accessible arts engagement and breaks down barriers to cultivate a vibrant cultural life in Ireland. Through past festivals we hired several independent disabled arts workers in assistant producer roles to work with our festival artists from diverse disability arts communities. This highlighted the need for the Creative Access Production Programme. We applied for funding to specifically address this need and were successful.
The Creative Access Production Programme is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Funding The Arts, and supported by Rethink Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Safe To Create.
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Open Call - Easy Read
What is the Creative Access Production Programme?
The Creative Access Production Programme will offer the following mentorship, training, support and work placements over 14-18 months;
- Mentorship with creative access production experts
- Cross-Artform Research & International Placement learning embedded access best practice
- Creative Access Workshops: Creative Captioning, Visual Vernacular, Audio Description, Assistive Technology Equipment, building Pre-visit materials
- Training inc. ISL Literacy
- Trainee Producer Placements at Disrupt Disability Arts Festival 2026 & 2027
Who is it for?
We are looking for a group of diverse artists, arts workers or producers, with a lived experience of disability, who have a passion for Creative Accessible Production. We want at least one of the participants to identify as d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH). There are 3-4 spaces on the programme in total.
We will tailor the programme to each of the participants, with some shared opportunities. We will also respond to the individual access requirements of each participant, so the duration and intensity of the programme may differ for each person.
You do not need to have experience as a producer, but you do need to have professional arts experience in some capacity.
When does it take place?
The programme will take place over 14-18 months and will start in Autumn 2025. Exact dates will be coordinated with participants, interpreters and industry partners. This is not a full time programme, but there will be moments when your engagement may be required over full days. It may also involve international travel, although this is not a requirement.
Where does it take place?
The programme will be delivered in a hybrid format (online & in-person)
In-person days will take place both in Dublin and in other parts of the island depending on participants locations.
How much do participants get paid?
This programme is a professional development opportunity, but there is a payment of €10,000 which covers approximately 40-50 contact days + personal development time. This will be spread across the programme and will include full days, half days or short workshops. Additional travel, accommodation and any expenses (including access expenses), will be agreed with each participant in advance of the programme starting.
How do I apply?
The deadline for applications to the Creative Producer Programme has now passed.
Applicants applied by sending us the following: their CV, A short statement (approximately 500 words) outlining their interest, experience and motivations for applying, and filed out an access rider form – by 1pm on Monday August 18th 2025.
What happened after applications were sent in?
- Applicants received an email to confirm that we have received their application.
- The selection panel for the Disrupt Accessible Production Programme (2025-2027) met to select the participants. (including an external artist and representatives from Project Arts Centre and the Disrupt team).
- Interviews took place on Friday 22nd August.
- Applicants were notified about our decision on Monday 25th August.
We process applicants personal data in line with GDPR regulations. You can read our GDPR policy for more information, an Easy Read Version of our GDPR Policy is also available.
