The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has appointed a new panel to oversee the Mayor’s flagship Liberty Festival celebrating D/deaf and disabled artists and disabled-led arts.
Since 2019, Liberty has developed into a touring festival taking art to local communities and showcasing outdoor arts and performance works, and next year it will open at the centre of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture.
The Mayor has created a panel of experts, the Liberty Advisory Group, which will meet every two months with representatives from the Greater London Authority and London Borough of Lewisham. The panel will advise on best practice for D/deaf and disabled-led commissions, engagement and communication with D/deaf and disabled audiences and communities and offer general support and guidance on the future evolution of Liberty. Their wealth of experience and expertise will help Liberty to grow talent and increase opportunities for the D/deaf and disabled-led creative community.
Nine experts from a range of backgrounds will make up the panel. They are:
- Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson – Brent Council, Chair of Brent Council Disability Forum
- Graeae - Theatre Company supporting D/deaf and disabled artists since 1980
- Cllr Aisling Gallagher - Lewisham Council
- Julie Jaye Charles - Founder and Chief Executive of Equalities National Council of Disabled People and Carers from Black and Minority Ethnics Communities
- Simon Mckeown - Artist and Professor at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art School of Art and Design
- Paul Morrow - Lead Practitioner of the Creative Arts at Westminster Special Schools. Founder of The West London Inclusive Arts Festival and author of The Cultural Inclusion Manifesto
- Maria Oshodi - Artistic Director and CEO of Extant
- Eleanor Thoe Lisney - Founder and Co-Director of Sisters of Frida and Culture Access
- Lennie Varvarides - Writer, Director and Founder of DYSPLA
Earlier this year the Mayor also announced £70,000 of new investment to support artists and organisations working with D/deaf and disabled artists through Liberty Open Call.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “Liberty has showcased and supported talented creatives from our disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse community for years. It is a vital platform for great art and performance. As it continues to evolve, it’s crucial that diverse leadership is at the heart of the festival, and that’s why I’m pleased to bring together this inspiring new panel. Each member brings great experience, perspective and knowledge, which will help shape the future of the festival.”
Linda Rocco, Liberty Creative Producer, said: “The lived experience of D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists and creatives is a lesson in adaptability and resilience. I’m incredibly excited about the prospect of shared leadership for Liberty, and by the diversity of perspectives and skills that Liberty Advisory Group members will bring to the festival and beyond.”
Jenny Sealey MBE, Artistic Director and CEO of Graeae Theatre Company , said: "Liberty is a hugely important reminder and celebration of the talent of Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists, who have been particularly hard hit over this last year by the pandemic. The need to come together collectively to recognise and honour the creativity of these artists has never been more important. Graeae welcome the formation of the Liberty Advisory Group, and look forward to working with the other members to ensure that the 2022 festival is as prominent, celebratory and high profile as it deserves to be, while also ensuring a digital offering for those within our community still shielding.”
Notes to editors
Eight members of the group were openly recruited, one member was appointed by London Borough of Lewisham as Liberty 2022 will take place in Lewisham as part of London Borough of Culture. They will remain active members until the January 2024, and will meet once every two months.