History
DaDaFest was founded as ''Arts Integrated Merseyside'' (or AIM) as a part of the Shape Arts network in 1984. AIM was integral to the early campaign for greater equality and access for disabled people, but was not disability led. With John McGrath as its Development Officer, the organisation became one of the UK's first disability control-led arts forums after it broke away from the Shape Network and set itself up as ''North West Disability Arts Forum'' (NWDAF) in 1986. It was formally constituted in 1990, with Mandy Colleran becoming its director. The organisation eventually re-branded itself to 'DaDa - Disability and Deaf Arts' in 2008 and again to 'DaDaFest' in 2012.Festival
DaDaFest delivered its first international festival in 2001 and continued to put on yearly festivals until 2010 when it became a biennial. The festival has since taken place in 2012 and 2014 (8 November 2014 – 11 January 2015). The next DaDaFest International festival will take place from 18 November to 3 December 2016. The organisation works with a number of partners to deliver the festival. These include:2016 Festival
DaDaFest International 2014 presented high quality and exciting work produced by artists close to their home in Liverpool as well as internationally that will challenge ideals and celebrate disability culture. An exciting programme of music, dance, live arts, comedy and much more was presented." Highlights included: *Amadou and Mariam - Amadou and Mariam, the Grammy Award nominated musical duo from Mali and DaDaFest International 2016 headliners, produce music that infuses traditional Malian sound with rock guitars and instruments from Cuba, Egypt, Syria and India in a combination that has been dubbed "Afro-blues". *The Viewing by Matin O'Brien, Sheree Rose and Rhiannon Aarons - The Viewing is the final of a trilogy of works which were originally conceived by Rose and Bob Flanagan to address his early death from cystic fibrosis. *DaDaFest International Congress – "All the world's a stage… But not if you can't get on it." - The two-day event explored how the arts are delivered from artists and practitioners from across the globe, and how the context within which we operate makes for exhilarating, diverse, disruptive and radical arts work. *Assisted Suicide: The Musical - Disabled activist, actor and comedian Liz Carr has chosen the spectacular world of musical theatre as the backdrop to explore the complex and controversial subject of assisted suicide in her new show. *Guide Gods - Using dance, live music, humour and interviews with religious leaders, academics and deaf and disabled people, acclaimed performer Claire Cunningham goes on a perilous quest to explore how the major world faiths view deafness and disability in this witty and illuminating show.2014 Festival
DaDaFest International 2014 presented a "breathtaking array of high quality disability and Deaf arts from around the world." Highlights included: *Art of the Lived Experiment - Curated by Aaron Williamson, this exhibition addressed the idea that life and art are in a state of continual change and uncertainty. *The Ugly Girl by Terry Galloway (US) - a no-holds barred play with a wildly comic twist on the stereotype of a queer, disabled, intellectual trouble-maker. *Backstage in Biscuit Land - the highly acclaimed show from Jess Thom. *Staff Benda Bilili - the super-band appeared at the Philharmonic Hall.2012 Festival
The 2012 festival brought together a large collection of exhibitions and performances. These included: *Niet Normaal - Difference on Display - This was an exhibition created by2010 Festival
In 2010, DaDaFest celebrated their tenth year. The 2010 programme explored the theme of Objects of Curiosity and Desire, investigating identity and our place in an ever-changing world. Highlights included: *A few Objects of Curiosity and Desire - a joint exhibition of the work of Tom Shakespeare, Tanya Raabe and Simon McKeown at The Bluecoat. This exhibition also featured work by Fourth Plinth artist and Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare. *Oska Bright - short films made by people with a learning disability were shown from the Oska Bright Film Festival (Brighton). *GIMP – the UK premiere of Heidi Latsky's performance.Projects & Initiatives
While the festival every two years may be the main attention of the organisation, DaDaFest also organises various projects and initiatives outside of the festival programme. Projects that DaDaFest has organised or is currently organising are: *DaDaFest Rookies - DaDaFest Rookies aims to increase employability within the creative sector for young disabled people through training, mentoring and placements within arts organisations. The project will see more disabled people involved in training, mentoring and placements within arts organisations. *Young DaDaFest - DaDaFest organises various projects that involve young people, these include: steering groups that allow young people to make decisions for other projects; short films and a separate youth festival. DaDaFest also enables young people to earn Arts Award accreditation. Since the start of the young people's program in 2002, DaDaFest has had 2000 people involved in youth projects. *Disability Equality Action Training - This is a scheme that addresses the issues faced by disabled and deaf people regarding access to everyday opportunities. Participants on the course are taught about these issues and gain an understanding of how to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, Human Rights and how to work without bias. The training promotes working to theNotable People Associated with DaDaFest
* Mandy Colleran – Former director *Ruth Gould - Gould was appointed as the Creative Director of the NWDAF in 2001, she is now the chief executive officer of DaDaFest. Whilst working for the NWDAF in 2001, she was asked to create something for ''International Disabled People's Day'' but she claimed that "one day was not enough" and set about producing a festival with the help of a steering group. The result of this was the first DaDaFest in December 2001 and the subsequent change of 'DaDaFest' as a one off festival into its own brand. *Jane Cordell - Cordell is the chair of the DaDaFest board. She runs a public speaking and equality consultancy social enterprise based onsupporting disabled people, she also had considerable experience as a diplomat. * Laurence Clark - Clark is a British stand-up comedian. He started his career with DaDaFest and continues to perform at the festival. * Amadou and Mariam - The Grammy award-nominated afro-funk duo headlined DaDaFest International 2016. * Dame Evelyn Glennie - Glennie is a Scottish percussionist. She performed at theAwards
*2005 - Merseyside Tourism Award for Best Small Event. *2008 - Shortlisted 'Best Event in 2008' (Mersey Tourism Awards) *2008 - 'Putting the North West on the map' (Art 08 Awards) *2012 - Lever Award - In 2012 DaDaFest won the coveted £10,000 Lever Prize established by the North West Business Leadership Team.References
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