Building Communities: Disability Arts Festivals in Canada

Abstract

Disability arts festivals showcase and celebrate the voices of a distinct and talented community of artists. Several such festivals have been held in Canada since 2001, and theatre has played a prominent role in each. Together, the festivals have built connections with, and contributed to, a growing international disability arts culture. The term “disability arts” is drawn from the work of several artists, artistic facilitators and leaders in the movement. They use it to describe and connect art work created by people who determine a strong link between disability experience and their art. Many are careful to explain that such work is not the mere by-product of art therapy. Rather, it is intentional artistic work. Disability arts festivals provide a forum for community building by allowing artists who work in different locations and operate in different artistic media to connect their works around the concept of disability. Although the range of ways in which artists interpret, involve and experience disability and disability arts is vast, festivals create venues in which artists and audiences can express and connect their ideas. In short, they organize time and space in which communities can form and gather momentum.