Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists

We Are Invisible, We Are Visible Talk

As part of UK Disability History Month, the University of Wolverhampton presented a talk with Mike Layward, Artistic Director of DASH.

In this talk Mike discusses the last 50 years of Disability Activism and Disability Art looking at:

  • The history of disability rights
  • Looking at the different models of disability
  • What is Disability Art
  • Briefly looking at some of the disabled artists
  • Neurodivergence
  • How's it looking now

Mike Layward has worked in the arts for nearly 40 years, as a performer, musician, carnival designer, maker, puppeteer, producer, director and live artist.Since 1999 Mike has been Artistic Director of DASH (Disability Arts in Shropshire) and has been instrumental in DASH gaining a National reputation as a Disability Visual arts organisation.

Mike’s philosophy is based on the belief that the arts can be a vehicle for Social change.Mike has an MA in Activism and Social Change (Leeds University) 2009.