Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists
DASH secures Cultural Bridge Funding
DASH have been announced as recipients of Cultural Bridge Funding, which will allow us to work internationally as an organisation for the first time. Members of the DASH team will travel to Germany to work in partnership with Berlinklusion, a network for accessibility in art and culture led by Kate Brehme, Dirk Sorge, Jovana Komnenic and Kirstin Broussard, a mix of disabled and non-disabled artists and arts mediators.
From 130 applications, we were one of 20 successful bids. The project will enable us to share expertise and skills, exchange ideas and collaborate on artistic practices and projects that explore themes and issues faced by communities across both countries.
"We are thrilled to have been awarded Tier 1 Cultural Bridge funding for DASH and Berlinklusion’s collaborative, socially engaged project, 'The Quiet Room: Berlin'. Led by Artist and DASH CEO/Artistic Director, Heather Peak, ‘The Quiet Room: Berlin’ will be the gathering and organisation of a meal for the partners and those within the Berlin Disabled, neurodivergent, and D/deaf visual arts community. Rooted in Disability Justice, DASH & Berlinklusion will co-curate a safe space for connection, joy, and critical thinking around present concerns. These include intersectional access barriers, rest practices, creative leadership, and Disabled and neurodivergent art and aesthetics.
At a time when the marginalised communities we are part of and work with are facing numerous challenges - from economic hardship to alarming political shifts to the right, and the local repercussions of global conflict - it is hugely important to come together. International collaboration and friendship are central to our survival and resilience. We are delighted to have the opportunity to do this vital work."
Rachel Fleming-Mulford, Interim Co-Artistic Director, DASH
“We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded Tier 1 Cultural Bridge funding for our collaboration with DASH here in Berlin. The disability arts community in Berlin faces new challenges with recent austerity measures across the arts that disproportionately affect disabled and other marginalized arts workers and audiences. It is therefore extremely heartening and encouraging to receive support at this time to work with an international partner such as DASH, who share our vision of a more accessible, democratic and just arts future. We very much look forward to the exchange of knowledge around access and celebration of disability culture that our project The Quiet Room will bring, and anticipate with much joy the spark of new ideas, collaborations and initiatives that will surely follow.”
Kate Brehme, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Berlinklusion
This project is funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
“At the British Council, we believe in the power of the arts to foster meaningful connections and create lasting social impact. Through Cultural Bridge, we are proud to support partnerships that bring together artists and communities across the UK and Germany to address shared social challenges through creative collaboration. The projects funded this year reflect the diversity and richness of social arts practice, demonstrating how culture can inspire dialogue, inclusion, and innovation in both countries." Helga Stellmacher, Director British Council Germany
"We are delighted that the Cultural Bridge programme is thriving, fostering meaningful exchange and growth between organisations in the UK and Germany, all rooted in cultural reciprocity. This year's cohort highlights the transformative power of socially engaged practice to enhance lives, and we look forward to seeing the funded projects develop over the coming year. It is also wonderful to see the alumni group growing, with former participants continuing to support and engage with each other. We eagerly anticipate future discussions and events around the emerging themes of the programme." Andrea Pfeil, Interim Director, Goethe-Institut London
"We are delighted to continue our co-investment in Cultural Bridge for a fourth year. The programme has been enormously successful so far, fostering an exciting mix of both new and existing partnerships covering a wide range of community-led creative and cultural projects. We look forward to seeing the benefits that building these vital cross-border connections and sharing of ideas will bring to organisations involved in the programme both here and in Germany.” Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive Arts & Museums, Arts Council England
“While polarization is a huge challenge in many countries and even worldwide, Cultural Bridge is building an artistic space for dialogue - between very different people and every day life. Fonds Soziokultur is grateful that the collaboration of the seven stakeholders in the UK and Germany is absolutely encouraging, full of respect and productive. The new round of funding with over 130 applications and 20 funded partnerships is mirroring this passion for culture as a bridge to meet each other in a visionary and empowering way. For us it is a rare role model for how funders can build a ground for international understanding that really meets the needs of cultural practitioners and local communities. The programme is developing with every new round. The funded projects show a wide range of arts, communities involved and artistic approaches. They all deal with the question of how we can build a positive, empathetic and respectful society - from Northern Ireland to South of Germany. This cannot be valued enough!" Mechthild Eickhoff, Executive Manager at Fonds Soziokultur