Our Story
University of Atypical is a disabled-led arts charity, taking an empowerment based approach towards supporting disabled and deaf people’s involvement in the arts. The company specialises in developing and promoting the work of artists who are disabled and deaf and in reaching disabled and deaf audiences. Membership of the UofA is free to disabled/deaf individuals.
University of Atypical’s lead funder is the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and additional core funding is provided by Belfast City Council. The company attracts project support from a range of other funders and makes earned income from ticket sales. Donations from individuals and from businesses are very welcome - all donations go back into our work with disabled and deaf artists and audiences.
Working with all art forms and across all impairments, UofA delivers a year-round programme of exhibitions and events, including Bounce Arts Festival, which presents an exciting range of music, theatre, dance and visual arts by artists who are disabled /deaf, alongside family friendly activities. This year’s Bounce dates are 5-8 September.
Atypical Gallery shows work by disabled and deaf artists on a year-round basis. It is on the Ground Floor of Cathedral Quarter Workspaces, at the Belfast Telegraph end of Royal Avenue (opposite the Mace shop/Central Library).
University of Atypical manages the iDA grant scheme for disabled/deaf artists, with funds from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Our Arts & Disability Equality Charter supports venues to be as accessible as possible for disabled/deaf audiences and artists.
Membership is free to disabled /deaf people and others can join for a small fee. Being a member shows us - and our funders - that you value our work. For a membership form please contact info@universityofatypical.org.
You can sign up to our mailing list on our website www.universityofatypical.org.
