A trailblazing creative arts festival is coming to York this month, featuring dance, music, and film in a fresh exploration of identity and representation.
The I’m Me Festival at York St John University is a free performing arts showcase and creative exploration, marking the culmination of a two-year inclusive arts project.
Tickets are now available, offering audiences the chance to experience art without barriers.
Led by the university’s Institute for Social Justice and in association with Mind the Gap, researchers partnered with six leading inclusive arts companies to explore experiences of identity, representation, and voice.
The I’m Me Festival takes place on Thursday 19 June and Friday 20 June in the York St John Creative Centre, York. Tickets are free, and the event is open to all.
People with learning disabilities and/or autism have played central roles in the I’m Me project as researchers, artists, producers, writers, musicians, and performers.
The project uses the creative arts to explore and share lived experiences in an accessible and impactful way.
Now, for the first time, stories from this work will be presented across theatre, dance, music performances, artworks, and film.
The festival sees learning disabled and autistic artists taking centre stage – showcasing their stories, perspectives, and talents. The event not only celebrates creativity but also challenges perceptions around disability.
Seven arts companies from across the UK have come together to present an inspiring programme, including:
- Safe as Houses from West Midlands-based Open Theatre explores places of safety via physical theatre.
- HELD by Bradford-based Mind the Gap is a physical theatre performance which explores different ways in which we can be held, both positively and negatively.
- Me First by Edinburgh-based Lung Ha looks at the theme of voice, how to use it, and the barriers that someone might face when trying to make their voice heard.
- There will be music performances from Sparkle Sisterz from Sheffield-based Under the Stars.
- Herefordshire-based About Face will exhibit artworks under the theme Small Worlds.
- Cardiff-based Hijinx will take over the Creative Centre atrium with their work Silent Glimpses, Loud Truths.
- The performance from Kent-based Confidance is called Give Me Space and uses dance to explore company members’ personal experiences of disability.
Professor Matthew Reason, director of the Institute for Social Justice at York St John University and Research Lead on I’m Me, said: “This festival is the culmination of over two years of research and creative exploration. Across this time there have been moments of humour, sadness, anger and inspiration, all of which will be present within the Festival.
“I’m Me is about telling and listening to stories and experiences that both recognise, and reach across, differences.”
Charli Ward, creative director at Mind the Gap, said: “Mind the Gap has been developing and nurturing a deep and rich partnership with York St John for the last 6 years and we are excited by the work that has been explored through the I’m Me project.
“Projects like these support Mind the Gap’s principal commitment in creating opportunities for the voices of people with learning disabilities and autism to lead the way in the arts sector.”
Find out more and reserve your free festival tickets via the York St John University website.