This New Ground

Portsmouth’s Inclusive Arts Committee

April - July 2023

Over the course of a 12 week leadership development programme This New Ground facilitators worked alongside 13 learning disabled ambassadors from Portsmouth to create the city's first ever inclusive arts committee. Together, the committee members developed models of leadership and workshopped ideas for how they can play a role in shaping an inclusive cultural landscape in the city, accessible to all.

The committee shared their learnings with local arts organisations, including Portsmouth Creates, Victorious Festival, Aspex Gallery, Crying Out Loud and Portsmouth City Council with the aim to promote the inclusion of learning disabled people in their creative leadership, decision-making & strategic governance. We will continue to develop these new partnerships as part of our commitment to long-lasting change in the city.

Below are videos and animations created by the committee sharing some of their research. The research questions explored throughout the programme are inspired by the lives and perspectives of people in the committee and aim to challenge how people think and feel about learning disability.