Pivot Fest

8 – 10 May 2026

Aspex Portsmouth

Pivot Fest was Portsmouth’s first learning disability-led arts festival, celebrating inclusive arts, creativity and community.

Hosted at Aspex Portsmouth and funded by Arts Council England, the three-day festival was curated and led by This New Ground artists.

The festival brought together artists, audiences and communities through performances, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, live music and sensory-friendly events designed to create welcoming and accessible creative spaces for everyone.

Featured artists and collaborators included Heart n Soul, Robyn's Rocket, Andrew Self, Disco Neurotico, Head Over Wheels, Carousel and Oska Bright Film Festival.

Across the weekend:

• Over 400 people attended events and activities

• 10 workshops, performances and creative events took place

• 42 people participated in creative workshops

• Around 35 artists and performers shared their work

• 15 volunteers supported the festival

Pivot Fest celebrated the creativity, leadership and voices of artists with a learning disability while continuing to challenge barriers to arts participation within Portsmouth.