Attitude is Everything are excited to launch Next Stage, an innovative artist development project aiming change the conversation about ambitious artists with disabilities, impairments and health conditions, by championing talent and removing barriers to creativity and career progression.

They have launched a survey to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by artists with access requirements.

Fill in the Next Stage Artist Survey here.

“Hearing the experiences and voices of disabled artists will hugely diversify and enrich the music industry of tomorrow. Now is the time for the Paralympians of the arts to be given the platform they deserve.” – Blaine Harrison, Mystery Jets

Next Stage, funded by Arts Council England, has two key aims:

  • To overcome the knowledge gap around disabled musicians with a new survey, seeking to build a picture of issues like access to venues and recording studios, development opportunities, and attitudes across the industry.
  • To boost talent development, and develop a more accessible music industry by developing a comprehensive artist network, connecting artists with access requirements to showcase and funding opportunities.

The Next Stage Artist Survey is now open to musicians and artists who:

  • Produce original music and have ambitions to take their musical career to the next stage.
  • Either identify as a Deaf or disabled person, or have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life.

If this is you, find out more and fill in the survey here!

“There’s a lot of work to be done before disabled people are made to feel welcome in the industry. Some of that is about ramps and elevators, and some of that is about attitudes. The industry needs to appreciate that disabled musicians do exist for anything to change.” – Ruth Patterson, Holy Moly and the Crackers

Thanks to their launch partners Musician’s Union, Help Musicians UK, PRS Foundation, Featured Artists Coalition and UK Music for their support of this project.

By working alongside Deaf and disabled artists and amplifying their voices, they want to support the music industry to develop inclusive spaces for performing live, recording, networking and pursuing a musical career, whatever that might entail.

“Venues and festivals often do not seek out disabled artists for their regular programming, even if they are otherwise committed to diverse representation onstage. Attitude is Everything’s new initiative will help keep disabled artists in the public eye.” – Gaelynn Lea

For more information, contact Rich, their Artist Development Manager on rich@attitudeiseverything.org.uk or 020 7383 7979.