Mess Room Creates
A project of high quality, visual arts activities, adopting BSL, tactile & inclusive approaches to participatory arts practice
MESS ROOM Creates was a pilot participatory arts programme that involved adults with disabilities, including deaf, blind & learning disabled with all aspects of visual arts practice from concept planning, through to materials choices, design, creation, curation and exhibition. The project also supported the development of a new business development plan to enable growth, sustainability & build new capacity within the company.
The programme engaged Deaf & Disabled adults across Medway in 6 months of high quality, visual arts activities, adopting BSL, tactile & inclusive approaches to participatory arts practice.
It embraced a community led & person-centred approach and was co-produced & co-curated by participants & practitioners and supported showcase events at Rochester Cathedral & Historic Dockyard Chatham. The project worked with a wide range of community partners to enhance cross sector partnerships across Medway and offered professional development to local practitioners to support the ambition of MESS ROOM to extend its advocacy of inclusive arts.
The project was made possible by National Lottery Project Grants, with additional funding and support from Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent Association for the Blind, Rochester Cathedral and Medway Council.
“The volunteers inspire me. I thought I had no imagination until I came here. But they help me develop ideas, and I realise what I can achieve.”Pat, Mess Room Creates Participant
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
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“It's fantastic. Gives me something to do and I've met a really good bunch of people who share eye conditions like me.”John, Mess Room Creates Participant
“When you start you think, I hope it's going to be alright; you doubt yourself. It's so rewarding when you see your artwork exhibited.”Helen, Mess Room Creates Participant
