Disability Studies

An exciting panel on new arts that emerged from disability and Deaf cultures. Disability and Deaf art and culture movements reflect (whether in content or form) disability/Deaf experiences in new and unexpected ways. While not all artists who have impairments identify with this movement, those who do have reported that the opportunity to learn from one another and to explore art making from their unique bodies, minds, and senses has released them from trying to “pass” as nondisabled and to consider themselves as part of a larger, supportive disability community.  Instead of making art “in spite of disability,” artists who identify with the disability/Deaf art and culture movement consider their differences sources of generative creativity. They explore what being disabled or Deaf means and can mean for those on the inside and those on the outside of the experience. Artists that work across various media will share how they would define “disability art and culture” and “Deaf art and culture” as well as the benefits and potential pitfalls of identifying with these movements. Panelists will express a range of opinions, share examples of their work, and interact with the audience.