The Liverpool Neurodiversity Arts Festival
A festival of beautiful thinking
The Neurodiversity Arts Festival 2024 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent talent, diverse perspectives and creative expression, dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity and providing a platform for neurodivergent artists.
Hosted by The Brain Charity and running from 20th – 29th September 2024, the festival will transform Liverpool into a celebration of creativity.
We know 15-20% of the population identify as neurodivergent. The Neurodiversity Arts Festival will shed light on the diverse experiences and talents within this community, which includes neurominority identities such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia.
Partnering with renowned institutions such as Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Bluecoat, the Neurodiversity Arts Festival 2024 aims to celebrate and educate, create lasting change by improving accessibility for neurodivergent people, and promote understanding and acceptance.
Join us as we bring together artists, performers, and audiences to inspire, engage, and enjoy. We can’t wait to see you all at NDAF 2024. Book your tickets below and let the festivities begin!
Bliss Comedy Night at The Brain Charity
Bliss Comedy in conjunction with the Brain Charity presents an evening of uplifting hilarious comedy with 5 brilliant neurodiverse comedians in a safe and inclusive setting.
Line up includes:
- Jacky Boy
- Jude Jones
- Leah Stone
- Cosmic Kat
- Headlined by Tasha Mott
- MC’d by Mary Cross
Accessibility:
- Accessible entrance
- Accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs are welcome
- Blue Badge parking
- BSL interpreted
- Changing Places facility
Tickets: £6
Date: Saturday 21 September
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Venue: The Brain Charity, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8LR
Young Blue Room at the Bluecoat
Artists from Young Blue Room invite you to discover artwork hidden in the Bluecoat’s secret garden. Inspired by stories from the building’s 300 year history the artists have created a trail of windows through time. Inside, an exhibition uncovers some of the hidden stories of the arts centre.
This event is aimed at families with children, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Free, just turn up.
Accessibility:
- Lift access
- Access by ramps, slopes and/or manual doors
- Accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs are welcome
Date: Tuesday 24 to Sunday 29 September
Time: 11am to 5pm
Venue: The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX
Neurodiversity in the arts career day at the Walker Art Gallery
The Neurodiversity Arts Festival highlights the rich neurodivergent talent in the creative sector, yet open discussions about their unique challenges and opportunities are rare. Partnering with the Walker Art Gallery, we are thrilled to announce a special career day to address this.
Visitors will hear directly from neurodivergent professionals about their career journeys, engage in Q&A sessions, and will be able to take part in tasks and workshops to support participants with identifying their own strengths, and signposting them to useful resources.
This free event is for neurodivergent individuals (diagnosed or self-identifying) including students, young professionals, and career changers interested in creative careers.
The event runs from 10:30am to 4pm, but attendees are welcome to drop in later.
Tickets: Free, but must be booked in advance.
Date: Wednesday 25th September
Time: 10:30am to 4pm
Venue: Walker Art Gallery, William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EL
‘Meet the Artist’ at Tate Liverpool
Join Tate Liverpool for a panel discussion exploring neurodiversity and its relationship to contemporary art practice. Artists Becky Beasley, Sonia Boué and Pierce Starre will be in conversation with Claire Penketh, Professor of Disability Studies and Art Education at Hope University.
The talk will explore how we can rethink contemporary arts practice in relation to neurodiversity and how the neurodiversity paradigm can inform art and its education.
Accessibility:
- Access by ramps
- Accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs are welcome
Tickets: £5
Date: Wednesday 25th September
Time: 6:30pm to 8pm
Venue: Tate at RIBA North, 21 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP
‘Wonder Boy’ at Liverpool Playhouse
Olivier Award-winner Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls) directs the critically acclaimed Bristol Old Vic production of WONDER BOY by Ross Willis, a heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication.
Sonny is twelve. Living with a stammer, he’s finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk.
Sonny’s only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation, but in the real-world language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks.
Packed with playful humour, dazzling visuals and thrilling original music this innovative production includes live creative captioning on stage throughout.
Winner of the 2023 Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play.
For more information on booking in your school group, please contact the Box Office on 0151 709 4776 or email boxoffice@everymanplayhouse.com
Post Show Q&A on Wed 25 Sept plus additional events TBC.
Tickets: £11 to £36
Date: 25 to 28 September
Time: 1.30pm or 7.30pm
Venue: Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square, Liverpool L1 1EL
‘An evening with Ruby Colley’ at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room
Composer and violinist Ruby Colley discusses her brand-new work Hello Halo – a composition which will premiere at Liverpool Philharmonic on February 3rd 2025 next year – with writer Kirsteen McNish.
Hello Halo, a collaboration with vocal ensemble Exaudi, is based on Ruby’s non-verbal brother Paul’s alternative forms of communication.
Ruby and Kirsteen will reflect on how the outside world connects with those who communicate in different ways to the mainstream.
Following this, Ruby will perform previous compositions inspired by natural environments.
Tickets: £6
Date: Thursday 26 September
Time: 8pm
Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room, Sugnall St, Liverpool L1 9BP
‘The Monster Disco’ at The Unity Theatre
Come and embrace your inner monster at the MONSTER DISCO! Don’t be afraid, these monsters aren’t scary, they’re just misunderstood and want to party!
Join in, have a dance and a boogie, or just chill and enjoy the vibes, the Monster Disco is for everyone!
The Monster Disco is a 45 minute interactive puppet performance by Headstrung Puppets. Music, dance and puppetry are brought together with accessibility and inclusivity to create a joyous and uplifting family experience.
Tickets: £6
Date: Saturday 28 September
Time: 12pm and 3pm
Venue: The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG
‘The Boy King’ at the World Museum
‘I’m Jordan. I’m 28. I’m autistic, and I love history. I’m a
tour guide at the museum…but I’m not supposed to be in
here…’
On his lunch break, Jordan can’t help sneaking
into the museum store room to explore…but it’s
not long before he’s carried away on an ancient
expedition of immersive storytelling and
imagination.
An autobiographical, vibrant and educational one
man show celebrating 100 years since the
discovery of Tutenkhamun’s Tomb.
Get to know The Boy King, the team who
excavated his tomb and Jordan – A boy whose
love of history transformed his life growing up
with Autism.
Tickets available soon.
Outside In with Willful Misfits at The Black-E
As the independent offering in the wider NDAF (Neurodiversity Arts Festival) in the city, Willful Misfits are showcasing local groups, local talents & local artists.
A reimagined event where neurodiverse people, who are often disenabled from participating in mainstream spaces, can explore & celebrate their creativity & talents, whilst other people can gain valuable insights & understanding about neurodiversity.
The event will provide a variety of creative workshops, performances and discussions. Access to all daytime events will be free for all the family. There will also be an arts & crafts stall to peruse. The evening cabaret will potentially demand participation!
Accessibility:
- The building is fully accessible
- Sensory spaces available
Free, just turn up.
Date: Saturday 28 September
Time: From lunch until late
Venue: The Black-E, Great George St, Liverpool L1
An evening of comedy from ‘Disabilarity’ at the Brain Charity
Join us for an unforgettable evening of comedy and laughter with Disabilarity!
Experience top-notch entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere as talented comedians take the stage to deliver side-splitting performances.
Get your tickets now for a night you won’t forget!
Accessibility:
- Accessible entrance
- Accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs are welcome
- Blue Badge parking
- Changing Places facility
Tickets: £6
Date: Saturday 28 September
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Venue: The Brain Charity, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8LR
A LUSH Liverpool Takeover with Blue Room, inclusive arts at the Bluecoat & friends
Join artists from Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project along with self advocates and allies from Mencap Liverpool & Sefton, Autism Initiatives, Natural Breaks and Options for Supported Living as they takeover the Lush Liverpool store in a celebration of the power of creativity.
Suitable for all ages, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility:
- Lift access
- Accessible toilets
Free, just turn up.
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare North Playhouse & Graeae, in association with Theatre by the Lake
Against all odds, a young couple fall in love. You think you know how this story goes, and who this couple is? Maybe you do… Maybe you don’t…
This beautiful retelling of Shakespeare’s eternal love story seamlessly weaves BSL, Captions and Audio Description into the storytelling. Each show is performed in a relaxed environment and by an incredible ensemble of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent actors.
Tickets from £15
Date: Friday 13 September – Saturday 5 October
Time: 7pm
Art Exhibition at the Brain Charity
There will be an exhibition of Fine Art at the Brain Charity throughout the festival, showcasing the talent of local and national neurodivergent artists.
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