For many years, the I Am Festival took place at the Tate Exchange space in Tate Modern. However, the coronavirus pandemic meant we had to move the festival online. While this presented a whole new set of challenges around accessibility in digital spaces, many new opportunities also emerged, and we were able to explore how digital technology can be used to engage even more Deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse young people in creative projects.
The 2022 festival took a hybrid approach, with activities taking place in schools, at our office and online. Our schools were lucky enough to have workshops with companies such as Graeae Theatre Company, Corali Dance and Digit Music. This blended delivery model has allowed us to engage many young people who may not have otherwise been able to take part in the physical event.
Each festival has a theme. The theme in 2022 was theme was Unity, in 2023 the theme was Activism and our theme for 2024 is See Me, Hear Me!
In 2023 the festival took place over a month, with activity predominantly happening locally in schools and led by the amazing teachers in our I Am Network. A New Direction have funded 5 projects in schools and hosted 4 events during the month:
- An I Am Network meeting at the Roundhouse
- A virtual dance celebration led by icandance
- An in-person teacher CPD exploring choice and voice
- An online panel discussion for the cultural sector exploring the question: How can we make activism more accessible for Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people?
This year we've returned to a more traditional model, with the festival taking place predominantly in person between 11-15 March 2024. Over the week we will be hosting events for young people, teachers and students exploring, again, the theme of activism. This festival will be developed with our I Am Network and Cultural Ambassadors.
If you’d like to find out more about I Am Festival, please get in contact with Beth: beth.robertson@anewdirection.org.uk
