Call out for The Social Model. . . & More Festival

If you're disabled, D/deaf, neurodivergent or learning disabled and an artist, theatremaker, or creative practitioner, Theatre Deli wants to hear from you! 

Theatre Deli is presenting The Social Model... & More Festival in 2023. Taking place in both Sheffield and London as well as online in hybrid formats, the festival will feature new performances, exhibitions, discussions and workshops. The festival line-up and its provocations will be based on what you tell us.

We will be listening to, and hearing, your responses as a key part of our festival planning. 

We are gathering responses together to show and share the diversity of your opinions and experiences, the joys of accessible spaces, art and opportunity; as well the sticking points, conflicting opinions and on-going challenges of the social model, and how we might collectively and individually address them.

We think the social model is necessary but not enough: What does ‘more’ look like to you?

Festival Curator Caroline Mawer asks:

“Maybe you remember the medical model of disability - with doctors ‘fixing’ us? Or not fixing us! Maybe you felt excited about the social model - it’s the world that needs fixing! Maybe, though, the world hasn’t got fixed like you need it!

What’s key for you? Access for audiences? Access to creative work for creatives? Access to life? Social attitudes? Or something else?

And what do you think the answer might be? What might help?

Medical model? Social model? Something more? Something different? Do we just need some little tweaks? Or a third way? A fourth way?”

Speak Out!

Whatever you think and however you feel, we’d love to hear from you. We will use your responses to help plan the direction of the festival, and demonstrate the range of experiences and opinions you have.

Please note, if you send a response, we may use it publicly for further callouts or as part of the festival exhibition and marketing. If you would prefer to not share your response publicly, please let us know when you submit. 

You can submit your response in any form that you feel best conveys your message:  

• Videos or voice recordings can be up to two minutes long.
• Written responses can be up to 300 words long.
• You could send up to five (5) images, illustrations or photographs.

You can email your responses to [email protected].

Please submit your response by Sunday 5th February 2023 at 5pm.

Interview with Caroline Mawer

Listen to curator Caroline Mawer speaking to Sile Sibanda about the Social Model...& More Festival call out on BBC Radio Sheffield on Thursday 26th January 2023.

Listen here. (Jump to 41.40 to hear the interview).

About Theatre Deli

Theatre Deli has been a driving force within the arts for over a decade, expanding opportunities for people to make and experience art. 

Theatre Deli acquires unused spaces and transforms them into creative communities, providing space, support and resources in order to develop and share art and performance.

In 2022, it moved into new London premises on Leadenhall Street, and took on a long-term Sheffield home on Arley Street, which will open for activity in January 2023.

About the Social Model of Disability

Click here to read SCOPE's definition of the Social Model of Disability (opens in new tab) 

Click here to view an easy read explanation of the Social Model of Disability (created by Shape Arts) (opens in new tab).

Click here to watch a short film explaining the Social Model of Disability (created by Shape Arts) (opens in new tab).