After an incredible first edition last year, the Disrupt Disability Arts Festival is set to return in 2025 with a programme packed full of amazing exhibitions, performances and workshops. Taking place at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin and online, the festival is a celebration of disability art curated by and for the disability community.
First launched in 2024, the Disrupt Festival is back for its second edition from March 6 to 8. Launching the full programme, organisers announced an incredible lineup of events delivered through a range of accessible formats.
To find out what this year’s festival has in store, check the list of events below.
Unusual Gestures by Lorraine Tuck and Owen/Pink O’Malley
February 20 – March 10
As uncle and niece, Owen/Pink O’Malley and Lorraine Tuck have made their art-making process full of fun, laughter and love. The work they’re bringing to Disrupt, showcased on a billboard at the Project Arts Centre, has its roots in Unusual Gesture, a portraiture body of work that was recently made part of the National Photography Collection at Photo Museum Ireland.
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Disruption – Opening Event on Disability and Intersectionality
March 6, 7:30pm
Featuring performances by Alessandra Azeviche, Day Magee, Maryam Madani and Owen/Pink O’Malley, the launch event of the 2025 festival will explore the intersection of protected characteristics including race, gender, age, sexuality, and disability. Following a powerful performance, the artists will delve into these topics in a panel discussion.
SQUISHY! by Ríon Duffy Murphy
March 6 – 8
Created by Ríon Duffy Murphy, a socially engaged visual artist exploring connection and intimacy through a trans, neurodivergent lens, SQUISHY! is an exhibition that will take place online and at Project Art Centre for the duration of the festival. The artist’s work is “bright and playful, with the intent of creating a delicious visual sensory experience, infused with neurodivergent pleasure and joy”.
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Empowering Creativity: The Role of Assistive Technology in Art
March 7, 2pm
Chaired by the CEO of Tilting the Lens Sinéad Burke, this dynamic industry event will explore how assistive technology (AT) can unlock artistic potential, promote collaboration across sectors, and improve access to the arts for artists and audiences with a lived experience of disability. The event is brought by FreedomTech’s CHAT, a multistakeholder community fostering access to AT for all who need it.
Toilet Paper Diaries by Porcelain Delaney and Sue Rainsford
March 7, at 7.30 pm
Performed by Porcelain Delaney, this tale will resonate with anyone who has to deal with endometriosis or another condition that has led to medical gaslighting. It follows Eloise, a promising ballerina whose dreams get derailed by the onset of her period, as she’s thrust into a battle with dismissive doctors. The performance will be followed by an in-conversation discussion with writer and researcher Sue Rainsford. A touch tour will take place 30 minutes prior to the event.
Embedding Access: Workshop for Disability Inclusion
March 8, 12pm
Starting with a talk on Methodology for Disability Inclusive Practice, this practical workshop offered by Al Bellamy will invite participants to explore creative ways to implement access from the very beginning of a theatre project.
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Meet the Artist and Exhibition: Jason Grace with Connections Arts Centre
March 8
Supported by Connections Arts Centre, the exhibition will showcase works from Niamh Eldridge Barry, Jason Grace, Thomas Higgins, Jennifer Humphries, David Singleton, Jenny Stafford, and Clement Yang. In an interactive session, artist Jason Grace will share insights into his creative processes and invite participants to get involved by exploring art-making materials and creating their own samples.
Dis-Cover: The Power of Expression with Emilie Conway and Lianne Quigley
March 8, 7:30pm
As part of its Dis-Cover programme, the Disrupt Festival will present A Softer Kiss by Lianne Quigley, a new theatre work that examines the experiences of deaf women in Ireland. The performance will be followed by music by award-winning vocal jazz artist composer and lyricist Emilie Conway. An in-conversation will take place following the main event. A touch tour will take place 30 minutes prior to the event.
Sign the Night Away: Closing Party with Sarah-Jane O’Regan
March 9, 9:15pm
Known for her lively and engaging ISL performances, Sarah-Jane O’Regan will be hosting the closing night of this year’s Disrupt Disability Art Festival. Participants are invited to join the party and sign to their favourite tunes on the dancefloor in an energetic celebration at the Project Arts Centre.
To find out more about the festival’s programme, visit their website.
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