PRESS RELEASE
Bounce Arts Festival comes to Cookstown
Cookstown will host an event in Bounce Arts Festival, Northern Ireland’s leading celebration of artistic diversity and inclusion which returns from October 6 to 8 with a packed programme of more than 30 events.
The Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre will host an Autumnal Wall Art Workshop led by artist Pamela Glasgow. Her workshops cater to various skill levels, ensuring everyone can participate and create something truly unique.
Run by the University of Atypical, the festival showcases the extraordinary talent and creativity of d/Deaf, Disabled and neurodiverse artists in the UK, Ireland and beyond with a focus on accessibility for all audiences.
Many of the performances and workshops are free or pay what you can, and encompass all aspects of the arts including theatre, dance, comedy, puppetry, visual arts and talks.
Damien Coyle, Chief Executive of University of Atypical, said: “The Bounce Festival has now evolved into one of the largest celebrations of artistic diversity and inclusivity in these islands. We are proud to be bringing it to new venues across Northern Ireland so that more people can enjoy the performances and ideas that these incredible artists have to offer.”
Events will be held not only in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry but also in Omagh, Strabane, Downpatrick, Enniskillen and Cookstown.
The University of Atypical, a disabled-led arts charity, is celebrating its 30th year of supporting and developing the talent of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse artists and reaching wider audiences through access and inclusion.
The organisation started the Bounce Arts Festival in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad and this year it is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, The Ireland Funds, The National Lottery Communities Fund and The Santander Foundation.
Patricia Lavery, Head of Community Arts & Education, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “We are committed to supporting the work of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists. The Bounce Arts Festival offers an important platform to shine a light on work from these amazing artists. Congratulations to University of Atypical for curating a terrific programme for Bounce this year, which features some of the most talented artists from Northern Ireland and beyond. I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy this exciting and inspirational festival which is simply unmissable.”
For more information on all shows and to book tickets, go to www.universityofatypical.org/bounce
Photo:
Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre is one of the venues that will be hosting an event for the Bounce Arts Festival. Pictured at the centre are Christine McGowan and artist Pamela Glasgow with Jonathan Mitchell, Access and Inclusion Coordinator at UofA and Federica Ferrieri, Bounce Coordinator