Artist Development
Nurturing the practice and work of disabled creatives and leaders.
CRIPtic Arts is incredibly excited to announce the re-launch of our disabled-led artist development programmes for 2026.
Nurturing the practice and work of disabled creatives is integral to us. When we talk about disabled people, we mean“people who face disableist [including audist] barriers”, or “people who identify themselves as deaf or disabled – or are identified by others as deaf or disabled in society”. To find out more about what we mean by this, please see our FAQs.
In 2026, we’re once again running four artist development projects designed for emerging writers, fresh theatre makers, experienced creatives, and cultural leaders: Reach, Launchpad, Breakthrough and Incubate.
Our artistic vision for 2026 is to support disabled people to tell big stories, instead of just being asked to serve our trauma up to non-disabled audiences. We are excited by work that makes space for disabled people to go beyond just telling stories about our lives, diagnoses and struggles, and into the broad, the divergent, the fictional, the historical, the political, and the fantastical – work that deals with big themes, and big questions – whether or not it mentions disability at all.
Applications are open from now until Friday 13 March at 5pm. We can’t wait to connect, read your applications and find our 2026 cohort!
A guide to our friendly application process can be found here.
FAQs for all programmes can be found here.
Interested but not sure if these programmes are for you?
Artistic Director Jamie Hale held an online Q&A on Tuesday 24 February. Unfortunately, due to technical issues, we don’t have a complete live recording of the event but Jamie talks through the programmes and what we’re looking for in the video below.
You can also view the slides from the Q&A here:
If you have questions regarding applying or how the programmes work, you can always email artists@cripticarts.org.
Breakthrough
A commission for a UK creative or company who is ready to break into the mainstream.
Incubate
Facilitating emerging disabled arts leaders to build their practice or launch their organisations.
Launchpad
A development and staging scheme for theatre makers/groups to develop a 20-minute piece to be showcased as part of The Acts.
Reach
Supporting emerging writers to develop their first full-length solo show with online workshops, peer-facilitated sessions, residentials and an industry sharing.
CP26 Development Programme FAQs
A Guide to Our Friendly Application Process
CRIPtic Development Programme Alumni
Reach: 2023-2025
Breakthrough: 2023-2025
Launchpad: 2023-2025
Incubate: 2023-2025
Supported by
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Collaborate with us
Collaboration is at the heart of innovative and exciting work. We are always looking for partners to create with. If you have an idea for a project, show, workshop or beyond, please get in touch.
Funding application support
We offer 1:1 support for disabled people applying for funding. If you are disabled artist and would like support with a funding application get in touch.
Events
Our Events Programme, Connect Through Creativity, is a regular programme of practical arts workshops, writers’ salons, 1:1 advice, and networking sessions for disabled creatives.
