Crip News v.86
Juneteenth, I wanna be with you everywhere, new works, calls, events. Thanks for being here.
Happy Juneteenth
Today is the 158th anniversary of the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. It’s also the 2nd anniversary of the day as a U.S. federal holiday. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, but its enforcement relied on Union troops that would not reach the most remote parts of the former confederacy until over two years later.
Last year, Tony Alexander, Policy Manager for the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) published a reflection on the disability histories that have been left out of the history of this holiday, citing the work of Jim Downs on the experience of disabled slaves during Emancipation. Wishing y’all time to read and reflect with the time for rest today.
NEWS
I wanna be with you everywhere
The first iteration of this “gathering of, by, and for disabled artists” was in April 2019. It left such an indelible mark on me and my belief in access magic that, when Emily Watlington asked me to contribute a milestone in a timeline of disability culture for Art in America last year, this is what flew to the fore of my mind:
I remember a menu of seating options, including cube-shaped beds, rolling office chairs, and floor cushions. I remember the low-stimulus environment with dim lighting and stim toys. I remember a table where you could get your transit fare reimbursed in cash on the spot. I remember releasing the little reserve of energy I usually protect in case I encounter an access crisis. Here, I dissolved into that ineffable calm brought about through what organizer Mia Mingus calls “access intimacy”—the feeling that crops up when you can trust others to have your access needs in mind. Disabled artistry including NEVE’s Lover of Low Creatures and Kayla Hamilton’s Nearly Sighted/unearthing the dark was surrounded by access abundance. The event was a temporary portal to relief from the unrelenting ableism of everyday life that we cannot escape alone.
This week, I wanna be with you everywhere returns. “Our purpose,” the organizers write, “is specifically social and our only goal is getting together, conjuring, celebrating, resting, and reveling in our means beyond ends.” The day will feature work by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, JJJJJerome Ellis, Amelia Bande, Cyrée Jarelle Johnson, Panteha Abareshi, Yo-Yo Lin 林友友, and more.
New Works
A character loosely based on disabled icon Alice Wong is in season 2 of Human Resources on Netflix.
For the San Francisco Bay Times, India Harville writes about “Falling in Love With Ourselves: A Disabled Queer Black Woman’s Reflections on Disability Justice.”
For Vice, Sweta Mantrii reports on “What Pride Month Means To Queer Indians With Disabilities.”
In Forbes, Keely Cat-Wells writes about the urgency of accessible education for disabled creatives.
Basel’s Liste Art Fair relocated from an inaccessible venue after concerns from dealers.
The program for the 2023 Leadership Exchange in Art & Disability Conference (August 27 - 31 in-person in Boston) is out now.
CALLS
Cinevolution’s Media Art Micro Grants offer five $1250 grants to “racialized artists and arts workers in British Columbia who have lived experience of disability, or are Dead or Hard of Hearing, neurodivergent, and/or Mad.” Apply by July 14. More here.
New Disabled South is hiring a Director of Development. More here.
Sara Jama, Canadian member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Hamilton Centre, is hiring an Executive Assistant. More here.
EVENTS
OPEN CALL with Adam Cahon: A 2023 access reflection
Friday, June 23, 3 - 4:30pm ET, on Zoom
Brainstorming, sharing, and collective processing on the success and failures of accessibility in arts and culture today. The first few years of the pandemic there were many ways to get an abundance of arts and culture from your couch. Now that many societies are reopening we have of course unfortunately lost many of these opportunities. Let's discuss and hold space for what is working for you and what is not in the arts and culture shepres you intersect with. We want to talk about what is working, what is not, what do you need more of, and what could be advocated for and discussed further.
SAD Zine & Craft Fair
Through June 24th
The Sick And Disabled Zine & Craft Fair (SAD Fair) is a grassroots week-long virtual craft fair centering disabled, chronically ill, MAD, and neurodivergent zinesters and artists from around the world. Now in its fourth year, this access-centered craft fair will feature free live events, workshops, virtual "tables", and a virtual sensory room. This event is open to ALL!
CripCab: BrainStorm
Wednesday, June 21, 8pm ET, in-person and online
Introducing CripCab, a new variety show celebrating queer and disabled performers as part of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s 2023 Queer Pride Festival! Join us in-person at Buddies or online via livestream at thedisabilitycollective.com as we celebrate the intersectionality of queer and disabled identities!