I am delighted to finally share that my Developing Your Creative Practice project ‘Mindful, Accessible and Inclusive’ was successful! A massive thank you to Arts Council England for receiving and supporting my application.
I started writing this bid in 2021, off the back of the pandemic when I was launching full force into delivering, creating and performing. Somehow I was doing it, but I was also feeling like I was ill-equipped to create and hold space for all the people I was meeting.
Four years later, I found the need for learning was still relevant and in a bid to put some energy back into myself, I told others my intentions, had them hold me accountable and just did it. I submitted a gently improved bid, that crucially involved time to research my own mindfulness practice to safeguard myself whilst holding others. In a way, an extension of the research I started in 2021 when I received a micro-commission from IVE to research who to embed mindfulness into my teaching practice with children and young people.
Over the next year I’ll be:
🌱doing BSL/Makaton training
🌱doing Audio describing & digital work accessible training for visually impaired
🌱receiving mentorship from Lucy Bishop & size inclusive training for those with mobility considerations/larger bodies
🌱shadowing Mind the Gap’s Karen Bartholomew with her learning disability work
🌱receiving mentorship from FRONTLINEdance’s Rachael Lines on making shows accessible.
🌱undertaking sensory play workshops for early years & neurodivergence
🌱time to research and explore my own mindfulness practice
🌱a little bit of money to buy equipment to support my practice
Big thank you to Tracy Witney for the generous letter of support.
I’ll be endeavouring to update my website with more information on my activities and what I’m up to as I go along.
Photo credit: Tim Dunk
ID: Charlotte, a white female with long dark hair and a fringe is wearing a short gingham dress and white blouse and is mid turn. The image is soft and a little blurry and is zoomed in so most of Charlotte’s body can be seen. Bottom right is the text “MINDFUL, INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE” and the Arts Council England logo.
Charlotte Arnold 