Background on Access BEAF

Access BEAF is a strand of our work at BEAF Arts that aims to support artists who may have experienced barriers in accessing and working in the art world, made possible with funding from Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Access BEAF started by working with global majority creatives in the area through a pilot artist residents programme launched in 2024. Since the pilot ended, we have continued the support and have now engaged a coordinator, Sharon James, who was one of the first resident artists to continue to develop the programme and activities. More details about the project and supporting Global Majority artists can be found here.

Access BEAF – Supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled artists

At the beginning of 2025, 10 artists; Amy, Carrie, Claire, Emma, Lance, Mayre, Mel, Natasha, Stuart and Vir were selected from an open call to join Access BEAF supporting neurodivergent and disabled artists. The Access group was formed for neurodivergent and disabled artists to come together, reflect on current practices, their work, and foster peer-learning. They are being supported by BEAF and associate artists Sonia Boué and Sharon James throughout the programme with on-going mentoring, access and artist development support.

During 2025, the group came together for a two day residency at spudWORKS with Sonia and Sharon and to hear from other artists and advocates in the field including; Christopher Samuel, Lauren Marina and Sarah Jane Hender. They have received further support through skills development workshops and talks from; Leah Clements, Lady Kitt and Daniel Regan thorughout the programme so far.