Since forming in May 2020, #WeShallNotBeRemoved has delivered several national awareness raising campaigns.
Campaign #1
The first campaign was an open letter to The Secretary of State of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, together with all devolved UK culture ministers, demanding safeguards to protect the future of disability arts in the UK as a consequence of COVID-19. Over 150 disabled artists and cultural leaders signed the letter.
The letter is currently hosted at Graeae Theatre’s website, where it is also available in BSL Interpretation, Easy Read and as an Audio Flyer.
You are warmly invited to add the support of your organisation or yourself to the open letter by emailing info@weshallnotberemoved.com or filling in the contact form below:
Campaign #2
The second campaign was a social media action day on Wednesday 17 June when disabled artists from across the UK celebrated the depth and diversity of inclusive & disability art on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtags #WeShallNotBeRemoved and #EndAbleism
The campaign was designed to raise awareness of the magnified inequalities for disabled people working in the creative industries caused by the pandemic, as many disabled artists face long term shielding, loss of income and invisibility in wider society.
Campaign #3
Over August this year, we invited our members to contribute to an open discourse throughout the month that focused on the notion of an ‘Inclusive Recovery’ for the arts and creative sector.
Click here to find out more about the campaign and to visit our Twitter Archive!
The Seven Principles
The Seven Inclusive Principles for Arts & Cultural Organisations working safely through COVID-19 is designed to complement the suite of guidance documents already issued by UK Governments and sector support organisations.
The Seven Principles are applicable across all art forms and across all 4 UK nations and come with endorsement from a wide range of leading sector bodies including: Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, The Arts Council of Wales, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Film Institute, The Museum Association, Theatres Trust, Royal Philharmonic Society and the British Council.The Seven Principles are applicable across all art forms and across all 4 UK nations and come with endorsement from a wide range of leading sector bodies including: Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, The Arts Council of Wales, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Film Institute, The Museum Association, Theatres Trust, Royal Philharmonic Society and the British Council.
Campaign #4
#WeShallNotBeRemoved have (29/03/2021) submitted their concerns to the government regarding the current discussion around the potential introduction of Covid-19 Certification Status or “vaccine passports”.
Read more about this here, where our full response will be posted in accessible formats soon: https://www.weshallnotberemoved.com/2021/03/29/weshallnotberemoved-statement-to-the-government-regarding-covid-19-vaccine-passports/
Media Coverage
Recovery: The Cultural Sector Must Be Fully Inclusive
– Arts Professional
Who will return after the interval?
– Arts Professional
The Other Side: Resetting the Dial on Inclusion
– Arts Professional
#WeShallNotBeRemoved: New National Disability Arts Initiative Launched
– a-n News
Plastic Waste in Lockdown, Dental Plans and Disability Arts
– You & Yours, BBC Radio 4
UK Disability Arts Alliance ‘We Shall Not Be Removed’ responds to the current crisis
– Disability Arts Online
Crippen supports the UK Disability Arts Alliance ‘We Shall Not Be Removed’ who are responding to the current crisis
– Disability Arts Online
Disability Arts: A Power of Disabled People
– Disability Issue
Coronavirus: Action celebrates disability arts while highlighting pandemic concerns
– Disability News Service
Round-up: Failing justice system, arts leaders speak out, and Scotland’s shielding caution
– Disability News Service
We Shall Not Be Removed: An Open Letter to UK Cultural Ministers
– Drake Music
View on the danger for the arts; action is needed now
– The Guardian
Disability campaigners warn of UK’s progress unravelling in the arts
– The Guardian
UK Disability Arts Alliance Vows #WeShallNotBeRemoved by Hasty COVID Planning
– Museums and Heritage Advisor
Leading Disabled Artists & Cultural Leaders Send Open Letter to UK Culture Ministers
– Official London Theatre
A New Alliance: in conversation with #WeShallNotBeRemoved
– Still Ill OK
Coronavirus: ‘Disability Arts Must Be Safeguarded’ 140 Artists Demand
– The Stage
Theatre 2021: Jenny Sealey on… Disability in Theatre
– The Stage
