University of Atypical for Arts and Disability

01/05/2026

Today our CEO Edel Murphy had a preview of the exhibition 'Fifty: A Return To Cloth' by Norma Beggs who received a grant from University of Atypical for Arts and Disability in 2024. Norma Beggs is holding a solo exhibition at The Gallery Whitehead this May.

Edel says "Catching up with artists and getting to see the work they do is the most rewarding aspect of the work we do. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fruits of Normas work over the past two years and encourage anyone who has a chance to pop by to see it."

The funding received by Norma came through the then named Deaf Disabled Artist Support Fund funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
through National Lottery funds.

Official Launch: Saturday 2 May, 6–8pm
Venue: The Gallery Whitehead

30/04/2026

University of Atypical announces £25,000 in grants to Sounds Atypical Two award recipients for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent music creators in Belfast. This follows a recent open call for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 provided through Belfast City Council to support, promote, and create opportunities for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent music creators and audiences in Belfast.

This year, six grants in total have been awarded to Northern Irish music creators across genres, industry experience, and disabilities for events to take place in Belfast in 2026.
Speaking at the award event, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, said: “Belfast City Council is delighted to continue our partnership with University of Atypical to fund the delivery of Sounds Atypical, an important fund that supports high quality, accessible live music events by, and for, the d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent community in Belfast.”
The awardees are Martin Della Vecchia, Joe Kenny, Andy Skinner, William McLean, Lauren Martin and Susie Blue.

Recipient Joe Kenny, a blind singer song-writer based in Belfast told us: “I’m absolutely delighted to have received a funding award from the Sounds Atypical grant. [...] I’m determined that music artists with a disability are better represented within the local live music calendar. My disability isn’t everything. When I’m on stage playing and singing, I don’t need to see to know what’s going on. I feel that connection with my audience just like any other artist. If there is such a thing as magic, I think it’s there.”
University of Atypical will work with each performance event to deliver accessibility for audiences through sign language, captioning, audio description and venue access.

Learn more about the award recipients on our website: https://universityofatypical.org/sounds-atypical-two-grant-recipients-announce/

Events will take place throughout 2026. Keep up to date on the events through our socials.


Belfast City Council Culture Belfast Belfast Music

26/04/2026

On Wednesday 20 May 2026 we will be hosting our Atypical Book Club!

We will be discussing True Biz by Sara Nović: a New York Times bestseller set in a Deaf school, exploring ASL and Deaf culture, drawing on Nović’s experience and research as a Deaf writer and activist.

We hope to spark interesting and productive conversations, and provide a space of connection for the disabled community.

Anyone is welcome to join, particularly if you are d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent. This will be an accessible and welcoming space for everyone to delve into meaningful conversations inspired by our carefully curated reading list. Even if you don’t finish the book, please come along anyway and join the discussion!

We will have a BSL interpreter for the evening.

We encourage you to book a free place in advance to let us know about any access or dietary requirements. Book online for Wednesday 20 May, 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Belfast: https://buff.ly/4rMfCDI

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast City Council Theatre and Dance NI Community Arts Partnership Communities NI

24/04/2026

Our Green Open Call opportunity closes on the 30 April 2026 at 4:00 pm. This is open to visual artists who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, based in Northern Ireland. This is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. You can find details on our website.

10/04/2026

FÓCLOIR FAOI MHÍCHUMAS
GLOACH-AMACH: Gaeilge agus an Mhíchumas
CALL-OUT: Irish Language ​and Disability

Seo cuireadh duit do ghuth, do thaithí, agus do chruthaitheacht a roinnt linn.

We invite you to share your voice, experience, and creativity.

Mar chuid dár bhFóclóir Faoi Mhíchumas, tá muid ag bailiú freagraí scríofa agus ealaíonta a dhéanann iniúchadh ar an caidreamh idir an mhíchumas agus an Ghaeilge.

As part of our Fóclóir Faoi Mhíchumas, we're gathering written and artistic responses that explore the relationship between disability and the Irish language.

Is cuid lárnach iad na píosaí seo d’acmhainn dhigiteach nua. Beidh na healaíontóirí Billí Mills agus Soso Ní Cheallaigh ag bailiú agus ag coimeád na píosaí chun comhrá agus tuiscint spreagadh faoin Gaeilge agus cuimsitheacht.

These will form part of a digital resource collected and curated by artists Billí Mills and Soso Ní Cheallaigh, to encourage more conversations and understanding about an inclusive Irish language.

D’fhéadfadh sé seo a bheith mar:
Dán, gearrthéacs, nó machnamh.
Líníocht, péintéireacht, nó saothar ealaíne digiteach.
Grianghraf.

Freagra ar do thaithí féin ar theanga, rochtain, féiniúlacht, nó muintearas.

This could be:
A poem, short text, or reflection
A drawing, painting, or digital artwork
A photo
A response to your own experience of language, access, identity, or belonging

B’fhéidir go ndéanfaidh tú machnamh ar:
Cad is brí leis an nGaeilge duit?
Cé chomh hinrochtana is atá an Ghaeilge i do shaol?
Conas a thagann míchumas agus an Ghaeilge le chéile i do thaithí?
Cén chuma a bheadh ar Ghaeilge chuimsitheach?

You might reflect on:
What does the Irish language mean to you?
How accessible is Irish in your life?
How do disability and ​the Irish language intersect in your experience?
What would an inclusive Irish​ language look like?

Tá fáilte roimh gach leibhéal Gaeilge. Is féidir leat freagairt i nGaeilge, i mBéarla, nó sa dá theanga.

All levels of Irish are welcome. You can respond in Irish, English, or both.

Seol do fhreagairt tríd an nasc sa bhio.
Spriocdháta: Dé Luain, 4 Bealtaine.
Submit your response via the link ​.

Deadline:​ Monday 4 May
Cruthaímis acmhainn bheo, chruthaitheach le chéile.
Let's build a living, creative resource together.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4rfEBmscdb5E42nFhkMLpy7JWWL5pwsDZKCeex7PKMrMCDA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102293311530682053160

.

10/04/2026

University of Atypical is recruiting! We are looking for a Community Engagement Manager to support our work with new and existing audiences, groups, and partners. This is a part-time fixed-term post (32 hours per week for 9-10 months). Applications close on Thursday 14 May 2026 at 4:00 pm

The job description and application forms can be downloaded from the link below, or email applyto@universityofatypical to request forms, accessible formats, or with any other questions.

https://www.communityni.org/job/community-engagement-manager-32-hours-week

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast City Council DoLing AisHerty Edel Murphy Theatre and Dance NI Community Arts Partnership Disrupt Disability Arts Festival we will thrive

10/04/2026

Edel Murphy, UofA CEO attended the Arts Council of NI showcase of Minority Ethnic artists programme at the MAC.

Edel commented - “Access to the arts is integral to University of Atypical’s work and we understand how targeted support to address barriers to access are so important. I am excited to see that two artists - Shiro Masuyama and Anushiya Sundaralingham, who have been part of University of Atypical’s previous grant programmes, are also profiled within this Minority Ethnic showcase.”

Arts Council of Northern Ireland The MAC Shiro Masuyama 増山士郎 Anushiya-Artist

08/04/2026

Thank you to all the students and support staff that visited Zara at the University of Atypical table during the Belfast School of Art Talent Hub day.

It was a busy day and students were introduced to University of Atypical and the support we offer D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. Our next generation of artists were told about the 2026 University of Atypical/Belfast School of Art Graduate Award, how we provide application access support for DDN artists applying for Arts Council of Northern Ireland grants, and our volunteering opportunities.
Belfast School of Art Ulster University

02/04/2026

The office and Atypical Gallery will be closed on Friday 3 April and will re-open on Tuesday 7 April at 10:00 am.

01/04/2026

On Thursday 2 April, the Atypical Gallery will be open for a final evening viewing of Intangible Bodies by Paul Moore. The Gallery will be open from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for Late Night Art Belfast. We are pleased to have Paul Moore in the Gallery for the evening to talk to visitors about the installation.

If you can't make it here for Late Night Art, this exhibition will run until Wednesday 29 April at 4:00 pm.

30/03/2026

Rent Our Space

Calling all creatives, whether you be an artist, an individual, or an organisation: Do you need an accessible space for an event? Ledger Studio is the perfect place!

Our flexible and accessible venue can fit whatever you need; formal, professional, fun, relaxed, we can do it all!

Come to us with any meeting, workshop, performance, panel, etc. that you need a space for and we can make the Ledger Studio perfect for you.

We can provide catering and hospitality at request.

We have lots of chairs, tables, a projector, a sound and lighting system, and more!

We’re located in Belfast City Centre.

Check out the link in our bio for more details, and pictures of our set ups.

If you are interested, contact us at ledgerstudio@universityofatypical.org



https://universityofatypical.org/ledger-studio/

30/03/2026

Arts and Disability Ireland’s Connect Round Two is open for applications.
It is open from Monday 23 March and closes at 4pm on Tuesday 12 May.

Arts and Disability Connect includes Mentoring, Training, New Work, and Research and Reflection awards for individual artists with disabilities.

Application forms, guidelines and other resources can be found at

Arts and Disability Connect includes Mentoring, Training, New Work, and Research and Reflection awards for individual artists with disabilities.