Curating Access: Disability Art Activism and Creative Accommodation

This book explores how contemporary exhibitions and artistic practices can prioritize access, considering it an integral and creative part of the artwork. It includes essays by artists, curators, and scholars that explore ad-hoc, experimental, and underground approaches to exhibition-making, aiming to make museums more engaging for a wider diversity of audiences. The book provides innovative case studies and demonstrates how anyone can be a curator of access, going beyond protocol and policy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book is a remarkable interdisciplinary compilation comprising twenty-four thought-provoking essays that delve into contemporary exhibitions and artistic practices that prioritize conceptual and creative aspects of access. While access is often considered an afterthought in the realm of art exhibitions, this volume challenges the notion by exploring the potential for access to be an integral and innovative component of artistic endeavors. The authors question whether access can be both creative and experimental, and whether curators can incorporate it into their practices as a theoretical and practical force that enhances the engagement of a broader range of audiences.

The book features essays by a growing number of artists, curators, and scholars who explore these ideas through ad-hoc, experimental, and underground approaches within exhibition-making and artistic practices. It examines how these nascent exhibition models and art practices can foster enhanced experiences of access in museums, becoming a shared responsibility among museum workers, curators, artists, and the public. By viewing access as a zone of intellectual and creative accommodation, the book aims to redefine the discourse surrounding accessibility within cultural institutions.

The book offers innovative case studies that provide valuable insights into how individuals, artists, curators, museum administrators, and educators can implement access in a way that goes beyond protocol and policy. It demonstrates that anyone can be a curator of access and offers practical strategies for approaching access in a manner that transcends conventional approaches. This book will be of immense interest to students and scholars engaged in the study of museums, art history, and cultural studies, as it offers a fresh perspective on the role

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking exploration of the intersection of art, access, and cultural institutions. It challenges the traditional boundaries of exhibition-making and artistic practices by advocating for a more inclusive and innovative approach to accessibility. Through its compelling essays and innovative case studies, it provides valuable insights into how individuals, artists, curators, and educators can work together to create a more equitable and accessible cultural landscape.

Weight: 770g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367775230