The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa are commemorating the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December 2019. This year’s theme is The Future is Accessible (#Futureisaccessible) and we would like to raise awareness on the challenges faced by almost 15% of the world population (7% of Zimbabwe’s population) and the role communities play in eradicating barriers to social inclusion, equity and participation.
The Brief
We call on artists with disabilities working in Zimbabwe or working abroad to create artworks which visualise the challenges that are hampering/acting as barriers to accessibility and/or a future where access to every lived experience is possible. Inclusion and diversity will be reached when people with disabilities have access to every opportunity they desire to shape their own destiny. ‘Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others’.[1]
The works should aim to contribute to raise awareness on Article 9 on Accessibility of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 9 advocates for persons with disabilities to live independent lives that allow them to participate fully in all aspects of life and on an equal basis with others, and accessing the following (among others):
physical environment
transportation
information and communications ((ICTs) and relevant information/facilities/services provided to the public
Works should be suitable for hanging and a maximum of two pieces per artist will be accepted.
Dates
Artwork deadline: on or before Sunday 23 November 2019 to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Exhibition Opening: Tuesday3 December 2019, in the framework of the UN commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Artist biography/profile
A brief description of the work including the title, year, medium and dimensions
An image of the artwork.
Guidelines
Contributions meeting the following criteria are encouraged:
Experiences of persons with disabilities with access/ barriers in society
Particular invitation extended to female artists as this time coincides with the 16 days of Activism and Gender Based Violence, e.g. barriers for women and girls with disabilities in marginalized communities to access inclusive information and Services to Gender-Based Violence
Being from emerging or practicing artists
Those that put new perspectives on historical works
Projects that push artistic practice in new and interesting directions
Submission Requirements
Works should be submitted ready for display along with the below documents in hard copy labelled The Future is Accessible – [Artist Name].