Extraordinary Bodies

23/03/2026

Take Up Space is a national call-to-action to protect disabled artists’ right to work.

Our new short film shines a light on the quiet dismantling of disabled artists’ right to work.

Our film celebrates 12 years of unique artists and physical exploration. Bringing together 15 disabled and non-disabled artists, each claiming space in their own way.

Each moment in the film is a protest. Each artist states clearly: I am here. I create. I belong. I Take Up Space.

The performances are accompanied by original words and music from John Kelly and Ted Barnes, and woven together by filmmaker Stephen Lake.

20/03/2026

UK/Kenya creative collaboration ‘Earth, Wheels, Air’!

On Friday 27th & Saturday 28th March & premiere Earth, Wheels, Air Nairobi for the finale of the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season of Culture.

A genre-defying live show combining contemporary dance, aerial circus and physical performance that celebrates inclusive practice and creative innovation with artists across two continents.

Link to registration for free tickets in Bio.

Earth, Wheels, Air is an Unlimited International open Award 2024 commission made possible thanks to funding from British Council.

Made possible by,

18/03/2026

Access to Work is being cut — and the impact is devastating.

As Jamie Beddard puts it: “Access to Work has not only enabled me to contribute as an artist but also as a taxpayer.”

Right now, disabled creatives and their organisations are being told their Access to Work funding is being cut. Small but essential organisations are being asked to cover costs they simply cannot absorb — on top of already soaring operating costs.

This isn’t just unfair. It’s economically illiterate.
When disabled creatives are pushed out of work, we all lose. We lose their artistry, their voice, their contribution — to culture, to communities, and yes, to the tax base.

Share this. Talk about it. Make noise. Take Up Space . Disabled artists belong in this industry — and we need to fight to keep them here.

DisabledCreatives ArtForAll InclusionMatters

02/03/2026

To mark the launch of Take Up Space, we’re bringing you a conversation that really matters.

Jamie Beddard (EB lead artist) and Billy Alwen (EB Co- Artistic Director), sit down to talk about why the Access to Work scheme matters, what cuts could mean for disabled creatives, and why we can’t stay silent.

Haven’t seen the full film yet? Head to our YouTube and watch it now. 👆

Help us spread the word by sharing this video — because Access to Work isn’t just policy. Its people’s livelihoods and Extraordinary Bodies could not have made work for the last 12 years without it.

05/02/2026

23/01/2026

Take Up Space is a national call-to-action to protect disabled artists’ right to work. Powered by a new short film by Extraordinary Bodies, we are shining a light on the quiet dismantling of disabled artists’ right to work.

Our film celebrates 12 years of unique artists and physical exploration. Bringing together 15 disabled and non-disabled artists, each claiming space in their own way.

Each moment in the film is a protest. Each artist states clearly: I am here. I create. I belong. I Take Up Space.

The performances are accompanied by original words and music from John Kelly and Ted Barnes, and woven together by filmmaker Stephen Lake.



Find out more
https://www.extraordinarybodies.org.uk/our-work/take-up-space/

05/12/2025

11/09/2025

This autumn, Extraordinary Bodies returns to Galway to partner once again with Galway Community Circus on ‘Circus is for Every Body’ – a new project making circus participation and performance more accessible for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people in Ireland.

The journey begins on Culture Night, Friday 19 September at 8pm, with a free event at Galway Community Circus featuring a performance demonstration, Q&A and short film screening with Extraordinary Bodies, funded by Galway City Arts Office and Arts Council Ireland.

The project will deliver circus workshops with Galway Autism Partnership, CHIME and Enable Ireland, provide inclusive training for circus tutors in Ireland, and create a brand-new performance featuring D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent youth premiering in February 2026.

Join us on Culture Night as we kick off this exciting collaboration!

Circus is for Every Body is funded by the Rethink Ireland Disability and Participation Awareness Fund and the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants by Community Foundation Ireland.