UKS is proud to launch the Neurodivergent/Funkis Cultural Workers Forum

Neurodivergent and disabled people experience lots of barriers, often invisible, to a life in arts and culture. You may find art openings overwhelming because of anxiety, perhaps caused by the amount of people and noise, or you might find filling out forms for applications confusing because of the way you process information. You might also find that your “divergence” is your superpower! Although we are all very different, many of us face similar barriers at work, often with nowhere to talk about them or find support.

Like all marginalised groups, we are stronger together. At UKS we want to create a caring community to discuss how to lead a fulfilling life in art and culture – and, in time, perhaps also begin conversations and actions for systemic change.

This event offers an informal introduction to this new forum, followed by time to chat.
Neurodivergent and Disabled artist-curator Aidan Moesby will give a brief introduction to the Forum before a chaired conversation with curator at Norsk Billedhoggerforening, Estrella de O, and curator Mathilde Carbel explore some of the systemic issues and barriers to access and inclusion faced by cultural workers.

Aidan Moesby (b. 1967, UK) is an artist, curator and writer bringing a nuanced approach to the emotional context of working with climate change and the deep inter-connectedness between the natural and social environments within modern life.

Estrella de O (b. 1985, CO) is a multi-dimensional being, currently Curator at the Norwegian Sculptors Society, as the stars would have it. Previously the driving force of -palmera- artist-run space in Bergen and a number of art manifestations in Norway and abroad, she is deeply invested in finding hidden gems inside each and every one’s unique artistic practice.

Mathilde Carbel (b. 1990, DK) is an artist, curator and writer. She previously worked at Kunsthall Oslo and since 2022 she has been curator at BO, Billedkunstnerne i Oslo while also founding the artist-run space Pachinko with Kristian Schrøder.

After the introductory event on September 4, the Forum will meet on the last Tuesday of every month at UKS at 6.30–8.30pm.

Access information

The event is spoken in English and will be live streamed via YouTube. Click here to access the livestream.

UKS is wheelchair accessible.

We do not currently have sign language interpretation, but we are hoping to secure an British Sign Language interpreter for the meeting. Please contact Maria Stephansen on m.stephansen@uks.no if you require sign language interpretation and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.