Resident Artist receives Arts Council Funding for a new piece of work.

We’re pleased to announce that Alan Clay is the first of our Resident Artists to directly receive R & D funding from ACE Grants for the Arts for a new piece of work called Skip Rap. Alan secured the funding with the support of his Creative Producer Ben Rothera. This is an important moment for the future of work made by learning disabled artists in the UK. Congratulations Alan!

Alan says: “This will be my first show with me as Director and lead artist. It’s about a person who lives in an area that’s a dump and is on benefits. It’s also about what people think about people with learning disabilities – this is something new; it’s got attitude, it’s a powerful story, the rap about my life will probably shock you. Come and see a preview of my brand new show, it’s out of this world!”

On Friday 24 July, 7pm MTG Studios will host a Work In Progress sharing to mark the end of a weeks intensive development with Alan’s chosen mentor Baba Israel (Playback NYC, formerly Artistic Director of Contact theatre). Alan will also be working alongside Mind the Gap’s Resident Director (Joyce Lee), Billy Hickling (former member of Stomp) and members from Mind the Gap’s Ensemble to develop the piece.

After the sharing there will be a feedback session for people to tell Alan what they think. This feedback will play a really important role in the development of Skip Rap.