Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, Open Arts explores how the lockdown has disproportionately affected those with disabilities by increasing the experience of isolation many already face. Open Arts has maintained a lifeline for the disabled community in Northern Ireland through creative activities, including the Open Arts Choir, Luminous Soul, dance festivals, Gamelan, stage productions and more.

‘Living in a Box’ features talking head interviews with many of those involved with Open Arts from staff members, volunteers and participants. They discuss life in the organisation prior to and during the Coronavirus pandemic from 2020, and the difficulties that people faced by the lack of important social events which Open Arts provided.

In part two of the film, Open Arts highlights all the online initiatives that enabled participants to connect during this hard time, such as creative writing classes. For many, moving online was a learning curve and they required additional support, but for the ability to connect with their friends it was worth it. Staff from Open Arts talk about how they had to get creative with their problem solving, and work through collaboration in order to try new things. Towards the end of the film, they discuss the movement towards meeting in person again, anxieties around social distancing, and the transition back to work and classes.

Subtitles by Bev McGeown

Open Arts Participants:

Alison Black, Andrea Hope, Andy Ward, Angela Porter, Ann Tyler, Anna Sosa, Arthur Moore, Bernice Burrows, Bonnie Soroke, Breege Corr, Caitriona Murtagh, Carley Palmer, Catherine Hannah, Cinzia Savonitti, Darren Murphy, Delia Skan, Emma Gibson, Frances McGonnell, Gareth Smyth, Gerry McBride, Hannah Beattie, Hannah Cahoon, Jayne Milhulland, Jodie Devlin, Jolene Flynn, Julie Dorrity, Julie-Anna Richmond, Kate Ingram, Katy Megahey, Leo Chardwick, Lesley Dickie, Linda Fearon, Lindsay Bagwell, Louise Heron, Lucy McFrederick, Mairead Jennings, Margaret Mann, Margaret McGahan, Mary Lou McCord, Michelle Porter, Niamh Lenaghan, Patsy Tyler, Peter Livingstone, Phoebe Gibson, Rene Boyd, Ryan McCartney, Sarah Cantillon, Soo Hun, Talia McDowell, Tim Leathem, Vivienne Keenan, Will Chadwick, Wilma Bickerstaff.

Open Arts Facilitators:

Alan Beattie, Anne McCambridge, Elisabeth Higginson, Helen Hall, Johnny McGeown, Orla McKeagney, Richard Geddis, Ruth Carr, Sheelagh Colclough, Susie Agahi.

Open Arts Staff:

Eileen Branagh, Chief Executive
Bev McGeown, Musical Director
Jemma Robinson, Finance & Admin Assistant

Audio Description by NI Sightlines

Funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council

Filmed and Edited by Michael McNulty

• Open Arts