Carousel

What Carousel does

Carousel is a UK learning disability-led arts organisation and registered charity (No 297201), founded in 1982 and headquartered at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton. Operating as a company limited by guarantee (No 2137755) under trustee governance chaired by Kirsty Pentecost and with a Director (Liz Hall) and Artistic Director (Gareth Evans), the organisation delivers a multi-disciplinary portfolio of programmes serving learning disabled artists, children and young people, cultural venues, and the wider public. Core offerings include the BAFTA-accredited Oska Bright Film Festival (the world's leading festival for films made by or featuring learning disabled and autistic people), Carousel Radio (an award-winning podcast featuring learning disabled presenters and recognised with British Podcast Award and Lovie Award honours), Carousel TV, The Rock House music gigs, Blue Camel Club (a 24-year-running learning disability club night), Carousel Chorus ensemble, Pop-Up Poets spoken-word programme, Media Team production services, FairGround Records (an in-house label distributing releases on Bandcamp), and a dedicated Children & Young People programme.

Revenue flows from four distinct streams: charitable donations (individual giving via JustGiving, VirginGiving, CAF, Give As You Live, PayPal, and corporate fundraising), grant funding anchored by Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status (awarded November 2022) plus BFI, National Lottery, Global Make Some Noise, Youth Music Foundation and other foundations, ticket sales at £4.80-£6.50 per event with carers admitted free, and consultancy fees for accessibility training, customer service training, venue walkthrough videos, and secret shopper audits supplied to galleries, museums, cinemas, theatres and other venues. Distribution combines regional venue partnerships (Green Door Store, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, The Old Market) with global reach through YouTube, Acast, Podomatic, Bandcamp and a touring festival presence including Brighton Fringe, The Great Escape and BFI Southbank.

The operating model is community-led and event-driven: an Artist Development function delivers training, mentoring, placements, commissions and international touring support feeding a pipeline that performs across the in-house ecosystem, while a sector-wide convening role is exercised through the Creative Minds Network of 52 learning disability arts companies. The organisation runs with approximately 58 staff, no parent entity, and a Technology stack oriented to standard digital marketing, payments, CRM and analytics tooling rather than proprietary AI/ML capability.

Name

Carousel

Legal name

Carousel

Website

https://carousel.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Carousel is a UK registered charity and learning disability-led arts organisation founded in 1982 and based in Brighton. It delivers film, music, radio, TV, club nights, and spoken word programmes for learning disabled artists, young people, cultural venues, and public audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and cultural services for learning disabled communities

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO), Community Parades, Carnivals & Street Fairs (MPAGAEAE)

Keywords

• Learning disability arts
• Inclusive arts programs
• Film festival production
• Community radio broadcasting
• Accessibility consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Individual donations through online platforms (Engaging Networks, JustGiving, VirginGiving, CAF), corporate donations, and fundraising events.
2. Grant Funding: Core funding from Arts Council England as National Portfolio Organisation; BFI funding for Oska Bright Film Festival; BFI Audience Projects Fund; National Lottery; Global Make Some Noise; various charitable foundations.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from paid events including Blue Camel Club (£5.50-£6), The Rock House (£4.80-£5), and festival tickets.
4. Consultancy Services: Fees for accessibility training, customer service training, venue walkthrough videos, and secret shopper audits for galleries, museums, cinemas, theatres, and other venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Carousel is a learning disability-led arts charity that develops, produces, and showcases creative work by learning disabled artists across multiple disciplines including film, music, radio, TV, and spoken word. The organization runs an integrated portfolio of programmes - including the BAFTA-accredited Oska Bright Film Festival, award-winning Carousel Radio, Carousel TV, Blue Camel Club nights, The Rock House gigs, Carousel Chorus ensemble, and Pop-Up Poets - alongside artist development, school outreach, and accessibility consultancy services.

Product overview

Carousel is a learning disability-led arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of creative programmes and services. The core offerings include Oska Bright Film Festival (BAFTA-qualifying international film festival), Carousel Radio (award-winning podcast/radio programme), Carousel TV (television production), The Rock House (music gigs), Blue Camel Club (club nights), Carousel Chorus (music ensemble), Media Team (film production), Pop-Up Poets (spoken word), and Children & Young People programmes. Supporting services include Artist Development (training, mentoring, commissions), Consultancy (inclusion training, venue audits), and FairGround Records (internal label for releasing artist music). Oska Bright DIY provides school workshops, while Postcards From My Seaside Town offers multi-sensory performance projects. The organization operates as a unified ecosystem where artists progress from development programmes through to professional production and performance opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oska Bright Film Festival World's leading film festival for films made by or featuring learning disabled and autistic people. BAFTA-qualifying festival promoting accessible screenings, training for venues, and skills development for aspiring filmmakers. Operates a touring programme with events across the UK.
• Carousel Radio Award-winning radio programme and podcast featuring learning disabled presenters hosting themed episodes. Distributed as podcast via Podomatic and Acast. Includes shows such as Meet Me In Five and Carousel Radio Takeover series. Won British Podcast Award and Lovie Award.
• Carousel TV Television programme featuring learning disabled talent on screen and behind cameras. Features music, art, comedy sketches, interviews, film segments, and news reporters with handmade cardboard studios. Broadcast on Latest TV and distributed via YouTube.
• The Rock House Regular Brighton gig featuring learning disabled bands and musicians including F.witch, Dima Zouchinski, and Crash Course. Hosted at Green Door Store, Trafalgar Arches, Brighton. Ticketed event priced £4.80 online and £5 on the door.
• Blue Camel Club The biggest learning disability club night on the South Coast, running for 24+ years with 109+ events hosted. Features learning disabled DJs and performers, themed activities, and is held at venues including Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and The Old Market. £6 per person with carers admitted free.
• Carousel Chorus Music ensemble producing original songs and performances. Released EP 'Freedom' in 2023 featuring songs inspired by nature. Records at professional studios and performs at intimate venues across Brighton.
• Media Team Creative team producing content for website, social media, and YouTube. Available for commissions. Team members trained in filmmaking, editing, camera work, presenting, script development, graphics, and sound design.
• Pop-Up Poets Spoken word programme giving learning disabled poets and storytellers opportunities to perform in public spaces. Artists deliver five-minute sets with microphone and speaker at outdoor and indoor venues.
• Children and Young People Programme Arts events and workshops for young people in music, film, radio, and digital arts. Includes school workshops, family activities, Arts Awards support, and resources for teachers and arts leaders.
• Consultancy Services Bespoke consultancy for venues and organisations on inclusion and access. Services include customer service training, venue walkthrough videos, and secret shopper audits. Operates the Creative Minds network as a national arts and learning disability network.
• Artist Development Skills training, placements, mentoring, and teamwork programmes developing learning disabled artists. Includes commissions, international touring support, awards, and partnerships with industry mentors.
• FairGround Records Carousel's own record label releasing music from learning disabled artists. Distributes EPs and albums from artists including F.witch, The Black Bawlerz, Carousel Chorus, and Bubbaloo via Bandcamp.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34,000+ live audience reached over five years; 3 million TV viewers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Media TrackscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2023Joint initiative giving opportunities to under-represented musicians in production music industry. Media Tracks delivers workshops on Production Music to Carousel artists; Carousel guides Media Tracks on accessible materials for learning disabled audiences
• Can Do MusosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership for Paralympics album creating energetic tracks with learning disabled artists and Can Do Musos artists
• The Great Escape FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 December 2022Official charity partner for The Great Escape 2023; opportunity to develop and promote learning disabled musicians through festival platform
• dreamthinkspeakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Postcards From My Seaside Town project; world-leading immersive theatre company collaborating with learning disabled artists on multi-artform performances
• WakehurstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with London Philharmonic Orchestra for Carousel Chorus project creating new music
• London Philharmonic OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Wakehurst for Carousel Chorus project creating new music
• Brighton Comedy GardenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner for Brighton Comedy Garden event; raising funds and profile at major regional comedy festival
• Creative Minds NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational arts and learning disability network operated by Carousel since 2012; 52 leading learning disability arts companies in network; sold-out national conferences and regional hubs
• Green Door StorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegular venue partner for The Rock House gigs in Brighton; provides performance space for learning disabled musicians
• Brighton DomecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Blue Camel Club events at Corn Exchange; major Brighton arts venue
• The Old MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Blue Camel Club events in Hove
• Brighton and Hove Operatic SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVirtual Choir chose Carousel as charity partner on video releases; donations made through Facebook
• Give As You LiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline fundraising platform enabling supporters to raise funds for Carousel while shopping online
• St John's College BrightonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for talent search where The Black Bawlerz were formed during workshops
• FairGround RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarousel's own record label releasing music by learning disabled artists including The Black Bawlerz album and Carousel Chorus EP
• Outside InminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned William Hanekom to design award-winning map for National Trust
• Reggie LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Carousel to produce F.witch's music video Ice Cream on Mondays

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Blue Teapot Theatre Company: Galway-based learning disability theatre company producing professional touring work and training programmes. Comparable peer in learning disability-led performing arts but operating primarily in Ireland rather than directly competing in the UK market.

Direct peers

• Heart n Soul: London-based learning disability arts organisation running music events, club nights (e.g., The Hub), artist development, and creative programmes. Closely comparable peer operating in similar LD arts niche with parallel event-driven programming model and Arts Council funding profile.
• Mind the Gap: Bradford-based learning disability theatre company producing touring performances, training, and international work with learning disabled artists. Directly comparable as a UK learning disability-led performing arts organisation with similar artist development, touring, and grant-funded model.
• DaDa Fest: Liverpool-based disability and deaf arts festival and organisation producing annual festival programming, artist development, and disability-led cultural events. Comparable peer given festival-led disability arts programming and similar grant funding model.
• Venture Arts: Manchester-based learning disability arts organisation offering visual arts, music, and performance programmes with artist studios and public exhibitions. Comparable as an LD-led arts organisation delivering multi-disciplinary creative programming with similar grant funding dependencies.
• Shape Arts: London-based disability-led arts organisation delivering training, exhibitions, and the Open call for disabled artists. Comparable peer in the broader disability arts sector with overlapping artist development and accessibility consultancy services.
• Access All Areas: London-based inclusive theatre company working with learning disabled and autistic artists on training, performance, and consultancy. Directly comparable as an LD-led performing arts organisation with overlapping artist development and accessibility consultancy services.
• Hijinx Theatre: Wales-based inclusive theatre company producing professional work with learning disabled actors, training programmes, and venue accessibility services. Strong peer given shared artist development, touring, and venue accessibility training offerings.

Emerging players

• Action Spectrum: London-based inclusive performing arts organisation working with learning disabled artists on creative projects. Comparable as an emerging peer in LD-led performing arts with overlapping training and production activities.
• Open Theatre: UK-based learning disability theatre company producing collaborative performances and training programmes with learning disabled artists. Comparable peer in the LD-led performing arts niche with similar touring and artist development model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carouselartuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CarouselCharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/carouselartuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/carouselartuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carousel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carousel