University of Atypical for Arts and Disability

What University of Atypical for Arts and Disability does

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability (legal entity: Arts and Disability Forum, charity no. 101588) is a disabled-led arts charity headquartered at 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1993 and operates with a small team of 11 employees; its sole executive leader is CEO and Artistic Director Edel Murphy, appointed January 2024, supported by an Access and Inclusion Manager. The organisation supports and promotes the work of d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in Northern Ireland and beyond, and serves disabled and D/deaf audiences seeking accessible cultural experiences.

Its core product is a portfolio of interconnected programmes: the year-round Atypical Gallery (free-entry exhibition space), Ledger Studio (a fully accessible studio venue available for hire), and the annual Bounce Arts Festival, now in its 12th year. Underpinning the programmes is the Atypical Generation Fund (formerly DDASF), which distributes £1,000 grants to 20 artists annually plus a £3,000 Digital Innovation Award funded by Santander Foundation. Complementary programmes include the Graduate Award (Ulster University Fine Art pipeline), Connecting Artists Programme (cross-border mentorship), Summer Accessibility Programme (4-day professional training), Arts and Disability Access Awards (sector accreditation scheme), Digital Horizon Programme, Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (Disability Dictionary — a digital creative resource exploring Irish language and disability), Urban Survival Kits (Erasmus+ international programme), and volunteer engagement routes.

The business model is a charitable funding mix rather than commercial revenue. Principal funding flows from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery funds; additional institutional funding comes from Belfast City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Santander Foundation. Complementary revenue streams include individual donations (with named tiers at £10/£25/£50/£100 for specific mission outputs), tiered fees for the Summer Accessibility Programme (£150-£300 per participant), and Ledger Studio hire income. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, centred on the gallery, annual festival, and grant cycles; distribution is regional across Northern Ireland with international Erasmus+ partners in Poland, Germany, Turkey and Croatia.

Name

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability

Legal name

Arts and Disability Forum

Website

https://universityofatypical.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is a disabled-led Belfast arts charity supporting d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists through a year-round gallery, accessible studio hire, annual festival, and grant programmes, funded principally by Arts Council Northern Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Arts Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Disability arts charity
• Arts accessibility training
• Artist grant funding
• Accessible exhibition space
• Disability arts festival

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals supporting the work of University of Atypical. Donations fund support for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists and arts accessibility programmes.
2. Arts Council and Public Funding: Principal funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery funds, plus support from Belfast City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Santander Foundation
3. Grant Programme Administration: Administers Atypical Generation Fund (formerly DDASF) providing £1000 grants to 20 artists and £3000 Digital Innovation Award, funded by National Lottery through Arts Council of Northern Ireland with additional Santander Foundation funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is a disabled-led arts charity that supports and promotes work by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists through exhibition programmes (Atypical Gallery), an accessible hireable studio (Ledger Studio), an annual festival (Bounce Arts Festival), grant programmes (Atypical Generation Fund, Digital Innovation Award), professional training (Summer Accessibility Programme), and career development programmes (Graduate Award, Connecting Artists Programme). It also runs an accreditation scheme (Arts and Disability Access Awards) and online digital resources such as the Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas Disability Dictionary.

Product overview

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is a disabled-led arts charity operating a portfolio of interconnected programmes: the Atypical Gallery (year-round exhibition space), Ledger Studio (accessible hireable performance/workshop space), Bounce Arts Festival (annual multi-artform festival), the Atypical Generation Fund (grant programme offering £1,000 awards to 20 artists), the Digital Innovation Award (£3,000 for digital projects), Summer Accessibility Programme (professional training), Graduate Award (career development with mentoring and solo exhibition), Connecting Artists Programme (mentorship pairing), Arts and Disability Access Awards (accreditation scheme), Digital Horizon Programme (digital skills), Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas/Disability Dictionary (digital creative resource), Urban Survival Kits (international travel empowerment programme), and volunteer programmes. The organization provides financial support, exhibition opportunities, professional development, and accessibility training to d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in Northern Ireland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atypical Gallery: Year-round gallery space at 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast showcasing work by D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists
• Ledger Studio
• Bounce Arts Festival
• Atypical Generation Fund
• Atypical Generation Fund
• Arts and Disability Access Awards
• Accessing Architecture
• Urban Survival Kits (USK)
• Graduate Award

Products and services

• Atypical Gallery Year-round exhibition programme showcasing work by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. The gallery is free to enter and located at 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
• Ledger Studio An accessible studio space available for hire at 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast. Used for workshops, training, rehearsals and performances. The space is on one level with accessible bathrooms.
• Bounce Arts Festival Annual festival showcasing innovative and powerful work by d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists across multiple art forms. Features events throughout Northern Ireland including Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Fermanagh and Omagh, and Cookstown areas.
• Atypical Generation Fund A grant programme offering £1,000 grants to 20 artists in Northern Ireland who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent to develop their creative practice. Supported by National Lottery through Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
• Digital Innovation Award An award of £3,000 supporting digital innovation projects by disabled artists. Funded by Santander Foundation and administered alongside the Atypical Generation Fund.
• Summer Accessibility Programme A 4-day summer programme covering all aspects of accessibility, designed and led by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. Covers topics including disability rights, access in built environment, accessible information, and neurodivergence. Tiered pricing: £300 per person from Belfast-based organisations, £260 from organisations outside Belfast, £150 for individuals (students or freelancers).
• Arts and Disability Access Awards A support and accreditation scheme in accessibility best practice for arts organisations, promoting and recognizing accessibility improvements across the sector.
• Connecting Artists Programme A national annual initiative pairing neurodivergent artists or artists with intellectual disabilities with mentors to nurture creative development and visibility.
• Graduate Award Career development programme supporting emerging d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent artists from Ulster University, including mentoring and a solo exhibition in the Atypical Gallery.
• Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (Disability Dictionary) A digital resource and creative arts workshop exploring the Irish language and disability. Created through workshops in Belfast and Dublin, available as a digital resource for writers, theatre makers, activists and Irish language learners.
• Digital Horizon Programme A programme focused on digital arts and technology skills development for disabled artists.
• Urban Survival Kits (USK) An international Erasmus+ programme exploring how disabled and neurodiverse adults can develop personalized survival kits to aid local, national and international travel requirements.
• Volunteer Programmes Opportunities for volunteers to support events and the organization's work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 artists supported with £23,000 funding in 2025 round
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ulster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the Graduate Award programme open to Ulster University Fine Art graduates. Partnership supports emerging disabled artists' career development.
• Art is CollectivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelfast-based assisted studio model organisation representing artists with learning and mental health disabilities. Collaborated on 'What Lies Within' exhibition.
• Connections Arts CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin-based social enterprise working with adults with intellectual disabilities and neurodivergent adults through Connecting Artists Programme. Co-exhibiting in Belfast.
• Mencap Northern IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity supporting people with a learning disability. Contributed film from 'Positive Identities, Inclusive Futures' project to 'What Lies Within' exhibition.
• Northern Ireland ScreenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body supporting screen industries. Partnered on Digital Film Archive project addressing underrepresentation and supporting disability representation.
• NOW GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Belfast organisation supporting people with learning difficulties. Partner in Urban Survival Kits Erasmus+ programme for international creative learning.
• Cotopaxi (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish partner in Urban Survival Kits Erasmus+ programme. Film workshop association supporting disabled adults.
• Blauschimmel Atelier (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman partner in Urban Survival Kits Erasmus+ programme supporting international creative learning exchange.
• Akdeniz University (Turkey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish university partner in Urban Survival Kits Erasmus+ programme for international creative learning.
• Upset Theatre (Croatia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian non-profit theatre organisation and partner in Urban Survival Kits Erasmus+ programme.
• The DisOrdinary Architecture ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based network established 2008 bringing disabled artists together with built environment professionals. Collaborated on Accessing Architecture project.
• Queen’s University BelfastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with doctoral researcher Gillian O'Hagan on Missing Voices project examining adolescent female experience of ASD.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mind the Gap: Leading UK disability-led performing arts company producing theatre and learning disability arts across England — directly comparable in mission to platform learning-disabled and neurodivergent artists.
• Carousel: Brighton-based arts and disability charity supporting learning-disabled artists through art agency representation and programming — directly comparable in championing learning-disabled artistic practice.
• Diverse City: Disability-led arts company producing theatre and performance with disabled and non-disabled artists across the UK — comparable in disability-led governance and inclusive arts mission.
• Graeae Theatre Company: Pioneering England-based disability-led theatre company producing work by D/deaf and disabled artists — directly comparable in disabled-led mission, arts programming, and training focus.
• Shape Arts: UK-wide disability-led arts organisation that supports Deaf and disabled artists with exhibitions, commissioning, and professional development — directly comparable in mission, beneficiary base, and disability-led governance model.
• Open Arts: Northern Ireland-based arts organisation for learning-disabled and neurodivergent adults (partner of UofA through Open Arts Choir) — regional peer serving similar beneficiaries with choirs and visual arts.
• ActionSpace: London-based disability-led visual arts organisation supporting learning-disabled and neurodivergent artists with studios and exhibitions — directly comparable in visual arts programming and disability-led gallery model.
• Hijinx Theatre: Wales-based disability-led theatre company producing work with learning-disabled and disabled artists — comparable in producing disability arts programming with associated training and outreach.
• Candoco Dance Company: UK integrated dance company with disabled and non-disabled dancers, producing performance and learning programmes — comparable in combining performance with education for disabled artists.

Emerging players

• Extraordinary Bodies: UK consortium of disability-led circus and physical theatre companies (including Diverse City) producing inclusive performance — comparable in disability-led performing arts but focused specifically on circus and physical theatre.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UofA21
• Instagraminstagram.com/universityofatypical
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-atypical

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 University of Atypical for Arts and Disability