Chas, Disability Cultural Associate, LOCOG30 April 2008
Before joining London 2012 I had two linked careers, one as an arts manager and one as a practitioner - I DJ and used to manage bands. As you can imagine I've had some great experiences travelling from gig to gig, festival to festival. Playing Trafalgar S
Although my creative work is largely on hold during this placement, my past experiences inform the planning process of 'Extraordinary Abilities'. As an arts manager I have been on the staff of London Disability Arts Forum and Mental Health Media and am currently on the board of Core Arts, which promotes the artistic and creative abilities of people who experience serious and enduring mental health problems.
My artistic work comes from a background in sound and playing the electric violin. Last year I worked with Platform for Art to produce a project which took site specific sound installations into tube stations and recently I have been commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces, Graeae Theatre Company and Half Moon Young People's Theatre to compose music for productions and events.
I wanted to be a part of the Cultural Olympiad because it has the potential to be a breakthrough opportunity for disability arts and disabled artists. If all goes to plan 'Extraordinary Abilities' will be the largest programme of arts and sporting activity by disabled people ever produced in the UK. It is enormously exciting to be involved with this project; the possibilities it will create for disabled people and the way it could open the world's eyes is extraordinary.
