We are delighted to announce the appointment of disabled-led arts organisation CRIPtic Arts as producing partner for Liberty 2025.
As the Mayor of London’s flagship disability arts festival, Liberty is a bold platform for work by some of the most exciting disabled creatives, showcasing bold, innovative work that excites, challenges and reframes disability for audiences across the capital.
Liberty 2025 is a celebration of - and an investment in - the present and future of disabled people, art, culture, and community. CRIPtic’s vision as producing partner in 2025 is to embed these artists at the heart of the Wandsworth community as part of its London Borough of Culture year - interconnecting with schools, collaborating with local groups, and bringing artistic work into community spaces across the Borough.
Through Liberty, CRIPtic will foster new creatives and develop experienced creatives, investing in work at every stage, from fresh ideas to world-class works, shaping the present and future of disability arts.
Jamie Hale Artistic Director at CRIPtic Arts said: “At CRIPtic, we are passionate about commissioning work that explores the disabled experience - past, present and future - celebrating our existence and advocating for our rights. Equally, we seek work that emerges from a crip lens and addresses topics far beyond disability, challenging perspectives, questioning norms, and defying expectations. We welcome work that pushes artistic boundaries across form, theme, and style, moving beyond tropes and traditional narratives to create something fresh, resonant, and vital. For artists, participating should also be an opportunity - for growth, learning and development. Liberty commissions will support disabled creatives at every stage - from emerging talent to established artists - nurturing work from its earliest spark of inspiration to fully realised, world-class productions.”
Begun in 2003, Liberty has been a touring festival since 2018 and became embedded as a flagship event within the Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture programme in 2019. Liberty took place in Waltham Forest in 2019, Lewisham in 2022 and Croydon in 2023.
Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture said: “In 2025, Liberty will fill Wandsworth with the richness and diversity of disability-led arts, with work that speaks to everyone—from children’s workshops to dementia-friendly performances, from community engagement projects to groundbreaking theatre - and access for disabled people existing at the heart of it. It will reach new audiences, bringing disabled-led art to local businesses, venues, and partners, with the artists and commissions central to making this a reality”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London, said: “I’m delighted that CRIPtic Arts has been chosen to deliver the Mayor’s Liberty festival as a highlight of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture. This flagship festival is made by, and celebrates the creativity of, talented D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture is a chance for all parts of the borough to showcase culture and a brilliant way to attract and involve important audiences as we continue building a better London for everyone.”