Inclusive arts platform empowers artists with intellectual disabilities

Arts Access ID (Suisha Inclusive Arts) grows inclusive arts for artists with intellectual disabilities via accessible classes, performances, co-designed programmes, residencies and capacity-building. Over 10,000 people have joined since 2014; partnerships across Ireland and Europe.

Suisha – part of Horizons, a charitable organization formally known as Cope Foundation, based in Cork – works with artists who are neurodivergent or intellectually disabled. In 2014 it launched Arts Access ID, a multidisciplinary programme supporting artists, audiences, and organizations across Europe to participate in cultural life through co-creation, participatory process, and accessible practice. The number of participating artists has grown from about 500 in 2022 to over 1,350 in 2025.

Problems Targeted

Artists who are neurodivergent or have intellectual disabilities are often excluded due to inaccessible arts spaces, limited mainstream opportunities, segregation, and lack of sectoral knowledge.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Arts Access ID uses a multi-pronged approach, including accessible arts process, research, and capacity-building, to enhance inclusion of artists with intellectual disabilities (ID) in cultural life. Beneficiaries are artists with ID, disability service providers, arts organizations and communities in Irish and European contexts. Arts Access ID programmes are co-designed and led by artists with disabilities, developing educational pathways, residencies, and performances, and ensuring that the artists are decision-makers in their artistic process. The programme also supports capacity-building for mainstream arts venues and events. Exemplary initiatives include sold-out plays, national and European festivals, creative connectors, and co-founding inclusive music, theatre, and dance initiatives. Since 2014, 10,000+ individuals with ID have participated in accessible arts classes, higher education pathways, performances, exhibitions, and international conferences. The number of participant artists has grown from around 500 in 2022 to over 1,350 in 2025, with activities replicated in 20 Horizons sites in Ireland and internationally via EU Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and Horizons Europe applications. Suisha works with EASPD, the arts sector, Cork ETB, MTU, UCC, Social Protection, HSE, Research Ireland, local authorities, Erasmus+, Creative Europe, Léargas.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Suisha’s programmes are funded through a mixed model: 60 percent from Horizons/HSE core funding and 40 percent through a variety of grants. The Arts Access ID initiative is being rolled out in Ireland and multiple EU countries through increasing collaborative partnerships at the intersection of arts and disability. (#ZeroCall26)

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