Name of organisation Urban Boat

Country France

Organisation website www.urbanboat.fr

Contact person Alexia Balindjian - [email protected] - +33 6 38 29 74 02

Organisation type Non profit organization

Scale of the organization Small scale, 2 employees

PIC number 84426583500018

Aims and activities of the organisation In the footsteps of Urban Spree, a multidisciplinary space located in Berlin

dedicated to urban cultures and music, Urban

Boat is a barge conceived as a unique itinerant

cultural and artistic tool. Featuring a floating

outdoor stage powered entirely by solar energy,

Urban Boat can host concerts, performances,

screenings, and, with its numerous cabins,

provides a spacious workspace and a sound

creation studio. It is not only a distinctive venue

for artistic residencies but also a place for

artistic creation.

Role of the organisation in the project Lead

Sector or field Music, health

Description or summary of the proposed project Our project is based on the observation that

Belgium has many music groups featuring

artists with disabilities (Choolers Division,

Chevalier Surprise, Wild Classical Music

Ensemble, etc.). These groups stand out for

their high musical quality and highlight the

talents of artists with disabilities, especially

those with intellectual disabilities. This made us

wonder: why do so many of these groups

emerge in Belgium?

After co-organizing a festival (IN.OUT.SIDER

festival, Brussels) on this topic for the last 3 year and hosting several roundtable discussions

and professional meetings, we found that these

groups often come from collaborations between

artists or collectives, and care centers that host

people with disabilities. When the right

environment is provided, and creativity can flow

freely—especially through alternative and raw

music practices—the talent of these individuals

can be fully expressed, resulting in bands with

rare energy and quality.

Our project aims to explore different artistic

practices across European centers, study how

these centers can evolve to better support and

highlight the abilities of people with disabilities,

and, most importantly, encourage connections

(which we hope we’ll last after the project)

between artists or collectives and these

centers. The goal is to present art as a genuine

opportunity for "work" or, at the very least, as

an activity that can positively impact individuals

with disabilities, enhancing the quality of these

practices. Additionally, we aim to create real

artistic collaborations and encourage the

emergence of new inclusive musical bands,

which remain far too few outside Belgium.

We are still in the planning and reflection stage

and would love to connect with day centers,

hospital facilities, or other care institutions

interested in bringing alternative artistic

practices into their spaces. We are also eager to

meet artists or collectives who are open to

experimenting and working with people with

disabilities.

Partners currently involved in the project IN.OUT.SIDER Festival (Brussels)

From country or region No preference

Preferred field of expertise Artists, collectives of artists or cultural organizations with an interest/expertise in

working with people with disabilities

Care centers for people with disabilities that

have or are looking to develop artistic practice

workshops (particularly in music) for their

members and that have an interest in outsider

art practices. Any partners from health, cultural or other

sector that might find an interest in our project