Embodying Accountability is an exploratory project that considers whether the outcomes of activist art can be documented and measured. Metrics are useful for securing funding, training, and other professional development opportunities; however, art created by disabled, d/Deaf and mad artists arguably seeks to challenge quantification. Embodying Accountability addresses this tension through innovative audience engagement and outcome measurement strategies aligned with the objectives of the artists. Through this participatory, qualitative pilot project, we developed a process to creatively measure the affective, political, and other relevant outcomes of disability arts events. We partnered with artists and curators of two explicitly activist-oriented disability, d/Deaf, and mad arts exhibitions in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2020-21. The first exhibition, De-Isolating a Pandemic, a portrait series by Lani Zastre, reflected on the emotional challenges of isolation in the context of COVID-19, especially for those living with mental health conditions. The second exhibition, Cripplepalooza, a cabaret presented by Sick + Twisted, challenged conventional understandings of disability by addressing sexuality, narrative tropes, and institutionalized ableism. Through consultation with the artists we tailored methods specific to their exhibition and objectives. This presentation gives an overview of the engagement process and tools developed for these collaborations and explores the challenges and tensions inherent to “measuring” artistic outcomes.
This presentation starts from 5 mins 32 secs to 17 mins 15 secs.
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Presenters
Jen Sebring
Jennifer (Jen) Sebring is a graduate student in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Their research uses critical disability studies and arts-informed methods to look at the healthcare experiences of people living with chronic illness. Jennifer holds an Honours BA in Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Winnipeg.
Christine Kelly
Christine Kelly, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Community Health Sciences and a research affiliate with the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Kelly uses qualitative methods to explore the continuing care policy, aging, and Canadian disability movements.
Michael Orsini
Michael Orsini is Professor in the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in critical approaches to policy in the fields of health and disability.
