DIGITAL HORIZON
Digital Horizon Masterclasses October 2023 to January 2024
Digital Horizon Masterclasses October 2023 to January 2024 University of Atypical for Arts and Disability have five brand-new exciting Digital Horizon Masterclasses for our Autumn-Winter programme. Digital Horizon is a professional development programme funded by the Santander Foundation's Digital and Financial Empowerment Fund. The Digital Horizon programme is supporting the Arts and Disability sector to pursue new ambitions using digital technology. The Masterclasses are peer-led by artists who are d/Deaf, Disabled or Neurodiverse. Masterclass Leaders are selected because of their exceptional skills in their particular artform area and for their personal experience as a disabled person. The new season of Masterclasses cover music collaboration online, animation, sound-scaping, apps for people with dyslexia, and painting skills with digital tools.
To Book Your Place on a Masterclass
Email administration@universityofatypical.org, or phone 028 9023 8450
Are you interested in being one of our next Digital Horizon Masterclass leaders?
Application forms are available by email request to administration@universityofatypical.org. Next deadline: Wednesday 22 November 2023 Pictured below our staff and volunteers welcomed Matt York from the Santander Foundation to visit our Summer Programme.
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The Autumn season of Masterclasses covers music collaboration online, digital animation, sound-scaping recording, apps and tools for creatives with dyslexia, and developing painting skills with digital tools.
Friday 27th October 2023 - Peter Fleming & Kris Marsden ‘Online Songwriting and Collaborating’ ’ Friday 10th November 2023 - Grace Fairley ‘The FUNdamentals of Digital Animation’ Friday 17th November 2023 - Joel Simon ‘Digital Portrait Painting using Procreate’ Friday 1st December 2023 - Conor Mc Ginley ‘Dyslexia and How I Built My Robot Secretary’ Friday 26th January 2023 - Sinead O’Neill Nicholl ‘Experimenting creatively with sound recordings’ Important information on the Masterclasses • You must register to confirm your place. • There are 14 places only on each Masterclass. • You must be aged 18+ • Masterclasses are free of charge. • Some Masterclasses require you to have your own laptop. • We will support you with access needs (let us know in advance). • Lunch is included.
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Date: Friday 27 October Time: 10.30am-4.30pm ‘Online Songwriting and Collaborating’ with Peter Fleming and Kris Marsden This Masterclass will provide a professional introduction to techniques on songwriting and recording collaboration using Zoom. In today’s environment of virtual meetups, musicians and creatives are increasingly writing and collaborating remotely in online forums.
Who is this for? This is a Masterclass for creatives who are involved with any form of music, sound design or vocal performances. You may be a newcomer to the creative process or an established artist who wants to learn these new skills; all are welcome.
Who is leading this Masterclass? Peter is a stroke survivor, musician, songwriter and owner of recording studio, White Mountain Music, in Maghera, Co Derry. He composes music for moving image and television. He has worked as a production manager for international artists including Dolly Parton. Kris is a songwriter and musician recording and touring as Kippysmuse. Much of his work is based on personal experience of mental health issues. Kris has extensive experience in the music industry including event management, promotion and mentoring. As well as working independently, Peter and Kris have a longstanding work partnership co-managing NKP Songs, a songwriting production team for future music syncs and song placements.
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Date: Friday 10th November 2023 Time: 10.30am-4.30pm ‘The FUNdamentals of Animation’ with Grace Fairley This Masterclass will benefit those interested in finding out more about digital animation. Grace will introduce the principles of animation, and will give you an opportunity to practise your new skills in using digital technology; tips and tricks for using Adobe After Effects rotoscoping; using Walk Cycle. Bring your own iPad or tablet if you have one; if not, we can lend you one for the day.
Who is this for? This Masterclass is for anyone interested in finding out about digital animation - those with no experience as well as those with a basic understanding will find this a fun and worthwhile opportunity to explore a new skill in a no-pressure environment.
Who is leading this Masterclass? Grace Fairley is an illustrator and animator based in Belfast. She describes her work as “consisting of everything weird, wonderful, and colourful”. She believes in the importance of play, and that powerful messages can be communicated in a fun way. Her work has specific connections to disability, mental health, and womanhood. Grace herself identifies as a neurodiverse and dyslexic artist. Grace also uses her creative skills to facilitate after school art clubs, and to teach disabled adults. She is the co-founder of ARTSFEST Belfast, and co-director of Lemon Juice, Belfast's only female-led illustration studio.
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Date: 2023 FridayFriday 12th 17th MayNovember from 10.30am-4.30pm Time: 10.30am-4.30pm ‘Digital painting and mood-boards ‘‘Digital Portrait Painting using Procreate’ using Procreate’ with Joel Simon. with Joel Simon A Masterclass on creating a digital portrait using Procreate, based Discover ways to research and a visual art on a photonew or painting you bring with you.develop Joel will show piece. Joel how will to demonstrate how to create boards participants create a digital portrait using mood a variety of using program ‘Procreate’ on an iPad. can digital the brushes that can emulate analogue paintiPads brushes andbe provided or bring your own pencils faithfully. Participants will also be guided through the key functions of layering techniques and image editing.
Who is this for?
Participants are asked to bring a picture or drawing of a person they would like to create a portrait of on thewide day. Bring your Suitable for visual artists working in a range of own iPad with Procreate installed, or request the loan of a device when mediums: illustrators, painters, sculptors, textile designers you register; we have a limited number of iPads to lend to and others. No experience necessary. participants.
Who Who is is leading this for? this Masterclass? Joel Simon is aisprofessional visual artist based Belfast The Masterclass suitable for visual artists working in ainwide range since 1995; he is also an amputee. His work spans of mediums: illustrators, painters, sculptors, textile designersmany and visual No mediums including painting, animation and film. His others. experience is necessary. work has won awards internationally and been seen on platforms such as BBC Cinemagic and as part of the Who is leading this ARTS, Masterclass? London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He set up the animation Joel Simon is a professional visualin artist based BelfastLola since 1995; studios Flickerpix Animations 2003 andin Hola he is also an amputee. Animations in 2017. His work spans many visual mediums including painting, animation and film. His work has won awards internationally and been seen on platforms such as BBC Arts, Cinemagic, and as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He set up the animation studios Flickerpix Animations in 2003, and Hola Lola Animations in 2017.
Date: Friday 1st December 2023 Time: 10.30am-4.30pm ‘Dyslexia and How I Built My Robot Secretary’ with Conor McGinley London-Irish artist Conor McGinley will focus on digital tools that help navigate his creative work-life as a dyslexic person. Conor will demonstrate how to use a wide range of applications and software to streamline workflow and increase productivity. He will demonstrate and explore the lesser-known secrets of Freeform software, Grammarly, playback technology, and YouTube. Conor’s Masterclass is highly anticipated as a super-interesting day. He is an excellent presenter with a wealth of experience. This Masterclass will be integrated with personal anecdotes, technical insights, and hands-on demonstrations and how he created his very own ‘Robot Secretary’ – a digital companion that assists him in conquering the demands of his dynamic artistic ventures.
Who is this for? This Masterclass is for creatives who have dyslexia or creative people who want to support others in navigating the world of dyslexia.
Who is leading this Masterclass? As an artist-creator for over 20 years Conor has experience in video production, street art, traditional fine art, graphic design and digital arts. He has regular commissions and is an excellent facilitator working with all ages and abilities in creative projects. Diagnosed as dyslexic aged 7 years old, Conor’s own educational journey started in a special school for children with learning disabilities. Having developed his own coping and personal development skills, Conor wants to share how technology has been the key in overcoming barriers he experiences as a dyslexic person.
Date: 2024 FridayFriday 12th 26th MayJanuary from 10.30am-4.30pm Time: 10.30am-4.30pm ‘Digital painting and mood-boards ‘Experimenting creatively with sound using Procreate’ with Joel Simon. recordings’ with Sinead O’Neill Nicholl This is a Masterclass on Sound Recording for creatives who want to Discover new ways to research andWith develop a demonstravisual art incorporate sound art into their practice. a mix of tions, practice anddemonstrate exploration, participants will explore process piece. Joel will how to create moodthe boards of creating soundtracks‘Procreate’ using recording and editing software using the program on an iPad. iPads can be GarageBand its your Android equivalent. You will need a provided or and bring own smartphone; if you have access to a Macbook, iPad, or laptop, you should also bring this with you (Android tablets can be supplied).
Who is this for?
Who is this for? Suitable for visual artists working in a wide range of mediums: illustrators, painters, sculptors, textile designers This Masterclass is suitable for anyone interested in creating their own video, visual art, theatre and/or performance and soundtracks others. No for experience necessary.
situations. It is an advantage, but not essential, to have experience using types of editing software. Whoother is leading this Masterclass?
Who is leading this Masterclass? Joel Simon is a professional visual artist based in Belfast since 1995; he is also an amputee. workinspans many Prior to becoming an artist, Sinéad had aHis career Public Sector visual mediums including painting, animation andNow film.anHis Finance and IT, and is a qualified Accounting Technician. established multi-disciplinary artist, she creates installations using work has won awards internationally and been seen on light, audio,such still images video, and live art performance. platforms as BBCand ARTS, Cinemagic and as part ofShe theis accomplished in Sound Recording techniques, including field London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He set up the animation recording, sound design, sound editing and production. She is also studios Flickerpix Animations in 2003 Hola Lolawith experienced in the use of Raspberry Pi andand Arduino, along other software and tech, such as Blender, AR and Projection Mapping. She excels in exploring and honing digital skills to inform and elevate her practice. Sinéad lives and works around a lifelong autoimmune condition.
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Digital Innovation Award The Digital Innovation Award offers a £3000 award to a emerging or exceptional artist who is d/Deaf, Disabled or Neurodiverse to pursue their creative ideas inspired by digital technology. The award is funded by the Santander Foundation as part of the Digital Horizon programme. Our Digital Innovation Award 2023 winner was Stuart Robinson, a musician, audio engineer, composer, sound designer and technician from Bangor. In his own words, Stuart told us what the award meant to him: ”I applied for this award as I wanted the opportunity to learn and develop my skills regarding audio-visual content and explore new software, broaden my skill set and create abstract work. Because of the financial support this award gave me, I was able to spend time learning and experimenting with Max MSP. I learned a lot about the software, developed coding skills and created new sound work. I also experimented and explored other software such as Houdini, Pure Data and TouchDesigner which I really enjoyed. I would encourage others who are thinking of applying for the award to focus on something they are interested in and passionate about, as this will help motivate you when you reach challenging points. It's a great opportunity to learn new skills and explore areas related to your current expertise.”
The Digital Innovation Award 2024
Open for applications in October /November 2023 and close in December 2023. It is an application based process. To enquire, email administration@universityofatypical.org putting ‘Digital Innovation Award’ in the subject line.
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Lottery Awards 2023 Friday 12thNational May from 10.30am-4.30pm
‘Digital painting and The University of Atypical for Arts and mood-boards Disability is grateful for the continued support our principal core funder The National Lottery through the usingfrom Procreate’ with Joel Simon. Arts Council of Northern Ireland thanks to The National Lottery players. Discover new ways#NLAAtypical to research and develop a visual art piece. Joel will demonstrate how of to Atypical create mood boards Vote for University using the in program ‘Procreate’ on an iPad. iPads the National Lottery Awards 2023!can be provided or bring your own The UofA team is excited to be a finalist in the The National Lottery
Who thisWe for? Awardsis2023. are competing against 16 other projects from across the UK for the title of National Lottery Project of the Year. We know we Suitable for visual artists working in but a wide are up against some fantastic competition we arerange askingof for you to mediums: illustrators, painters, sculptors, textile designers vote for us if you like what we do.
and others. No experience necessary. Vote for us using the hashtag Who is leading this#NLAAtypical Masterclass? Or this link www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards Joel Simon is a professional visual artist based in Belfast Or by scanning the QR code since 1995; he is also an amputee. His work spans many visual mediums including painting, animation and film. His work has won awards internationally and been seen on platforms such as BBC ARTS, Cinemagic and as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He set up the animation studios Flickerpix Animations in 2003 and Hola Lola
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It's given me the tools to go off and get started. I've more personal research in my own creative area to do and then I can embrace the technical tools that were demonstrated in a very supportive and hands-on environment.
What our attendees said about our Masterclasses
It gave me new inspiration to play more music , record and develop which is in essence real therapy for me. I know now that with a bit of investment in simple Digital equipment that Peter introduced us to I could record and play and enjoy making music
I got so much from this masterclass meeting like-minded people and having the opportunity to network. The environment felt friendly and inviting so I felt more comfortable sharing my neurodiversity with others.
Actually finding out I wasn't the only autistic one felt great! That gave me a chance to talk to others who have had similar experiences especially as an artist. I didn't feel I had to mask
About Us
University of Atypical for Arts and Disability (UofA) is the lead sectoral organisation for arts and disability in Northern Ireland. We are disabled-led, taking an empowerment-based approach towards d/Deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse people’s involvement in the arts as audience members and creative practitioners.
Location of Masterclasses
All Masterclasses will be held in University of Atypical’s new Ledger Studio, beside the Atypical Gallery, on 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FF.
The Ledger Studio - available to hire
The Ledger Studio is a disability-accessible space that can be hired by groups or individuals throughout the year. Contact us to book the Ledger Studio for meetings, training or performance events.
Contact us
Telephone number: 02890 239450 Email address: administration@universityofatypical.org
The University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is grateful for the continued support from our principal core funder The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland thanks to The National Lottery players.
