Liverpool-based disability and Deaf arts-led organisation DaDa was founded in 1984 by artistic director John McGrath and Liverpool disability activist and performer Mandy Colleran as Arts Integrated Merseyside as part of London-based Shape Arts, becoming independent in 1986 as North West Disability Arts Forum focussing on Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding area. It became DaDa in 2008.
DaDaFest International was founded in 2001 to showcase the work of disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent artists, and will return 8–31 March 2025 with the theme of 'RAGE'. The programme will be revealed at an official launch at Unity Theatre on 29 November 2024.
Over its 40-year history, DaDa supported Liverpool City Council on policy making around access to services and transport, was consulted during the redevelopment of the Liverpool Everyman to make it one of the most accessible theatres in the country and has worked with the Unity for more than 20 years to change perceptions of disabled artists and for the theatre to independently programme work by and support disabled artists.
DaDa interim chief executive Zoe Partington said, “this is a very important year for DaDa as we mark our 40th anniversary—40 years of artistic excellence, activism, advocacy, creativity, collaboration, conversation and celebration.
“Our vision is ‘equity and excellence in the cultural landscape to break down the barriers that exist for disabled art communities’ and I’m very proud of the high level of artwork which has been created and presented over those four decades under the DaDa umbrella as well as in partnership with organisations and venues within Liverpool and beyond. It’s not been easy and disabled leaders have had to fight for equity at DaDa."