Draw to Perform Festival 2026 - Day of Performances

Join us for the first day of the Draw to Perform Festival 2026: Drawing on Disability - a bold celebration of drawing as a live, physical and performative act, led by professional disabled artists.

Draw to Perform is known for celebrating drawing in action - where mark-making becomes an event, a practice, and a shared experience. In 2026, we are extending our reach by placing disability arts at the centre of the programme, creating space for disabled artists to lead, experiment, and expand what live and performative drawing can be.

Drawing on Disability is an exploration of how disabled artists use drawing, mark-making, movement, and performance to express their experiences, creativity, and ways of engaging with the world. It celebrates disability not as a limitation, but as a source of artistic innovation, knowledge, and endless possibilities for making marks.

This special festival is presented by Draw to Perform in collaboration with the Chailey Heritage Foundation and will take place at the Dream Centre at Chailey Heritage Foundation.

Day 1 is dedicated to a programme of Live Drawing Performances by professional disabled artists. Throughout the day, artists will create work in real time - making visible the decisions, rhythms and risks of drawing as it happens. The programme will feature up to 8 performances, showcasing a range of creative approaches and the diverse perspectives and talents of disabled artists.