Our mission...
Nirvanas Arts Collective believes in the transformative power of the arts, our focus spans various domains of wellbeing including the social, emotional, occupational, and financial. We believe that disabled and neurodivergent artists should have the chance to expand their occupational and financial opportunity whilst nurturing their overall wellbeing. We want to empower our artists to raise and achieve their personal and professional aspirations and goals; our mission is to dismantle barriers that hinder access to artistic spaces and creative opportunity to ensure our artists reach their fullest potential.
As a disability-led organisation we have a deep understanding of the role of the social and medical model of disability. We aim to ensure all access needs are considered by creating support that acknowledges the interconnected role of social inaccessibility and the impact of disability on individual health and daily living. We want disabled and neurodivergent artists to be able pursue their passions and make their voices heard in creative landscapes; we hope our commitment to providing considered support helps brings ‘hidden’ artists to the forefront of the conversation in the arts sector and creative spaces.
Our wider mission is to bring therapeutic services through creative practices to the community to close the gap in wellbeing equality, and create sustainability through the development of a social economy. We believe that social missions are a means to generate profit that is reinvested into the community, creating a vital support system for marginalised, disadvantaged and disabled communities. Our commitment to our social mission not only enhances the quality of life for the people we serve but also contributes to a more equitable society.
Our Values
Equity
We believe equality can only be achieved through equitable interventions and projects.
Diversity
We aim to represent the many communities and voices within the services we provide.
Inclusion
Inclusion should go beyond just eradicating the physical barriers that impact inclusion, but make individuals and communities feel fully included through considerations of all individual needs, the language used, and acceptance of identities and differing life experiences.
Resistance
In the face of exclusive and oppressive structures, NAC strives to resist social and political change that negatively impacts the health, wellbeing and identities of disabled individuals and marginalised cultures and identities. NAC believes positive, beneficial change will only come about if communities resist and object to negative change.
Accountability
NAC strives to continually reflect on the actions and behaviours of those that operation within NAC that may harm or have a negative impact on individuals, communities and the environment. Through this we show that we value marginalised voices within oppressive structures.
Social Economy
We believe in creating a social economy that uplifts marginalised groups and supports sustainable economic development which creates real world positive impact to disadvantaged groups.
Individualism
NAC aims to see staff, directors, volunteers and individuals that use NAC services as individuals with their own perspectives, experiences, identities, cultures and communities.
Co-production
Those with lived experience are experts in their own experience. Those with lived experience should be centered in the decisions NAC make as they bring invaluable ideas and contributions to the direction of services.