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universityofatypical.org
University of Atypical
@universityofatypical.org
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Belfast based disabled-led charity developing, showcasing & promoting work by D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent artists. Atypical Gallery, Bounce Arts Festival & much more!
www.universityofatypical.org
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universityofatypical.org
University of Atypical @universityofatypical.org · Apr 3
Hi, we are University of Atypical a disabled-led charity developing, showcasing & promoting work by D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent artists. We have moved here from Twitter and look forward to being part of the conversation on Bluesky.
www.universityofatypical.org
University of Atypical – Belfast based arts organisation promoting the aims of disabled and deaf artistsAccessibility ToolsIncrease TextDecrease TextHigh ContrastNegative ContrastReset
www.universityofatypical.org
universityofatypical.org
Deadline approaching!
Sounds Atypical funding is closing soon.
Musicians creating accessible, disabled-led music events in Belfast can apply.
£1,000–£5,000 available
Access costs supported separately
Apply here universityofatypical.org/awards-and-o...
A pink backdrop with white text. Text reads “Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme” placed on white lines representing a music staff with a white spiral symbol representing a treble clef. Underneath are three logos; Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and University of Atypical.
January 27, 2026 at 11:03 AM
universityofatypical.org
Join us on Fri 20 Feb for our Creative Networking Event marking International Day of Social Justice. Bringing together d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists to explore arts, activism and disability—representation, art for change, a panel, plus coffee, pastries and networking.
Sitting on chairs, two women face towards each other in conversation, the woman on the left has long ginger hair tied high in a ponytail with dark rimmed glasses and a long orange dress. Her hands are up in front of her chest, palms facing out. The second woman has long dark hair and glasses and wears a light grey top and scarf, her arm leans on the chair. In the background are small groups of people sitting around black circular tables chatting.
January 26, 2026 at 1:19 PM
universityofatypical.org
A few places left!
Join our Introduction to British Sign Language course, which is led by the always brilliant Paula Clarke. The course is perfect for beginners and anyone curious about BSL and Deaf culture.
A woman with short red hair, wearing dark purple trousers and a striped yellow and white top stands in front of a projector screen with an image of hands signing and the title British and Irish Sign languages in NI. Her hands cross over in front of her chest with a finger from each hand pointing out.
January 23, 2026 at 9:20 AM
universityofatypical.org
Want to support d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists?
Join us for our Volunteer Information Session
Flyer for our Volunteer Drop-In Information Session. Text reads: “Join the Volunteer Drop-In Information Session. Grab a coffee, enjoy some free goodies, and take part in our collaborative art project while you’re there. Thursday 29 January 2026, 10:00–12:00 pm, Ledger Studio, Ground Floor, 109–113 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FF.” The design has a green background and an illustration of a large, diverse group of people, including wheelchair users, elderly people etc.
January 22, 2026 at 11:20 AM
universityofatypical.org
On Friday 13 February 2026, we are delighted to welcome Darlene Corry to the Ledger Studio. The morning workshop will explore how creative writing can support wellbeing through grounding prompts, mindful writing practices. Participants will receive a journal to support ongoing daily writing.
A purple flyer with a circular image of a person’s hand writing in a book. At the top of the flyer is a yellow circular logo for University of Atypical for Arts and Disability or the other side is a British Sign Language logo of two hands in white outline. At the bottom in white text ‘Creative Writing for Mental Wellbeing Workshop with Darlene Corry’. In black text underneath ‘ Friday 13 February 2026 10:00am - 1: 00pm Ledger Studio Belfast’. In smaller white writing at the bottom ‘BSL included. This workshop is free. Booking is essential Supported by the Public Health Agency through the clear project’
January 13, 2026 at 10:42 AM
universityofatypical.org
Ever thought about joining a book club but weren’t quite sure?
Our Atypical Book Club is the perfect place to start.
Our first Book Club of 2026 takes place on Thursday 22 January in the Ledger Studio, and we’ve chosen to discuss Octavia E. Butler’s climate dystopian novel The Parable of the Sower.
A teal background with a circular yellow logo for University of Atypical for Arts and Disability. Black text reads: ‘Atypical Book Club. Thursday 22 January 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Ledger Studio, Belfast. All welcome! Book your free place online. Reading: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler.’ To the left of the body text is an image of the book cover. The cover illustration features a stylised image of black woman wearing a red dress and head covering.
January 10, 2026 at 10:15 AM
universityofatypical.org
Are you a musician and interested in creating more accessible and disabled-led music events in Belfast?
Sounds Atypical Music Awards Two is currently open. Funded by Belfast City Council these music awards are for disabled led music events to take place in Belfast City Council regions in 2026.
A pink backdrop with white text. Text reads "In Person Advice session, Friday 9 January 2026 6:30pm to 7:30pm" “Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme” placed on white lines representing a music staff with a white spiral symbol representing a treble clef. Underneath are three logos; Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and University of Atypical.
January 7, 2026 at 1:28 PM
universityofatypical.org
Learn something new this year! Join our Introduction to British Sign Language course with Paula Clarke. Mondays 6–7pm, 26 Jan–16 Mar 2026. 8 weeks for £60. Book your place now.

buff.ly/1eb9CRa
A woman with short red hair, wearing dark purple trousers and a striped yellow and white top stands in front of a projector screen with an image of hands signing and the title British and Irish Sign languages in NI. Her hands cross over in front of her chest with a finger from each hand pointing out.
January 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
universityofatypical.org
Are you a musician and interested in creating more accessible and disabled-led music events in Belfast?
Sounds Atypical Music Awards Two is currently open. Funded by Belfast City Council these music awards are for disabled led music events to take place in Belfast City Council regions in 2026.
A pink backdrop with white text. Text reads “Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme” placed on white lines representing a music staff with a white spiral symbol representing a treble clef. Underneath are three logos; Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and University of Atypical.
January 5, 2026 at 10:05 AM
universityofatypical.org
Wishing you a Happy New Year from all the team at University of Atypical.

The office is open from Tuesday 6 January.

We have exciting plans for 2026 so why not sign up to our newsletter to find out more.
universityofatypical.org/mailing-list/
The image shows colourful text reading 'Happy New Year 2026' on a purple background with confetti
January 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
universityofatypical.org
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift or something a little different?
Why not treat someone to a place on our Introduction to British Sign Language course in 2026.
A woman with short red hair, wearing dark purple trousers and a striped yellow and white top stands in front of a projector screen with an image of hands signing and the title British and Irish Sign languages in NI. Her hands cross over in front of her chest with a finger from each hand pointing out.
December 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
universityofatypical.org
Our staff and volunteers will be taking a well-deserved break over the holidays. As a result, our office, Ledger Studio and the Atypical Gallery will be closed from 3:30 pm on Friday 19 December, and will reopen on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

We wish everyone a peaceful holiday season !
the image show an illustration of a yello Christmas bauble against a blue night sky. Whit text is overlayed on the image. It reads - Happy Christmas. At the bottom of the image white test reads - Our office and the Atypical Gallery will be closed from 3.30pm on Friday the 19 december, and will reopen on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
December 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
universityofatypical.org
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for our International Day of Persons with Disabilities events! Nearly 600 people came through our doors to celebrate, connect, and take part.

#IDPD #Belfast
A white box filled with leaves in browns and green colours. A blue piece of artwork with white paper placed around it. People’s hands are in the background. A woman stands looking up at a large wall of fabric hung ceiling to floor. Her image is silhouetted. Light is projected onto the fabric in the shape of three large windows with an arched top. On a white background sits blue text reading ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3 December’. Beside the text in colours of red, blue, orange and green are circles which join at the bottom in hand like shapes. A blue dot is in the centre. A black-and-white archival image of Elizabeth Bouvia, center, in her wheelchair. She holds a pillow in her lap, and gazes ahead — mouth agape and head slightly to the side. Around her, four male lawyers in suits are staged around her, staring at her seriously. Behind her to the left, one of the lawyers crosses his arms at his chest while looking down at her, as if to scold her. Courtesy of LA Times.
December 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
universityofatypical.org
Thanks to everyone who attended the ‘Art and Our Environment’ workshop as part of our International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrations. “This was truly enlightening and the tutor was so lovely, patient and caring” Feedback from a participant. Thank you to our funder Public Health Agency.
A long table down the middle of the room with people sitting and standing around it. Art work in colours blue and white is on the table alongside leaves. In the backdrop is long white material hung from ceiling to floor with images of leaves projected onto it. A white box filled with leaves in browns and green colours. A blue piece of artwork with white paper placed around it. People’s hands are in the background. On a table are leaves of different colours of brown and greens. Beside it is a hairdryer., kitchen roll and pieces of paper. On a table is a box with blue light shining from it. An image with leaves placed on it lies beside it.
December 4, 2025 at 9:17 AM
universityofatypical.org
Join us on Friday 5 December at 1:00 - 2:00 to hear our exhibiting artist Charys Wilson talk about her practice and exhibition ‘Half Light’.
Free and no booking required. British Sign Language included.
A woman stands looking up at a large wall of fabric hung ceiling to floor. Her image is silhouetted. Light is projected onto the fabric in the shape of three large windows with an arched top.
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
universityofatypical.org
Our final Creative Networking Event of 2025 was a great way to kick off our programme of events for International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Join us for more events, including an artist talk with Charys Wilson, Late Night Art, and a film screening of ‘Life After’. buff.ly/81qDlnJ
Four people sit on chairs against a white wall and blank projector screen. A man in the centre is speaking, his hands reached out and head tilted to the side. A woman with a bright pink jacket and brown hair faces towards him. On the other side are two women listening. One wears all black, with a red scarf over her shoulders, short dark hair and glasses. The other wears a long orange dress, glasses and long ginger hair. A room of round tables and chairs with people sitting in groups of twos and threes. At the front is a projection of a powerpoint slide with a woman holding a guitar and text which says ‘Music opportunities’. To the right is a woman wearing all black, signing and another woman stands up presenting information. A woman with blonde hair, wearing black clothes signs with her hands in front of a room of people. In the background are round tables with chairs and groups of people sitting in twos and threes. A person stands on the other side of the room, with a TV screen behind them with words in yellow writing. Two women sit on chairs angled towards each other, one woman with long ginger hair, glasses and an orange dress has her hands up with her palms facing out. The other woman with long dark hair, glasses and a grey top is looking at her. Behind them are people sitting on chairs by round tables chatting to one another.
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
universityofatypical.org
We are delighted to announce the launch of Sounds Atypical Music Awards Year Two. Funded by Belfast City Council these music awards are for disabled led music events to take place in Belfast City Council regions in 2026.
A pink backdrop with white text. Text reads “ Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme” placed on white lines representing a music staff with a white spiral symbol representing a treble clef. Underneath are three logos; Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and University of Atypical.
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
universityofatypical.org
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is on 3 December.
Join us for our programme of celebrations featuring artist networking, the launch of the music grant, a new exhibition opening, and our first-ever film screening.
universityofatypical.org/get-involved...
An ombre background of pink, orange, yellow. At the top in black text is ‘International Day of Person with Disabilities Events at University of Atypical’ beside it is a yellow circular University of Atypical logo. Underneath is 6 boxes in different colours with a list of events. The events are as follows: Tuesday 25 November Sounds Atypical Grant opens Tuesday 25 November Creative Networking Event- Disability Arts on the International Stage Booking required; Wednesday 26 November Chocolate and Coffee Volunteer Get -together; Wednesday 3 December Art and Our Environment Booking required; Thursday 4 December Half Light by Charys Wilson Late Night Art; Friday 5 December Half Light by Charys Wilson Artist Talk; Friday 5 December Film Screening of Life After Booking required.
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
universityofatypical.org
We’ll be showing Life After, Friday 5 December a powerful and deeply reflective documentary by director Reid Davenport that explores Medical Assistance in Dying through​ the often​ absent voices of disabled people.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjfl...
LIFE AFTER // Official Trailer
YouTube video by Multitude Films
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:52 AM
universityofatypical.org
Unfortunately we have to cancel our Book Club for Thursday 20 November. We're hoping to reschedule for the new year so we can still discuss Parable of the Sower - we have a lot of thoughts about it!
universityofatypical.org University of Atypical @universityofatypical.org · Nov 17
Our last Atypical Book Club for this year is on Thursday! Join us for discussion on climate dystopia and the importance of building community, through the lens of Octavia E Butler's 'Parable of the Sower'. Thursday 20 November at 6:30 pm in University of Atypical. All welcome!
Text quote on teal background: “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change." Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler Atypical Book Club Thursday 20 November, 6:30 - 7:30 pm University of Atypical, Belfast
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
universityofatypical.org
Join us for our Chocolate Afternoon — a fun get-together celebrating volunteering.

26 November 2025
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Ledger Studio
Come for the chocolate, stay for the fun — everyone’s welcome.

For more information contact Cinzia at [email protected]

#Volunteer #Belfast
mage with text on a light green background that says: ‘join us for our chocolate afternoon a fun get together celebrating volunteering Date: Wednesday 26 November 2025 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm Come for the chocolate, stay for the fun’. The letters of the word chocolate are shaped like chocolate biscuits
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
universityofatypical.org
Our last Atypical Book Club for this year is on Thursday! Join us for discussion on climate dystopia and the importance of building community, through the lens of Octavia E Butler's 'Parable of the Sower'. Thursday 20 November at 6:30 pm in University of Atypical. All welcome!
Text quote on teal background: “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change." Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler Atypical Book Club Thursday 20 November, 6:30 - 7:30 pm University of Atypical, Belfast
November 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
universityofatypical.org
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is on 3 December.
Join us for our programme of celebrations featuring artist networking, the launch of the music grant, a new exhibition opening, and our first-ever film screening.
universityofatypical.org/get-involved...
An ombre background of pink, orange, yellow. At the top in black text is ‘International Day of Person with Disabilities Events at University of Atypical’ beside it is a yellow circular University of Atypical logo. Underneath is 6 boxes in different colours with a list of events. The events are as follows: Tuesday 25 November Creative Networking Event- Disability Arts on the International Stage Booking required; Wednesday 26 November Chocolate and Coffee Volunteer Get -together; Wednesday 3 December Art and Our Environment Booking required; Thursday 4 December Half Light by Charys Wilson Late Night Art; Friday 5 December Half Light by Charys Wilson Artist Talk; Friday 5 December Film Screening of Life After Booking required.
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
universityofatypical.org
We won’t be open this Thursday for Late Night Art as we’re busily installing our new exhibition. Come and see us in the Atypical Gallery from Thursday 13 November for Charys Wilson’s beautiful ‘Half Light’ exhibition. We’ll be open for Late Night Art on Thursday 4 December! buff.ly/8SKVDZC
Photograph of dappled light coming though a tree canopy, the whole image slightly blurred and grey.
November 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
universityofatypical.org
This workshop, led by artist Charys Wilson, will delve into methods of camera-less photography, using found organic material from our natural environment. Participants will be invited to create artworks that explore the natural world.
A blue flyer with an image in the centre of two pieces of artwork hung by pegs on a line. Green fern leaves are placed around the image. White text sits below which reads “Art and our environment -cyanotype workshop with Charys Wilson” Underneath in black text “Wednesday 3 December 2025 1:30pm -4:30pm Atypical Gallery, Belfast”. To the side is a white outline of hands to show that BSL is available. Smaller white text reads “BSL included. This workshop is free. Booking is essential. “ and “Supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear project”. At the very bottom of the flyer is a QR code and three logos for Public Health Agency and Clear Project.
November 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM