Design and Disability exhibition
Recently, the people in our Creative Studio at St Albans community enjoyed a special day trip to London to visit the V&A Museum’s Design and Disability exhibition in South Kensington.
The exhibition explores the often-overlooked creative and transformative contributions of Disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent people to design and contemporary culture, from the 1940s to the present day. Importantly, it challenges traditional narratives by showing disability not as a barrier, but as a powerful source of innovation, creativity and new ways of thinking.
Representation matters
For the people we support, visiting an exhibition centred on disability and design was a meaningful experience. Seeing Disabled creatives represented in a major national museum reinforces a powerful message: that their voices, ideas and creativity belong in these spaces.
Representation in the arts helps people feel seen, valued and inspired, and it opens up conversations about identity, access and inclusion that are still too often missing from mainstream cultural spaces.
As Liz shared after the visit:
“It was really interesting that we were at a disability exhibition. We got to meet a service dog!”
Creative inspiration and connection
The exhibition also offered plenty of inspiration for our Creative Studio members’ own work. From adaptive design and graphic arts to fashion and everyday objects, the displays sparked ideas, questions and conversations that will continue back in the studio.
Just as importantly, the trip was an opportunity to be part of a wider cultural conversation; engaging with contemporary ideas, visiting a world-class museum, and taking part in shared experiences beyond the community. These are all things we actively encourage at Camphill Village Trust as part of enabling a life of opportunity.
Supporting a life of opportunity
Experiences like this don’t happen by chance. They’re made possible through thoughtful support, planning and a shared belief that everyone should have access to culture, creativity and the wider world.
By supporting community members to visit exhibitions, explore new places and connect with society beyond our communities, we help build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging. These opportunities enrich lives, inspire creativity and remind us all of the value of inclusive spaces where everyone can contribute.
We’re proud to support the people we work alongside to take part in experiences like this, and we look forward to seeing how this visit continues to influence creative work in the studio in the weeks to come.
