Disability Arts Online (DAO) has unveiled dis_place, a pioneering digital gallery that breaks new ground in accessible exhibition-making. Created by and for disabled, D/deaf and neurodivergent artists, the platform reimagines how art can be experienced online—prioritising accessibility without compromising on quality or aesthetic depth.
At the heart of this ambitious venture is the appointment of Nathalie Boobis as DAO’s first in-house curator, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s 20-year history.
A new home for disability-led art
The launch of dis_place is the culmination of years of community consultation, digital development, and partnership-building. Supported by Arts Council England and developed alongside digital agency Surface Impression, the platform has been in progress since 2020.
DAO, known internationally for its accessible online platform and commitment to artist development, views dis_place as the next logical step in its evolution. The gallery seeks to amplify intersectional voices within the disability arts community while building bridges between art, technology and activism.
According to DAO’s Chief Executive, Trish Wheatley, the project signals a new chapter:
“We’re really excited to be launching dis_place as a curated, disabled-led gallery space. Our aim is to make it truly sector-leading in terms of access, creating a high-quality audience experience that compromises on neither access nor aesthetics.”
Nathalie Boobis: a visionary at the helm of disability arts
Nathalie Boobis brings a wealth of experience to her new curatorial role. A disabled and neurodivergent curator currently based in Newcastle, she has led Deptford X – a prominent visual arts festival in South East London—since 2018.
Her background includes curatorial work at SPACE in London, academic training in fine art and curating from Brighton and Goldsmiths, and research roles within curatorial departments and art centres.
Nathalie’s approach to dis_place is informed by her lived experience and a desire to reimagine what inclusive curation looks like.
“DAO dreamed up dis_place with a utopian ideology around accessibility,” she says. “The form and the function of dis_place aim to challenge assumptions and limitations around access and disability. This is an opportunity to lead a project from my lived experience.”
Her vision is clear – to curate exhibitions and commission new works that elevate underrepresented voices and generate systemic change within the sector.
Towards New Worlds: the pilot exhibition
dis_place will open with a digital adaptation of Towards New Worlds, a landmark exhibition first shown at MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art).
Co-curated by artist and activist Aidan Moesby and MIMA’s own Helen Welford, the show explores sensory perception and how disabled artists experience and interpret the world.
Dubbed “ground-breaking” by The Art Newspaper, the original exhibition is believed to be the largest showcase of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in the UK in the 21st century.
The digital version will run from 21st May to 19th December 2025, offering new ways for audiences to engage with the artworks online.
Featured artists include:
- Richard Butchins
- Leah Clements
- Joanne Coates
- Małgorzata Dawidek
- Jade de Montserrat
- Colin Hambrook
- Molly Martin
- Louise McLachlan
- Aaron McPeake
- Sam Metz
- Carrie Ravenscroft
- Christopher Samuel
- Jenni-Juulia Wallinheimo-Heimonen
The exhibition will explore how we see, hear, feel and sense our environments – bridging inner experiences with outer realities.
Aidan Moesby shares:
“Reimagining Towards New Worlds for a digital space creates another dimension through which to explore the exhibition. Exhibiting in a bespoke gallery designed to be accessible brings rich potential for audience engagement.”
dis_place: where access meets artistry
DAO is making a bold statement with dis_place: that accessibility and artistic integrity are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are two sides of the same creative coin. The platform integrates crip, sick and neuroqueer theory, creating a safe and stimulating space for artists who often find themselves marginalised by traditional galleries.
With Nathalie at the helm, the gallery will move beyond merely digitising exhibitions. Instead, it will offer bespoke commissions, research-led curation, and thematic showcases grounded in lived experiences.
dis_place and Towards New Worlds Digital launch event
To celebrate the gallery’s soft launch and the opening of Towards New Worlds Digital, DAO will host a virtual event on 21st May 2025 at 2pm.
The event will include:
- A curated tour of dis_place
- Insights from Nathalie Boobis and Aidan Moesby
- Conversations with featured artists
- Opportunities to explore the exhibition through a fully accessible digital platform
Attendance is free, and tickets can be booked online at www.disabilityarts.online/dis_place-gallery.