Rise Up 2024

In May 2024, Rise Up! Festival took place in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts over the MUsic Hall and the Lemon Tree.

It was a celebration of some of the many diverse voices and visions that shape Aberdeen and Scotland’s Black and PoC creative communities for three days of art, music, and dialogue that challenged, inspired, and united.

As part of the festival there was a series of panels. You can listen back to these now below!

Art & Activism

Panel Description: Panellists explored the powerful intersection of art and social justice. Discover how artistic expression can raise awareness, catalyse change, and shape public discourse through an interactive discussion.
Host: Phoenix Archer
Panellists: Amira Al Shanti, Ade Adesina, p a t s y

Black-owned Spaces

Panel Description: Exploring the importance and impact of Black-owned creative spaces in reshaping the Scottish creative landscape. This panel discussed the challenges, opportunities, and significance of fostering inclusivity and supporting diverse voices through Black ownership in creative environments.
Host: Pete Preston
Panellists: Gidi Cowboy, Timi Adegunwa, Natasha Ishaq

Designing Inclusion

Panel Description: A conversation exploring the overlooked aspects of disability inclusion in creative communities. Creative practitioners will share insights on identifying barriers, fostering accessibility, and embracing inclusive design to inspire a more equitable future in the creative sector and prompting the question, what have we not thought about?
Panellists: Myla Corvidae, Ash Harper