The Chronically ill Artists Network - CIAN (pronounced sea-ann) is a community interest company (CIC) and was formed in 2021 out of a frustration for the lack of support , awareness and opportunities for artists and arts professionals working, or unable to work in the arts with a chronic illnesses.
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The network was founded by Louise Wildish and Tilly Branson who have between them over four decades of experience working in the arts. They both have chronic illnesses and define as disabled, and created the network to better support artists and advocate for a change in perceptions and awareness of chronic illness in the arts sector.
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The network works nationally on a strategic level with organisations and individuals to advocate change through the provision of national campaigns, training, events and resources that create better understanding and ultimately opportunities for artists, producers, and arts professionals with chronic illnesses.
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The network supports the social model of disability which denotes that it is society that creates barriers for disabled people, not the individuals' impairment (as in the medical model) The social model denotes that organisations, individuals, businesses and society should be responsible in making change to ensure that disabled people have access.
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What is a chronic illness?
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A chronic illness, chronic condition or chronic disease is a long term medical condition. The NHS data model and dictionary describe it as a long term physical health condition and as a health problem that requires ongoing management over a period of years or decades, and that cannot be cured but can potentially be controlled with medication. The definition is complex in itself with many differing descriptions.
The network supports the term 'chronic illness' as a long term health condition that lasts for 3 months or more and that moderately or severely impacts on a persons quality of life. We believe that it is up to the individual to define as having a chronic illness or illnesses, and we welcome anyone who self defines as chronically ill. Examples of chronic illnesses are (but not limited to) HIV, Lupus, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, MS, Endometriosis, Cancer, Parkinson's, Fibromyalgia, Crohns, Arthritis, COPD, Heart disease, Epilepsy.
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If you are ill and you work or want to work in the arts, you are welcome!
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About
Louise Wildish
Having worked in the arts for over 30 years in various roles, Louise has had extensive experience of working with a large portfolio of organisations and individuals from across the UK arts sector and beyond.
She has written, directed and produced many small to large-scale professional and community productions in theatre, dance and film independently and for venues and organisations including Mansfield Palace Theatre, New Perspectives Theatre Company, Nottingham Playhouse, The Core, Orchestras Live, Mickael Marso Riviere/Company Decalage, and MR Promotions.
She works strategically as an arts leader and consultant with EDI specialism and inclusion embedded in her work. She was Head of Inclusion for People Dancing for almost 12 years best known for the 11 Million Reasons to Dance exhibition and film programme which toured across the UK and Internationally 2014 – 2021 and as Consultant on The Working Group’ Barriers to Progression & Employment in Dance for Disabled People research study. She is also a trustee for Second Hand Dance Company. She regularly programmes, produces and manages online and in person projects, events, symposiums, conferences and digital programmes on regional, national and international scales. She is a life coach and mentor in an out of the arts, including working for Mercury Theatre’s Mercury Creatives programme.
She is an award-winning film maker, writing, directing and producing short films both drama and documentary. Having worked with organisations including The Space, and film maker Ben Williams to create a series of shorts. She was a mentee on the BBCs Media Trust 50/50 Screenskills Reframing Disability mentoring programme.
She co-founded the Chronically ill Artists Network, an organisation which aims to raise awareness of chronic illnesses and support artists, producers and arts professionals working in the arts with a chronic illness.
Louise currently works as a freelance producer, presenter, consultant, mentor, film maker and artist. She describes herself as a silent activist and change maker, passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. Indifference interests her, injustice fires her.
Tilly Branson
Tilly Branson is a director, dramaturg, theatre-maker and creative producer with a particular interest in new writing and women's voices. In 2016 she completed a practice-based AHRC funded PhD researching the UK rural touring sector.
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Directing includes GAZE by S. L. Page (Northern Stage); Pepper and Honey by Kristina Gavran (Notnow Collective, national tours/Voila Festival); Think of England and It Is Now by Madeline Gould (Anonymous is a Woman national tours/Vault Festival); Getting Better Slowly by Nick Wood (Lincoln Drill Hall/national tours); Acting Alone by Ava Hunt (international tour); Man to Man by Manfred Karge (Mercury Theatre Colchester/Park Theatre London); Entertaining Angels by Brendan Murray (New Perspectives / national tours); End to End (The Gramophones, Edinburgh Fringe/national tours). Producing includes Mashi Theatre’s Tales of Birbal, I Dare You by Tom Powell, and shows and festivals for all female collectives Major Labia and The Party Somewhere Else.
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Tilly regularly works with writers on scripts in development and has also worked as a teacher, lecturer and workshop facilitator for schools, universities and arts organisations. Tilly has chronic illnesses and is particularly interested in making the arts and working practices accessible for people who are vulnerable and/or face barriers to taking part
CIAN is a CIC - community interest company that relies on funding and donations to deliver its supporting activities. If you would like to donate or know of a suitable funding stream to support the work of the network, please get in touch.