Disabled-led arts organisation Disability Arts Online (DAO) is pleased to announce that Malcolm Kyeyune and Haneul Lee from Edinburgh are two of the aspiring arts writers who will be supported through its Diverse Critics programme this year.
Now in its third instalment, Diverse Critics is a career development programme for writers who are disabled and/or Black and people of colour (BPOC). Since 2020, it has supported the careers of 18 writers based in Scotland, with bursaries, training, mentoring and publishing opportunities. The programme aims to add to the diversity of skilled voices available to critique and comment on arts and culture in Scotland.
The other writers, selected along with Malcolm and Hanuel from a wealth of applications, are:
- Shivam Chowdhary from St. Andrews
- Michael Fellowes from Dunbar
- Fiona Moon from Glasgow
- Oren Shoesmith from Glasgow
Over the coming months, Malcolm, Hanuel and the other writers will attend workshops covering topics such as developing their writing, how to pitch and managing a portfolio career. They will also gain networking opportunities with editors to develop their contacts as arts writers.
Malcolm Kyeyune is an aspiring journalist with a keen interest in all aspects of art. A former writer and music editor for NPN zine and Seeds zine, his writing spans a broad range of topics, including social issues, arts criticism, and music and theatre reviews, among others.
Malcolm said: “I am eager to engage with audiences across various platforms and mediums, which is why I was drawn to the program’s diverse approach to journalism, particularly its inclusion of emerging forms of arts criticism such as vlogs and podcasts.”
Haneul Lee is an emerging creative and critic with a background in media sociology and community arts. Driven by a passion for accessible, inclusive storytelling, Haneul’s work often explores underrepresented voices and alternative narratives in the arts. Their recent experience spans roles from creative facilitation at Capital Theatres to communications at a disabled access charity. With a love for horror and mystery literature, particularly of the Shirley Jackson kind, Haneul is excited to broaden their critical lens and contribute fresh perspectives to Scotland’s cultural scene through the Diverse Critics Programme.
Haneul said: “As a disabled woman of colour, I joined this programme because of its commitment to intersectionality in arts journalism and criticism. My lived experience bleeds into my work, and I’m eager to learn from others with a wealth of insights into these intersections to further enrich my writing.”
Colin Hambrook, Editor at Disability Arts Online, said: “Disability Arts Online is so excited to be working with this brilliant, enthusiastic and truly diverse cohort of writers. Diverse Critics is a programme that so closely aligns with our organisational vision, mission and values. I founded Disability Arts Online as a platform for disabled artists to have their work critiqued and discussed from informed perspectives. It’s a real privilege for us to be part of these writers’ career development and to contribute to a richer and more diverse cultural conversation in Scotland and beyond. It’s also a pleasure to continue our established partnership with Creative Scotland and The Skinny on Diverse Critics. I can’t wait to see the work everyone creates.”
Disability Arts Online is an arts charity led by disabled people which publishes one of the foremost digital magazines focused on disability arts and culture. DAO brings a wealth of talent and career development expertise to the programme, having successfully run several programmes which have supported the careers of disabled writers. Disability Arts Online delivers the training and mentoring, alongside experienced co-facilitator Titilayo Farukouye (Scottish BPOC Writers Network).
The Diverse Critics programme is delivered by Disability Arts Online in partnership with The Skinny and is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
