We Contain Multitudes

Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, We Contain Multitudes is a three-year collaborative project between DCA, Collective and Lux, working towards creating systemic change in the Scottish arts sector for disabled visual artists, arts professionals, and audiences.

Centred around research and a commissioning programme, We Contain Multitudes aims to create opportunities for meaningful organisational development and systemic change in the visual arts sector in Scotland, tackling ableism in the sector and imagining a future in which disabled artists have increased access to opportunities, are visible, and their expertise and experiences are truly valued. 

We Contain Multitudes is also importantly a learning process - acknowledging the ongoing challenges and barriers to better futures and long-term changes in the sector and that on their own, access measures are not enough to eradicate ableism. 

As part of the project in January 2026, we will open a new group show featuring work by Andrew Gannon, Daisy Lafarge, Jo Longhurst and Nnena Kalu. Across textiles, photography, sculpture and drawing, the exhibition will explore envelopment, enclosure, support, surrounding, and restriction.     

"At DCA, we've been working with Lux Scotland and Collective, on this vital new project that seeks to tackle ableism in the visual arts sector. With the support of the project manager, researcher, evaluator and steering group, we have focused on organisation-wide learning and training, artist studio visits and discussions, new commissions and exhibitions for our organisations, and a future advocacy programme to share our work. As part of this, we are particularly delighted to announce the We Contain Multitudes show at DCA from February 2026, which will feature work by Andrew Gannon, Nnena Kalu and Daisy Lafarge, as well as a new commission by Jo Longhurst."  

Beth Bate, Director of DCA