Possibility Talk: Cultivating Disability in the Arts

A discussion of disability in the arts, barriers, advocacy, and the importance of elevating disability as a culture.

About this event

Workshop Description:

Singer/Songwriter and Disability Advocate Tracy Marie describes her music as her connection to community, where she has made herself known as an outspoken advocate for disability rights and strives to improve care for those with rare diseases. In this Possibility Talk, join Tracy Marie for an original song performance, followed by a candid discussion on disability in the arts, barriers, advocacy, and the importance of elevating disability as a culture.

Topics include: 

• Opening with a live musical performance
• Discussion of cultivating disability in the arts
• Examples of disability in the Arts
• Elevating artist with disabilities
• Elevating disability as a culture
• Inclusion and removal of barriers
• Importance of elevating disability in arts
• Ways to elevate disability in the arts
• Challenges faced by artists with disabilities
• Professional opportunities
• Overview of RAMPD (recording artists and music professionals with disabilities)
• Review resources for disabled artists

About Tracy: 

Cleveland Singer/Songwriter, Tracy Marie has written hundreds of songs, released 6 albums, and has performed professionally for more than 20 years in the Rock, Blues and Folk scene.. Her performances have included venues from nursing homes to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and back home at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where she received a nomination for “Rock Hall Riot Girl” in 2008.. In addition to performing, Tracy has been the director of the Breastfest Cleveland, an annual music festival benefiting breast cancer patients and families and going on it’s 22nd year featuring bands from the north coast.

Tracy herself was diagnosed with a rare condition called Morquio Syndrome, a type of skeletal dysplasia caused by a missing enzyme. Still, she continues to write, record and perform her music despite her physical challenges, During the pandemic, Tracy Marie recorded and released a new album entitled, “A Dark Place” produced by chart topping producer, Jim Wirt (Fiona Apple, Incubus). The album went worldwide June 18, 2021 with a music video and an album release concert in August of 2021 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio. 

To request accommodations for this event, please contact Megan@ArtPossibleOhio.org by September 6th. 

Tracy Marie’s latest lyrics video can be found at the link below. The song, The Highway, is from her first album, released in September of 2000.

Tracy’s latest music video from her newest record entitled “a dark place” released in June of 2021 can be found at the link below.