Pádraig Naughton became Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland in 2005.
Under his direction ADI has evolved into being the national resource and development organisation for arts and disability in Ireland. ADI works strategically in partnership with the arts sector to champion the creativity of artists with disabilities and promote inclusive experiences for audiences with disabilities. Activities include commissioning innovative collaborations, national provision of audio description and captioning for live theatre and support for artists in the development of new work through funding, residency, mentoring and training opportunities.
Pádraig holds a Degree in Craft Design Ceramics, National College of Art & Design Dublin (1993) and a PGCE in Arts & Design Teaching, Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds West Yorkshire (1998). While a student he developed a specialist interest in art and visual impairment that grew into a studio practice focusing on tactile experimental sculpture and landscape drawing. Subsequently Pádraig became Artists Manager with Equata: Disability Arts Development Agency for South West England (2003) and was nominated by Arts Council England to participate in the first Creative Cultural Leadership Programme established by Exeter University and Dartington College of Art (2004). Pádraig is the current Chair of the VSA Affiliate Network, comprising arts and disability organisations located in 37 US states, 2 Canadian provinces and 50 countries around the world.
