About T(ART)
T(ART) is a queer* not-for-profit community company specialising in accessible & inclusive cabaret, arts, & social events with a fun and campy twist! We’re proud to be a team led by trans & neurodiverse people who strive to centre marginalised identities in all we do by reclaiming space & making it ours. Our signature style is unmistakably camp, queer, & eclectic.
Creating a safe space for everyone is a core part of our philosophy. All of our events come with our safer space policy & accessibility information to ensure that people feel seen, safe, & supported. We believe in intersectionality & that queer experiences are diverse & deserve to be showcased. Most importantly, we believe that you are wonderful, powerful, & valid.
We couldn't do what we do without your support. Please donate if you're able, & help us make Oxfordshire a better place for all queer people.
*We use the word queer as an umbrella term for people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It's about rejecting society's expectations and carving out your own path. The word also describes our culture, community, and history.
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Around ten years ago in 2015, a silly little cabaret show called OxPHWOARd started. It was all about celebrating the outcasts: performers who were queer, fat, Disabled, trans, or just plain weird. The show became a haven for people who were exploring themselves, didn’t feel welcome in other spaces, or wanted something different. It became a staple of the Oxford scene, selling out shows regularly. It meant so much to people that a trans couple who had their first date at the show invited us to perform at their wedding.
The show grew, and so did other projects like The Oxfordshire Drag Collective: creating space for people to explore themselves through cabaret.
When the pandemic hit, events went quiet. People had time to reflect. A small group of queers talked about how much they missed spending time with their community, but also about issues they’d been facing at other community events. Inaccessible venues, noisy and overwhelming club nights, anti-trans sentiments. They decided to do something about it and T(ART) Productions was formed - named after Ginger Tart - OxPHWOARd creator and host.
They started with Queer Life Drawing, as a gentle space to celebrate a range of bodies, make art, and connect with each other. They also started Fruit Salad - a meetup for trans, non-binary, and intersex people. At the time there were no other meets specifically for trans people and over 40 people attended.
T(ART)’s offering grew as more people got involved - always with the same goal. To create welcoming and accessible spaces for people who may not feel welcome elsewhere. We got funding to develop and grow, and do things better.
We recently received 3-year funding from the National Lottery and are reviewing our offer. We want to make the biggest positive impact possible, and make Oxfordshire a better place for all queer people.
If you want to talk to us about what we should focus on next, please get in touch on directors@tartproductions.co.uk.