Accessible Musical Instrument Collection
AMIC is an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a comprehensive, world-leading collection of accessible musical instruments, technology, and expertise. We hope that it will radically change the possibilities for Disabled musicians, enabling everyone to find the instruments and technology they need to make music.
Right now, there is no comprehensive collection of accessible musical instruments and technology anywhere in the world. There is nowhere that someone who needs an accessible instrument can go, try out what’s available, and figure out what works for them. This can be a huge, sometimes insurmountable, barrier for many Disabled people who want to make music, and we know that making music is one of the most powerful, life-enhancing and enjoyable things that human beings do.
We aim to radically change this with AMIC. Not only collecting the instruments themselves but also finding new and innovative ways to make sure people can get hold of them affordably. Incorporating everything from commercial technology to one off bespoke instruments, from accessible score reading kit, to gesture recognition gloves, and from orchestral instruments to DJ rigs, we want to make sure that everyone can make the music they want to make the way they want to make it.
AMIC will be fully online, with the collection available for anyone anywhere to explore. We aim to include as much information about the instruments as possible - far more than a photo and a tech spec. Comprehensive access information, information about the people who play them, as well as how they're used and what kind of music-making they might be suited for. We even plan to include design files, source code and building instructions when those are available so that people can make them for themselves. This will be a living collection that will change and grow over time - engaging with the community of people who use it, to share their experience and expertise in a way that the entire community can benefit from.
The world is full of amazing Disabled musicians who need more and better accessible instruments. It's also full of accessible musical instruments, created by incredibly talented and dedicated people. Sometimes it's very hard for these groups to connect. Our job is to make sure there's a place where everyone can work together, share information and make musical magic happen.
About
Our long-term vision for AMIC is to establish a fully catalogued collection of both commercially available and bespoke instruments and technology, housed in a dedicated, state-of-the-art centre.
This facility will include accessible studios, workshops, and performance spaces, designed to foster creativity and collaboration. In addition to the physical collection, we will develop an online platform that allows global access to these resources, ensuring that anyone, regardless of location, can explore and learn about the range of instruments available to the Disabled community. Once operational, AMIC will become a hub for ongoing instrument innovation - bringing together industry professionals, academics, and technologists to research, develop, and refine the next generation of accessible instruments, while working to ensure they become more widely available to musicians everywhere.As we continue to develop our long-term plans for AMIC, we are currently seeking support to realise the next phase of the project. This will focus on developing our online and physical infrastructure, deepening engagement with Disabled musicians and expanding our collection of accessible instruments.
