deLiberateARTS was founded by Evie Haynes in September 2008 following the innovation of a series of community empowerment projects and the creation of an inclusive theatre company for young people with learning disabilities. Showcasing work such as 'Goldilocks in the Forest'; which became an installation art production with pre-school children who had been deemed at risk, 'Footsteps in the Cherry Orchard'; a site specific performance with a group of teenage students who had become disengaged and 'In life and Death'; forum theatre with HIV sufferers, came the need to work more proactively in arts education rather than simply in teaching (which Evie had actively pursued since qualifying in 2003). Positive intervention became a must and with creativity as the vehicle, Evie wrote 'Stand Up' (a piece of Verbatim Theatre about experiences of discrimination in the college that she was lecturing at the time). 'Stand Up' was awarded exemplar in equality and diversity with the National Association of Colleges 2010 and has since been used as part of the Anti Hate Crime incentive with Staffordshire Police. Evie has since released 'In Another World'; Verbatim Theatre engaging women and men who have been subjected to domestic abuse, 'Being Me'; a piece of Forum Theatre based upon the experiences of families with Autism and 'The Devil's Food'; docu-theatre highlighting addiction to prescribed medication.
