We bring together experts: people with lived experience, world class artists, biomedical researchers, technologists, healthcare professionals and academics to explore ideas. These are unique opportunities for discussion and shared understanding, making bridges between the arts, science, research and healthcare sectors. Audiences are introduced to contemporary stories and research, and professionals from multiple sectors connect with the people they work to help in new and unusual ways.

Sound Voice invites individuals and teams to think further, listen deeply, be playful, and imagine outside of the box. We create spaces in which people feel heard and can express themselves creatively. We use the arts to generate discussion and cultivate shared understanding, inviting deep exploration into a range of topics and research questions. We value people’s expertise and ask them to work in new ways. Everyone is equally out of their depth yet gathers fresh perspective.

A team of dynamic professional artists translate this collective research and personal narratives into exceptional works of art, working cross-discipline to give audiences multiple ways to connect to an idea. The live performance and installation work challenges audiences to think differently, seeking to raise awareness of under-represented voices and provoke change in attitude and perception.

This is the first time that opera has been used within biomedical product development. We are working closely with science and technology entrepreneurs to initiate new research directions, embedding their technology within works of art. We operate outside traditional models of the arts, social sciences and healthcare to remain flexible and responsive. Using the arts as a central catalyst for creative collaboration we advocate ways of working cross sector that place people with lived experience at the very centre.