Europe’s largest Arts and Disability programme is Europe Beyond Access (EBA). This transnational project revolutionises Europe’s performing arts scene by supporting innovations from disabled artists in theatre & dance.

Their mission is to:

• Champion disabled artists on the international stage
• Build audiences for their work
• Develop a network of leading mainstream institutions that are committed to commissioning and presenting work by disabled artists at the highest level

EDN recommends to browse through the Europe Beyond Access website for numerous and rich resources on inclusivity in contemporary dance.

Europe Beyond Access Survey

The British Council commissioned On the Move, the international cultural mobility network, to lead a study into the level of knowledge and experience held by European cultural operators in relation to disabled artists and their works. The study will also look at the level of knowledge of ways to make performing arts programmes accessible to disabled artists and to disabled audiences.

Making dance that celebrates difference

How can we create dance and performing arts scenes that are more diverse and that support the work of disabled dancers and artists?

At the EBA lab in Maastricht (NL) with Holland Dance Festival, a diverse group of disabled dancers and performers from across Europe came together to develop new choreographic ideas and techniques. You can find out more about it in the video below.

This lab was led by UK artists Adam Benjamin and Jeanefer Jean-Charles. Featured artists in the film include Giuseppe Comuniello (Italy, Oriente Occidente), Jo Bannon (UK, British Council), Maikel Walker (The Netherlands, HDF), Yesol Kim (Sweden, Skanes Dansteater).

Interested to know more? Visit www.disabilityartsinternational.org

Slider picture: Fine Lines, Skånes Dansteater. Photo by Tilo Stengel