Inclusion, Equality and Diversity
On the 20th January 2012, Scottish Dance Theatre in collaboration with the
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland hosted an international Symposium exploring Pathways into
Professional Performing Arts for Disabled People.
The Symposium was aimed at performing arts education providers/organisations, arts industry employers, disabled and non-disabled artists – from aspiring to professional, arts and education leaders working with young disabled people, policy and decision-makers in the arts and education and other interested parties keen to be involved. It examined the gaps and addressed the issues inhibiting inclusion of disabled people in the performing arts. The aim is to stimulate a shift in thinking within the sector and to move from a place of awareness to a place of action, increasing the number of disabled people involved in the arts.
The Symposium was chaired by multi-disciplinary performing artist & writer Mat Fraser and Keynote Speakers included Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company and Co-Artistic Director of the Paralympics Opening Ceremony for London 2012, Professor Jürg Koch - Dance Program, UW Seattle and Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland. There were also panel presentations by leaders in the field of arts and disability, live performances by professional disabled artists and plenty of networking opportunities.
The Symposium was aimed at performing arts education providers/organisations, arts industry employers, disabled and non-disabled artists – from aspiring to professional, arts and education leaders working with young disabled people, policy and decision-makers in the arts and education and other interested parties keen to be involved. It examined the gaps and addressed the issues inhibiting inclusion of disabled people in the performing arts. The aim is to stimulate a shift in thinking within the sector and to move from a place of awareness to a place of action, increasing the number of disabled people involved in the arts.
The Symposium was chaired by multi-disciplinary performing artist & writer Mat Fraser and Keynote Speakers included Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company and Co-Artistic Director of the Paralympics Opening Ceremony for London 2012, Professor Jürg Koch - Dance Program, UW Seattle and Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland. There were also panel presentations by leaders in the field of arts and disability, live performances by professional disabled artists and plenty of networking opportunities.
