Chaired by Caroline Bowditch, Dance Agent for Change, Scottish Dance Theatre
Aims of Dance Agent for Change: To challenge the idea: ‘What is a dancer and who can
dance’? To increase the number of disabled people involved in dance To increase confidence of people delivering dance To break new artistic ground in dance with integration at the forefront. To map out a path for the future of integrated dance in Scotland. To be part of an integrated creative learning programme which educates, inspires, informs and expands horizons.
To have an open and frank discussion To be ‘real’ NOT just polite and PC Take the conversation to a different level Start to increase our openness and bravery to discuss these topics Begin to shift the thinking around dance and disability
Assessing Baselines and starting
points Having Aims Developing a plan to achieve these Acquiring necessary skills Monitoring and reviewing progress
Bringing new people into dance Involvement for all – what does this translate to in practice? ▪ Are we budgeting for access? ▪ Can we recognise talent in ‘different’ bodies? ▪ Are we challenging the gatekeepers that might prevent aspiration development? Front of house/back stage theory ▪ Front of House message ‘You’re welcome” ▪ Back stage message “What do we do now?”
Training providers
Staff/teacher confidence and skills? Do we have flexible, open curriculums that allow for
individuality? Workable assessment tools?
Programmers Is there work that warrants being programmed?
Choreographers/Artistic Directors Are we seeing disabled dancers auditioning for
general dance jobs or is it still a niches market?
Audiences How are audiences dealing with a changing or new
aesthetic?
Critics and Media How are we writing about ‘different’ bodies?
Disabled artists Are we ready for the dance industry?
Donald Hutera, Dance Writer Veronica Lewis, Director, London
Contemporary Dance School, The Place Claire Cunningham, Independent Dance maker and performer Luke Pell, Head of Learning and Development, Candoco and independent artist
Is the Dance industry ACTUALLY ready for Deaf and disabled dancers?
Questions/thoughts from
you!
Connect Festival, International Seminar Dance: Changing Young lives 24th March 2011, 10am‐6pm Extracts from today will be available on the SDT website www.scottishdancetheatre.com Join Facebook group: devadvocate Next Devil’s Advocate Friday 7th October 2011 ‘What are you doing to increase the aspirations of young disabled people in the arts? Pathways to the Profession symposium 19th and 20th January 2012
Our provocateurs The Connect Team at Sadlers
Wells Sarah our interpreter All of you!!