Dancing differently?
by
Paddy Masefield OBE
Precisely because dance is the leading artform in this country for making connections between distinguished professionals, disabled and disadvantaged people and young people, it is crucial that [we continue to bring to the fore]... national example[s] of what can be achieved when disabled people are handed artistic control of their own creativity and are allowed to choreograph and manage, as much as participate and perform. By the simple act of labeling 1981
United Nations Year of Awareness of Disabled People, it became an inspiration for a new political awareness of the issues of arts and access to them for disabled people.
In the 1980's, the emergence of SHAPE movement sought to make more art accessible to more disabled people, but made the mistake of shaping the decisions on behalf of their disabled clients.
In the 1990s, the emergence of disability arts allowed disabled people to take charge of their chosen art forms, explore them and, informed by the experience of disability; to communicate them to audiences of disabled people. Now 2003 is to be the European Year of Disabled People.
Paddy Masefield OBE
The content of this site is proprietary to the Foundation for Community Dance and any access to this site
or the use of any content made by any person is expressly subject to these terms:
Unauthorised copying of any material (including artwork) on this site and the reproduction, storage,
transmission or the distribution of any content, either in whole or in part and in any medium or format,
without the prior written consent of the Foundation for Community Dance and, where appropriate, the author
or artist, is not permitted.
Please read our website terms & conditions by clicking here
Animated: Spring 2002