Join us this Autumn for a practice-based research & shared learning themed Inclusion in Dance Network event led in partnership with FABRIC.
The event will highlight individuals and organisations current research, approaches to practice, and shared enquiries that are active or have taken place recently from across the UK, and that support and embed the inclusion of *disabled people participating in dance activity. The sessions will consist of presentations followed by an afternoon of discussion.
The event is for anyone who works in dance and who may benefit from learning about different methodologies and approaches to inclusion in dance and or national initiatives that may inform their work or practice.
Presenters on the day include: The Working Group, FABRIC, National Youth Ballet & Parable Dance, Ruth Spencer & Jane McLean – UCLAN & Cheshire Dance and more - please find further information below.
*When using the term ‘disabled people’ we mean this to include but not be limited to, people who define as D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, or who are chronically ill, have a learning disability or live with impairments or mental health conditions. We also understand that our terminology and language may not fully represent or be the preferred descriptive definition for all individuals who define as having a disability, condition or impairment.
Cost:
- Disabled People: FREE
- Support workers to disabled people: FREE
- People Dancing Members: FREE
- Standard: £5.00.
Access
The event will have BSL interpreters in attendance and transcription and captions available. If you require support assistance please bring a support worker along free of charge.
If you have access needs or barriers to attend please book no later than 24 September so that we can aim to meet your access requirements. Bookings after this time may mean that access needs cannot be fully met. For any specific access enquiries email emma@communitydance.org.uk.
If you would like to attend but face barriers to do so, please contact us for a discussion for ways to engage.
Book your place here
Booking deadline: 5:00pm Thursday 03 October 2024.
Introduction and Welcome:
Louise Wildish – Head of Inclusion, People Dancing, Becky Bailey – Director of Engagement, FABRIC and Sophie Humphries – Engagement Producer, FABRIC.
Presenters:
The Working Group - Martin Wilson – Executive Director at TIN Arts will present on behalf of The Working Group to share information about the group, its intent, and its current research ‘Barriers to Progression & Employment in Dance’ which aims to identify the barriers that disabled people have in working and engaging in dance. Martin will share any initial findings and updates from this national research programme.
Sophie Humphries – Engagement Producer, FABRIC.
Following on from the mass participation project Critical Mass, delivered in 2022 as part of the Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival, Sophie Humphries (FABRIC Engagement Producer) will be sharing what has happened since, the learning, and the resources you can make use of. This will include The Common Ground Manual & Practical Guidance document – a useful reference and resource for those working on arts projects that embed inclusion and accessibility. She will also talk about their current legacy programme Keep Moving and upcoming events you can get involved with.
Pip Kyle – Newcastle University Business School - Dancing with Critical Resilience
This research sought to identify systemic barriers that prevent disabled people from entering, sustaining and progressing careers in the UK dance sector. It was co-designed in collaboration with Pip Kyle, Researcher and Policy Academy Fellow at Newcastle University Business School, TINARTS, Corali and Stopgap Dance Company.
Ruth Spencer & Jane McLean – UCLAN & Cheshire Dance – Wanna Dance?
Ruth and Jane share their findings and observations within their own practice based research and methodology in developing dance opportunities for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Ruth and Jane are currently working on the Wanna Dance? project with Vivo Care Choices which asks if people with PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities) would like to dance, and, if so, how that dance might be? They also host a national Dance and PMLD Practice Sharing Network. You can find out more about their work here: www.pmld-dance.org
Sarah Archdeacon, DJ Hussain – Corali Dance Company & Louise Wildish – People Dancing - Leadership in Action Learning Symposium
Sarah, DJ and Louise will share learning and findings from the Corali and People Dancing led event that took place in June 2024, with supporting partners Anjali Dance Company, DanceSyndrome, Stopgap Dance Company and TIN Arts. The Leadership in Action symposium: Advocating for learning disabled dance leaders was a day long event held in June at Attenborough Arts Centre that supports/ed learning disabled dance leaders from across the UK to come together to explore leadership, and dance together in one space. They will share some of the observations, data, learning and legacies from the day.
National Youth Ballet & Parable Dance - All In - Jo Meredith and Natasha Britton – ONLINE
NYB! All In! is a collaboration between National Youth Ballet and Parable Dance, together the companies have been exploring through creative projects and by developing a steering group, how ballet can be taught and delivered in a more inclusive way. Jo Meredith (NYB) & Natasha Britton (Parable) will share the learning from their most recent programme of activity.
Kevin Edward Turner – Company Chameleon
Kevin will share Company Chameleons project 'Movement for Mind' a schools based project funded by the Baring foundation that works with Year 9 children at risk of being referred to or are already working with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). The project directly supports struggling young people, acting as a method of early intervention and offers an alternative method of support to young people, alleviating pressure from schools, mental health services and young people alike.
Photo credit: Patrick and Jane. Photographer: Abbiegale Blake. Photo courtesy of Cheshire Dance.