A forum and masterclass event to demonstrate and expand inclusive dance practice in NSW is being presented by Accessible Arts in July 2011. Leaders and innovative thinkers in dance from across the country will share knowledge, experience and skills, to inspire new directions for inclusive dance practice.
A focus on the place and practice of inclusive dance in Australia gathered a strong presence at Accessible Arts’ national conference, held in March at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
After six years of support from Accessible Arts and Sydney Dance Company, Accessible Dance classes will be managed by an independant dance practitioner with a passion for using dance and movement to work with people from all groups and backgrounds.
Natalie Hamam approached Accessible Arts during the middle of 2009 to enquire about dance companies that are accessible to people who are wheelchair users. Her and her partner Anthony Lloyd are not professional dancers, but have a passion for dance and go clubbing whenever they can.News
Modes of inclusion and a process of discovery
On Friday 8 July 2011, a diverse group of contributors passionate about supporting inclusive dance practice in NSW gathered at CarriageWorks to participate in Accessible Arts' Dance Symposium.
Input from the 44 people in attendance was informed from a range of experience, from both the Arts and Disability sectors, including choreographers, dance program facilitators from disability services, dancers with and without disability, dance practitioners from a range of studios, funding body representatives and venue presenters and producers.
A shared vision of widening the pathway to dance for people with disability through a range of strategies provided the context for the forum. A vibrant discussion delivered a focus for defining the needs of accessible dance practice in NSW. These needs encompass information creation and exchange; networking; collaborative initiatives with NSW based practitioners; and ongoing support from Ausdance and Accessible Arts.
The panel discussion was facilitated by Jeff Meiners, Lecturer of Education, Arts and Social Sciences at South Australia University. As a forerunner in dance and disability education and outreach programs, both nationally and internationally, Jeff's historical reference point supported embracing the possibilities of inclusive dance beyond barriers that have been and can continue to be overcome in new and innovative ways.
The panel discussion presented by leading figures in Australia's dance culture, delivered candid examples of how choreographers have overcome such barriers, to produce dance works in Australia and overseas inclusive of people with disability, some of award winning caliber.
Panel members included Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director Sydney Dance Company, Philip Channells, Artistic Director Restless Dance Theatre, and Tim Podesta Artistic Director dis/assemble dance project. Examples of inclusive dance from these choreographers drew on works from Candoco Dance Company in the United Kingdom, the dis/assemble dance project in regional NSW, and Restless Dance Theatre Company in South Australia.
The panel inspired a passionate response from attendees to engage, challenge and create awareness around inclusive dance practice within a professional context. This response was explored in small groups to deepen the discussion and to exchange knowledge of what is possible in a range of contexts.
Philip Channells and Kyra Kimpton, Youth Ensemble dancer with Restless Theatre, facilitated a dance masterclass that offered hands on experience of improvisation techniques to inform the beginnings of creating new work. Twenty-three people with and without disability, including dancers and community artists working in the sector, participated in the masterclass. A process of examining the experience and discussing the potential of ideas explored culminated.
"I have received a lot of positive feedback about the Symposium and this is a result of people taking the time to consider and participate in accessible methods of dance. This focus identifies access as a priority and a significant contributor to the direction of dance practice in NSW.
Throughout the forum people were engaged, challenged, advocacy and awareness achieved, and the workshop inspired innovative ways of thinking and experiencing inclusive practice within a professional context," said Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Dance Project Manager, Arts Development, Accessible Arts.
Information and feedback from the forum will be consolidated by Sarah-Vyne Vassallo and Jeff Meiners in the coming weeks and available on the Accessible Arts’ website.
View the gallery of images from the dance masterclass.
Thank you to the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and the ANZ Staff Foundation for providing generous funding for the 2011 Dance Symposium.