Open Dialogo

International exchange programme to support best practice in dance and Disability

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On a black background, round-edged squares in varying sizes display icons and images in a collage. Arranged around the image in a neat grid, there are four photos of dance artists from the UK and from Italy. The photos sit alongside smaller graphic icons showing the maps of Italy and the UK, outlines of Disabled people and dancers, and a megaphone, these graphics are coloured white, bright blue or black.

On a black background, round-edged squares in varying sizes display icons and images in a collage. Arranged around the image in a neat grid, there are four photos of dance artists from the UK and from Italy. The photos sit alongside smaller graphic icons showing the maps of Italy and the UK, outlines of Disabled people and dancers, and a megaphone, these graphics are coloured white, bright blue or black.

Share and learn together about best practice in international dance and Disability

Managed by Stopgap Dance Company and commissioned by Arts Council England, the Italian Ministry of Culture (The Performing Arts department), the Italian Cultural Institute of London and the British Council, Open Dialogo promotes a bilateral cultural exchange through the sharing of knowledge and experiences between Disabled and non-disabled artists, influencers, producers, and venues working in England and Italy.

Artist exchange residencies

The programme supports D/deaf and Disabled dance artists from England and Italy to travel to host organisations in the opposite country to explore Disability, dance and inclusive creativity, deepening relationships and shared understanding about dance, Disability and creative processes between the two countries.

Open Dialogo logo with a grid of residency artist and host images

Open Dialogo 3 - Residencies

Explore the artists and host organisations selected for the 2026 Open Dialogo Residencies, marking the programme’s third year of international cultural exchange between England and Italy.

The 2026 residencies will support D/deaf and Disabled dance artists to develop new work, deepen international collaboration, and share knowledge across borders through both in-person and digital residencies.

Check out the announcement
3 Disabled and non-disabled dancers support each other

Open Dialogo in Conversation

Reflecting on the power of international artistic exchange, “Disability, Dance and Inclusive Creativity” is a panel discussion bringing together artists and venues from Italy and England who participated in the Open Dialogo residency programme.

They share their experiences, what they have learned and their hopes for the future.

Watch the panel discussion on YouTube

Open Dialogo Webinars

Sharing knowledge and experiences of dance and Disability

These insightful webinars from round one of the programme in 2023 explore the relationship between dance and Disability in England and Italy, and open discussions on how dance in both countries can better include Disabled people as artists, leaders and audiences.

Dance Landscapes in Italy and England

Learn how work is funded, made, and shared in both England and Italy, and what this means in terms of inclusive practice.

Chaired by Jo Verrent (Unlimited), with panellists Laura Jones (Stopgap), Jo Royce (Arts Council England), Aristide Rontini (Independent Artist) and Donatella Ferrante (Consultant - Performing Arts Dpt, Ministry of Culture, Italy)

Watch the webinar

Rigour and Inclusion - developing Disabled dance artists

Discover training and development opportunities for Disabled dance artists as we discuss examples from TIN Arts, Stopgap Dance Company and the journey Aristide took as a Disabled dance artist in Italy. This webinar draws on lived experiences to identify barriers to progression.

Chaired by Suzie Birchwood (Independent Artist), with panellists Laura Jones (Stopgap), Aristide Rontini (Independent Artist) and Martin Wilson (TIN Arts)

Watch the webinar

Creative Access for Dance Audiences

Discover the imaginative ways in which inclusive artists have made their work accessible to Disabled audiences. The webinar also demonstrates how creative access can open a new creative frontier.

Chaired by Dalila D’Amico (Researcher), with panellists Camilla Guarino (Independent Artist), Giuseppe Comuniello (Independent Artist), Diana Anselmo (Independent Artist), Lucy Bennett and Lily Norton (Stopgap)

Watch the webinar

Disabled leadership

Join our panel of Disabled leaders to discuss why it matters to have Disabled people in leadership positions and how we can support the next generation of leaders.

Chaired by Stefania Di Paolo (Researcher), with panellists DJ Hassan and Sarah Archdeacon (Corali), Laura Jones (Stopgap), Aristide Rontini (Independent Artist) and Marina Cuollo (Independent Journalist)

Watch the webinar
If you have any questions, please contact us here
White text on black, the title reads 'Open Dialogo', and the two 'o' letters of the second word form speech bubbles. Below a subtitle reads 'A bilateral cultural exchange project for dance and disability in Italy and England. Below that are five logos: Stopgap Dance Company, Arts Council England, Italian Ministry of Culture, Italian Cultural Institute of London and the British Council.

White text on black, a title reads 'Open Dialogo', and the two 'o' letters of the second word form speech bubbles. Below a subtitle reads 'A bilateral cultural exchange project for dance and disability in Italy and England'. Below that are five logos: Stopgap Dance Company, Arts Council England, Italian Ministry of Culture, Italian Cultural Institute of London and the British Council.