Share and learn together about best practice in international dance and disability
The England-Italy cultural exchange programme Open Dialogo will open for a second round of applications in 2024, following a successful first round in 2023.
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 facilitates a bilateral cultural exchange through the sharing of knowledge and experience between disabled and non-disabled artists, producers, and venues working in England and Italy.
This round will focus on supporting four more artist residencies for dance artists to explore disability, dance and inclusive creativity. As in the first round, the partners will select two England-based dance artists to travel to host organisations in Italy, and two Italy-based dance artists to travel to hosts in England. For 2024, the opportunity for one online-only, remote collaboration between dance artists based in the two countries will also be offered.
The application process for this round of Open Dialogo is now available to view by clicking on the button below.
The residencies can take place between September 2024 and April 2025.
Webinar series from round one
Here are some insightful Open Dialogo webinar series from round one.
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 webinarRigour 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 webinarCreative 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 webinarDisabled 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