Webinar and discussion: 11am - 1:30pm | Wednesday 30 April, online via Zoom
Have you ever wondered about the barriers Disabled people experience in accessing employment and opportunities for progression in dance?
Bermuda-born, Wales-based dancer, Krystal Lowe, with feet planted wide and one hand supporting her on the ground, she arches backward over some dark, rugged rocks. Her other arm raised up as if hooked by the elbow. Above her, the grey moody sky is full of clouds. Krystal is a Black woman with short dark hair and is wearing a deep red dress that floats down in the arch created by her body, together with white converse. Credit - 11 Million Reasons to Dance: Cymru – Dancer Krystal Lowe – photographer Philip Hatcher-Moore, commissioned by People Dancing.
In September 2024, The Working Group (Candoco Dance Company, Corali, People Dancing, Stopgap Dance Company, and TIN Arts) commissioned an independent, Disabled-led research team, with funding from Arts Council England, to investigate the barriers experienced by Disabled people working in dance.
Through interviews and focus groups the research team has gathered data from over 53 Disabled people, representatives of Disabled–led and Disabled–focused organisations, and representatives from non-disabled-led National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) of Arts Council England. All dance NPOs and a sample of National Lottery Project Grant recipients were invited to contribute via a survey.
Sharing initial research findings
On 30 April, the researchers will share initial findings and insights at a live webinar. They will be joined by Arts Council England’s Cate Canniffe (Director, Dance and London) and Abid Hussain (Director, Diversity) and members of The Working Group.
Following the webinar, after a short break, there will be an online event for reaction and discussion.
The full research report and further resources will be published in May 2025.
Anyone working in dance – in any role and at any level – is invited to this webinar and discussion.
To attend the live webinar and optional discussion event, or to request a recording post event please sign up below.
Details
Wednesday 30 April, 2025
Webinar: 11am – 12.15pm
Reaction and discussion: 12.30 – 1.30pm
Online via Zoom
The Working Group
Joining together to champion Disabled people in the dance workforce.
Candoco Dance Company, Corali, People Dancing, Stopgap Dance Company & TIN Arts are co-collaborators in a shared enquiry and Working Group to challenge ourselves and others to increase and sustain the presence and representation of Disabled people in the dance workforce and its leadership.
Find out more about the collaboration