The events of Arts Beyond Ableism centre on the theme of unlearning ableism in the arts: exploring how artists and educators can help dismantle biases against people with disabilities in the arts, education, and society. These events are organised in collaboration with the Academy of Theatre and Dance lecturate and the research group Arts Education, and are funded by the Thematic Collaborative Programme (TCP) for research of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK).
Third edition on 1 February
On Saturday, 1 February 2025, the third event in this project will take place: Dance Beyond Ableism. This event is organised in collaboration with the Academy of Theatre and Dance lectorate, the Dance Teacher Education programme, ReDiscoverMe Foundation, and Theatre Group Domino. Dance enthusiasts are invited to come together to dance, learn, and connect, moving beyond the boundaries of disability. The event promises to be unique, featuring workshops, performances, and spaces for quiet reflection and crafting. It will bring together dancers, students, teachers, researchers, arts professionals, and members of the disability justice community, both within and beyond AHK. Admission is free, but registration is required. Learn more, register now, or first read the accessibility information.
Looking back at the second edition
The second edition of this event, Arts Beyond Ableism Vol. 2, was organised in collaboration with Mediamatic on 24 October 2024. While the first edition was a large-scale event, the second edition was intentionally smaller. It welcomed both teachers and staff from the Amsterdam University of the Arts and external participants. Mediamatic contributed to the programme with two artists from their a/Artist project. This project serves as a platform for neurodivergent artists and designers to explore how we can better value the contributions of creators on the spectrum and support one another. Fashion designer Vera Lelie (BEPA) and visual translator and researcher Jenny Konrad shared their experiences as neurodivergent artists and designers. Read more here.