Literature

Open letter to major European policymakers demands full participation of people with disabilities in the arts

OpinionResource
December 3, 2020

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020, members of the European Arts & Disability Cluster have written an open letter to multiple European policymakers to ensure the European cultural programme 2021-2027 has the full participation of people with disabilities as artists, as arts professionals and as audiences. The cluster represents multiple transnational collaborative projects and initiatives focussed on the work of professional disabled artists. The open letter is published in full below.

Installation of an inside of a church filled with ballons

European Disability Arts Festivals

ToolkitResource

This is an extensive (but not comprehensive) directory of European disability arts festivals whose remit is (primarily) to support the presentation of, and discussion about, work made by disabled artists and/or inclusive companies. This list has been compiled using desk research, recommendations from key partners and user-submitted entries. We cannot guarantee that all information will be accurate and up to date.

Seaside promenade space with five performers in the space. One wheelchair user and a group of onlookers.

Celebrating 20 years of Per.Art

Case StudyResource

Per.Art, the learning-disability theatre company based in Novi Sad, Serbia is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a programme of performances at Gallery of Matica srpska 13-15 December. Joe Turnbull spoke to Artistic Director, Saša Asentić about the company’s development over the years.

Per.Art’s Dis_Sylphide. Photograph: Anja Beutler

The late 1990s was a very turbulent time in the former Yugoslavia: the country was being torn apart, by war, secessions, NATO bombings and international sanctions. Amidst the tumult, the Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre ran a series of projects bringing arts to multiple social groups in refugee camps, hospitals, orphanages and residential homes. A young Saša Asentić was amongst the facilitators. In 1999, Asentić had a fateful meeting with a group of learning-disabled people and their parents.