Our European project ImPArt takes accessibility a step further. It becomes a source of inspiration and encourages experiments. We have set out on an expedition with international artists with and without disabilities from various backgrounds that uncovers, taps into and makes tangible the tremendous artistic potential of truly accessible art at the theoretical and practical level.
Today, accessibility in the arts usually translates as audio description, captioning or sign interpreting, which are perceived as alien elements outside the stage. The piece of art is objectified while emotional and artistic levels are neglected. Recipients with disabilities are partially deprived of the aesthetic experience and artists do not even get the chance to create accessible works of art.
ImPArt aims to find new creative ways to allow all human beings to have an equal experience of an artistic product. One question is vital in this: How can we use auxiliary means to become part of the performance, to become art themselves and to enrich the work of art through their own aesthetic possibilities? We feel accessibility gives innovative momentum to the artistic process. We believe we will find ways to make music accessible to deaf people, convey language used on stage to people with cognitive impairment or translate the artistic quality of a monologue by visualising its content. This is because we are convinced that art can be all of this: complex, subtle and accessible to all of us without compromising on quality. On the contrary, we are confident that this offers the chance to add new quality to the piece of art as well as the process.
Workshops, masterclasses, international symposia, international summits und international labs in Armenia, Germany, Greece and Italy will break new ground for inclusion in the arts. Participants include artists and experts from various backgrounds such as dance, theatre, music, video and poetry. ImPArt enables us to re-think the stage, and to experiment with thoughts and approaches. This expedition will result and find its artistic expression in interdisciplinary performances.
The performances will be presented to a large audience starting summer 2019, premiering in Athens, Greece. We will continue our tour through Germany, Italy and other European countries.
Our Project-Partner:
NCA.SMALL THEATRE (Armenien)
NCA.SMALL THEATRE is one of the most innovative theatrical companies in Armenia. Their aim is to experiment with form and content, whilst producing art that is both entertaining and accessible for a wide range of audiences. Since 2006 NCA.SMALL THEATRE has been cooperating with a number of international theatrical companies and institutions to offer joint master classes and workshops for local artists and students from various disciplines. In 2014 NCA.SMALL THEATRE established the first inclusive dance company in Armenia. The country has only recently joined the Creative Europe programme as a partner, which makes this cooperation possible.
ORIENTE OCCIDENTE (Italien)
ORIENTE OCCIDENTE was founded in 1981 and works actively to strengthen the role of contemporary dance in Italy. As one of Europe’s leading dance festivals it hosts artist residencies, seminars, lectures, workshops and exhibitions as well as performances. Seven years ago they started the programme DanceAbility with workshops and master classes. In 2016 they set-up their project “Moving Beyond Inclusion”, providing training opportunities for disabled artists. They have extensive experience of international co-commissioning, co-producing and presentation as well as a large network of partners.
Synergy of Music Theatre [SMouTh] (Griechenland)
Synergy of Music Theatre [SMouTh] was set-up in 2001 by emerging artists in the areas of theatre, music, dance and media. They offer a variety of artistic workshops for both young people and adults, including creative writing, drama, music, dance, aerial dance, and media. SMouTh creates professional and educational performances as well as cultural productions and is actively involved in several European projects and networks. SMouTh has extensive experience in creating international multidisciplinary performances with emerging artists and has a long and successful history of working in the field of artist development.
The core partners will be supported in the project by a range of affiliated organisations – committed to supporting the project aims and activities, and disseminating its results.
Coordinator: Un-Label Performing Arts Company
Non-profit supporting organisation: Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Sommertheater Pusteblume e.V.
Hosterstr. 1-5
D – 50825 Cologne
Funded by: Aktion Mensch, EU Programm Creative Europe, Fonds Soziokultur, Heidehof Stiftung, Power of the Arts, NRW Kultursekretariat Wuppertal, Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Stadt Köln Kulturamt, Kämpgen Stiftung, Annemarie und Helmut Börner Stiftung.
