Young Dance is excited to host a Regional Gathering on Dance Education and Disability: A Practice of Belonging, July 24-25 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This convening is sponsored by Art Spark Texas with financial support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Part of a national series of gatherings supported by Art Spark Texas and the NEA, this two day event will bring together dance and arts educators, presenters, and creators for workshops, panel discussions, think tanks, and a performance as we explore ways we practice belonging through inclusive dance and dance education.
Over the course of two days (July 24 and 25) we aim to:
- Celebrate the work being done that challenges norms and reimagines the field of dance to be accessible, inclusive, and evolving.
- Investigate access-centered pedagogy, practices, and policies in dance education
- Build connections to be resources, support, and uplift each other.
Belonging is an ongoing practice that we aim to cultivate over the course of the gathering. All events are free for participants. Spread the word about this regional gathering and make your plans to attend today!
In April we will issue a call for presenters. Please respond to gretchen@youngdance.org if you want to be sure to receive that information. Stay tuned for more information about programming, schedule, and lodging recommendations.
This gathering also continues Art Spark Texas’ barrier-free dance education research, launched in 2021, and follows the national hybrid convening held in San Marcos, Texas (October, 2024), focused on expanding access for people with disabilities. Learn more at: https://www.artsparkdance.org/refocusing-dance-education/.