Access Arts NYC

Approaching the conversation through the lens of accessibility within the arts and education, this presentation will flow through a few key intersections, namely guidelines on how to engage differently abled learners and emerging artists, as well as necessary complications that should be present in all conversations touching upon ability, identity and creativity. Be prepared to think about and re-assess the limitations you may unknowingly possess, as well as to engage deeply with unconventional perspectives around arts + education + accessibility. 

Jonathan and Holly will be chronicling their individual and collective journeys navigating New York’s downtown dance company circuit, recounting experiences both participating in as well as auditioning for various ensembles, and the accessibility issues they have experienced, specifically tied to gender, gender expression, and bodily dissonance.

Having largely left this world, the pair will segue into a brief lecture demonstration on their work as the performance duo BREAKTIME, and how what they do together responds to and rejects the very structures they used to strive for.

They will speak individually once more on their solo pursuits: Holly on facilitating a queer, donation-based, bodywork collective, Bodies for Bodies, and Jonathan on their curatorial practice, Protean Pieces, which pairs disparate choreographers to restage their work in performer-centric, reciprocal exchange. 

They will conclude speaking on issues of audience accessibility in the context of admission, outlining various cost-friendly ticketing structures they have employed in their collective performing history. 

Q+A will be embedded throughout the talk, and illustrative images and video will be shown when applicable.