Accessibility and the Dancemaker: Shaping a More Inclusive Future for American Concert Dance

Abstract

Is dance, as it exists now, accessible? Has dance been historically exclusive by design? And how do we make something that was meant to be exclusive, inclusive to better suit our modern-day ideals of arts access? This research is intended to identify barriers in dance performance spaces that affect individuals with cognitive and physical disability, highlight the importance of creating accessible dance spaces, and develop a solution as to what the dance maker can do to create more access for audience members with low funding and operating budgets in mind. Access is a human right and the following research is meant to illuminate the significance of access and the negative societal effects of not providing it. Art works are typically made as a response to a situation, and in concert dance, this is often a critical response to significant political, social and environmental events. Provided concert dance is a means of political and social protest, the argument that access should be given the utmost importance comes into frame. When making works that impact and involve a whole community, the community members you are speaking about should be given access to the work. This research will highlight and call to attention the lack of access audiences typically face within concert dance and what the dance maker can do to create a more accessible audience experience. In addition, this research will highlight the historical context of dance's exclusive nature and inaccessible past, and how that has informed an inaccessible present. This research will critique and shed light on accessibility in the concert dance industry and exemplify what dance makers are doing today to shape a more accessible and equitable future for dance audiences.