As an artist and advocate, I am dedicated to creating accessible performance art that can innovate production models to facilitate the inclusion of Disabled artists and their stories. The motto ‘nothing about us without us’ is the ethos and guiding principle for my work as a Disabled artist as someone who follows the principles of Disability Justice. I believe that disability experiences are a substantial part of our society and therefore should be reflected on stage. I hope that by exploring this process through Pollination and the creation of a case study we will be able to provide arts institutions with the tools they need to begin implementing more inclusive arts practices.
Greenhouse Arts Collective
Greenhouse Arts Collective
Planning a residency program for artists with disabilities
Level UP! Strategy Area: Pathways to Agreement
Pilot Project: Research and Planning for Pollination: a Creation Residency for Artists with Disabilities.
Project Duration: 2022/2023 season
Continuing to Implement:Yes, the collective is seeking funding to continue the residency program and plans to include an accessibility budget line in future projects.
Resources Shared: Project Field Notes, Deaf and Disability Arts Practices in Canada: Research and Resources
About Greenhouse Arts Collective
Location: Nova Scotia
Artistic Discipline: Theatre
Operating Budget: Project-based
Greenhouse Arts Collective is a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative ad-hoc collective dedicated to cultivating creativity and opportunity in the performing arts. Based in Nova Scotia, our mission is to create, develop, and produce artistic opportunities and new works that center equity-owed communities and prioritize accessibility for all.
Greenhouse Arts Collective’s Level UP! Project
Ryan Wilcox of Greenhouse Arts Collective collaborated with artists on the research and planning process for Pollination, an artist residency designed to break down barriers for Disabled artists in the performing arts. Centered on accessibility and innovation, this three-month residency provides artists with disabilities the resources, accommodations, and mentorship needed to develop their creative work. From access to private studio space and rehearsal support to collaboration with industry professionals, Pollination fosters a supportive environment where artists can thrive.
The first artist to participate in the Pollination Residency is Maeghan Taverner. Maeghan is passionate about exploring the intersection of disability aids and design technology to showcase the creativity and potential of the Disabled Community. Her artistic vision is rooted in the belief that adaptive tools and technologies are not just functional devices but extensions of creative expression, capable of transforming limitations into innovative possibilities. Through her work, Maeghan seeks to reframe disability aids—such as mobility devices and assistive technologies—as integral elements of storytelling and performance.
Project Highlights:
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- Collating sector data on disability and the arts.
- Listening to the Disabled artist community to guide the research.
- Adopting a case-by-case approach to accommodations and embracing radical accessibility.
Resources
Greenhouse Arts Collective | Project Field Notes
About This Resource Greenhouse Arts Collective shared these Project Field Notes in 2023 as part of their Level UP! Pilot Project. Their project focused on designing and planning a residency program for artists with disabilities.
Greenhouse Arts Collective | Deaf and Disability Arts Practices in Canada: Research and Resources
About This Resource Greenhouse Arts Collective developed this resource in 2023 as part of its Balancing Act Level UP! project. It includes information on the challenges faced by artists with disabilities and resources to improve accessibility for Deaf and Disabled...
More Information
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