Empower Arts 2.0 Summit – Beyond Access: Reimagining the Stage Through Disability Leadership

The National Arts Centre (NAC) in collaboration with Blurring The Boundaries Arts (BTBA), the Research Centre for Music, Sound, and Society in Canada at Carleton University, the Canadian Accessible Musical Instruments Network, and the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation invites you to Empower Arts 2.0, a public disability arts summit taking place during National Accessibility Week.

Free event with registration: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/41432

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What to expect and Schedule

• 11:30 – 12:00: Welcome and Registration (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place)
• 12:00 – 12:15: Pick-up lunches (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place)
• 12:15 – 13:00: Music and Access – a workshop led by Diane Kolin (Artistic Director ArtsAbly), focused on disability led approaches to music creation, performance, and access (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place)
• 13:00 – 13:15: Break and move to the Fourth Stage
• 13:15  – 14:15: Arts Leaders: Accessibility Initiatives in Ottawa – a leadership panel with leaders from the festival and entertainment industry, which include: Petr Cancura (Artistic and Interim Executive Director Ottawa Jazz Festival), Rachel Weldon (Director Debaser, Founder Pique Festival), Amelia Rose Griffin (Artistic Director Propeller Dance), and Julian Armour (Artistic and Executive Director Music And Beyond). These panel   discussions explore how disability leadership and accessibility are shaping the future of live performance and cultural events. (Location: Fourth Stage)
• 14:15  – 14:45: Performance (Location: Fourth Stage)
• 14:45  – 15:45: Artists’ Perspectives: An artist panel featuring individuals who bring lived experience of disability, sharing creative practice and perspectives on the barriers they encounter in the performing arts. Panel members consist of: Bruce Petherick (Piano Composer, Artistic Director White Rock City Orchestra), Diane Kolin (Singer, music instructor, Executive Director ArtsAbly), Xi Li (pianist, DMA candidate – Western University, workshop facilitator), and Lucas Haneman (guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, band leader of The Maple Blues Band). (Location: Fourth Stage)
• 15:45  – 16:15: Networking break with light refreshments (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place)
• 16:15  – 16:45: Performances (Location: Fourth Stage)
• 16:45  – 17:15: The Way Forward: a closing town hall discussion, inviting participants, artists, and leaders to reflect together, share insights, and imagine next steps for accessibility and disability leadership in the arts. (Location: Fourth Stage)
• 17:15  – 17:30: Closing Remarks (Location: Fourth Stage)