Accessibility is key word of every attempt of inclusion. Accessibility in the performing arts means that all audiences have equal access to the final artistic product. But most of the time the intermediate of the multiple “translations” (audio description, subtitling, simple language etc) deprives the audience of experiencing directly the artistic expression. So the rising question is:“How far can an art translated be an art?” The main objective of ImPArt is to inverse the question in order to eliminate any intermediation between the artistic product & the audience. The accessibility limits turn into a field of inspiration, experimentation & innovative creation. Through skill exchange meetings, workshops, labs & creative residencies, our partnership of 4 inclusive artistic companies & 30 associated organisations, will challenge artists with & without disabilities to develop innovative pilot interdisciplinary performances that will pioneer new performing art forms, aiming to avoid any kind of intermediation in order to be accessible. These performances will be designed as flexible small-scale productions in order to be able to tour around Europe in appropriate venues & festivals & showcase the results of the project. As organisations working in the mainstream with inclusion at our heart we have demonstrated the importance of this practice, however the potential for broader development & impact is severely limited by the lack of opportunity & understanding. This is restricting the potential growth & health of the cultural sector as audiences dwindle & the arts are increasingly perceived as rarefied & limited. This project addresses the diversity of people, work & vision that is available to audiences. By diversifying who is performing on stage & what is seen we will diversify & increase our audiences to include not only members of society who have felt they have not been represented on stages across Europe but also those looking for a reinvigorated & dynamic experience.
