With Maria Vlachou

The report Time to Act: how lack of knowledge in the cultural sector creates barriers for disabled artists and audiences, commissioned by the British Council and published in November 2021 (updated in May 2023), is a good portrait of our sector at a European level. One of the flaws it points to is the lack of preparation of those who work as Producers with regard to the specific needs of Deaf and disabled artists. Apart form that, producers do not have any references and do not know how to obtain information and get better prepared. This means that they often have to learn by doing, with all the implications this has for Deaf and disabled artists, forced to work in environments that are not prepared to welcome them as any other artist.

Seeking to respond to this need, in this seminar we will address the following points:

  • The results of the Time to Act report
  • What does “accessible” mean?
  • Ableism: mentality and language
  • Deaf and disabled artists around the world
  • Concrete aspects of this work: access riders, context and workspaces, rehearsals, performances, transport, hotels, restaurants)

As part of this seminar, we will have the opportunity to listen to a recorded conversation with artists Argentina Cirillo (IT), Demy Papathanasiou (GR), Filip Pawlak (PL), Maria Oshodi (UK) and Tamás Barkó (HU). There will also be a commentary from British producer and director of Unlimited Jo Verrent.

Target audience

Producers, Deaf and disabled artists

Registration fee

Normal: €20
Students/unemployed: €15
Access Culture Members: €12
Note: Payment may be made via bank transfer or PayPal.  For payments via PayPal, a €3 fee is added to the registration fee.

Biographical note

Maria Vlachou is a consultant in Cultural Management and Communications. Founding member and Executive Director of Access Culture. Author of the books “What have we got to do with it? The political role of cultural organisations” (in Portuguese, Ed. Tigre de Papel, 2022) and “Musing on culture: Management, Communications and our Relationship with People” (Ed. Bypass, 2013), as well as of the blog Musing on Culture, where she writes about culture, cultural management and communication, audiences, access. She participated in the European project RESHAPE – Reflect, Share, Practice, Experiment, being a member of the “Arts and Citizenship” group. She was Communications Director at São Luiz Teatro Municipal (2006-2012) and Communications Manager at Pavilhão doconhecimento – Ciência Viva (2001-2006). Fellow and member of ISPA – International Society for the Performing Arts (2018, 2020). Alumna of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, 2011-2013); Master in Museology from University College London (1994), having completed internships at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology and the Natural History Museum; Bachelor in History and Archeology (University of Ioannina, 1992).