Europe Beyond Access (2024 - 2027)

Ten leading European performing arts institutions are joining forces to advance the work and careers of disabled artists including Deaf artists, artists with physical disabilities, sensory impairments and learning difficulties. This will be achieved trough an ambitious programme of transnational creation and circulation, artistic capacity building and institutional learning. The main goal is to foster innovation in their art forms.

Europe Beyond Access is working to embed best practices in their organisations and networks, champion the ground-breaking artistic practices of disabled artists and platform their work in mainstream institutions. Ultimately, their aim is to eliminate ableism in Europe’s cultural arena.

The project builds on the first generation of Europe Beyond Access, which was initiated by a core group of seven institutions and ran from 2018 to 2023. It internationalised disabled artists’ careers and helped them break through the glass ceiling of a sector that has a long history of ‘othering’ or excluding people who do not fit a narrow, prescribed ideal.

Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stresses the right of disabled artists to have 'the opportunity to develop and utilise their creative, artistic and intellectual potential, not only for their own benefit, but also for the enrichment of society.'

Despite the success of the first generation of Europe Beyond Access, only a very small minority of European artists are currently able to exercise this right. A landmark report commissioned by the first EBA consortium identified a lack of knowledge in the cultural sector that creates significant barriers for disabled artists and audiences. The new, expanded consortium will now draw on these insights to adapt its methodology, increase disabled leadership and maximise its impact.

From 2024 to 2027, Europe Beyond Access will:

• Commission and present dozens of new dance and theatre works created by artists with disabilities. Three major international co-productions will sit alongside nineteen other new commissioned works, and 20 presentations of existing touring works – presented across ten countries.
• Support artists with disabilities to internationalise their innovative artistic practices, and reduce the geographic and artistic isolation uniquely experienced by artists with disabilities.
• Develop tools and understanding in the wider performing arts market – sharing our belief that the European cultural sector must urgently reduce ableism
• Listen to an audio-flyer summarising the Europe Beyond Access project - especially useful for visually impaired users.

Europe Beyond Access Resources

• Case studies: A detailed look at a specific project, or organisation, with shared learning.
• Toolkits: ‘How-to’ guides and practical materials to support project delivery.
• Country profiles: Overviews of the disability arts sector in specific locations, either written by local experts or a journalist.
• Films: Explorations of innovation in the sector, including conversations with artists, investigations into new initiatives and best practice.

Irish Partner Project Arts Centre

For over 50 years, Project Arts Centre has been a home, hub and hive for adventurous artists and audiences. What began in 1966 as a small artist-led collective is now evolving into Ireland’s national centre for the contemporary arts.

Further Information

• Europe Beyond Access