Improving accessibility of the performing arts for disabled persons

In the period 2017-2020, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has developed policy in order to make the cultural sector in the Netherlands more inclusive. Specific measurements were taken to improve the accessibility of the cultural sector for disabled persons. In this section, the following measurements will be discussed: 1. The Conference on the accessibility of theatres and concert halls in the Netherlands; 2. The Agenda Inclusive Performing Arts, and 3. The research report “Unlimited experience of culture” The Conference on the accessibility of theatres and concert halls in the Netherlands In 2019, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Landelijk Kennisinstituut Cultuureducatie en Amateurkunst (National Centre of Expertise for Cultural Education and Amateur Arts, LKCA) organised a conference on the accessibility of theatres and concert halls in the Netherlands. This conference focused on three aspects of accessibility: (1) physical accessibility, (2) accessibility of websites and ticket sales and (3) accessibility of the cultural experience. During the conference, cultural institutions were asked to share knowledge, best practices and experiences with each other. One of the outcomes of this conference was that more research on the accessibility of culture is needed in order to improve the current situation. The Agenda Inclusive Performing Arts In 2020, the Agenda Inclusive Performing Arts was launched for the period of 2020-2024 in order to work on a more inclusive cultural sector. Initiated by Holland Dance and in cooperation with LKCA, The British Council, Theatres Tilburg and the Performing Arts Fund, the agenda focusses on the following specific topics, besides more general guidelines for improvement: - Education and participation: art classes are accessible to everyone; - Talent development and profession: higher educational institutes of performing arts are inclusive, and - Visibility and professionalisation: programmes of theatres are inclusive. The research report “Unlimited experience of culture” (2020) Commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, research has been conducted on the accessibility of the cultural field for disabled persons. One of the aims of this research was to discover what knowledge cultural institutions have on improving accessibility. Also, the research was conducted to visualise possible limitations for disabled persons during their visit to a museum or theatre and during participation in the cultural field. The research showed that action has been taken by several theatres and museums to improve the accessibility of their locations and content for disabled persons. For instance, there are museums that have had their staff members be trained in sign language in order to make their collections accessible to persons with a hearing impairment. Others have organised special guidance tours where visitors with a visual impairment can touch the artworks. The research also shows a lot of room for improvement, not only for disabled persons who want to visit a theatre or museum, but also who want to practice art. The research recommends that cultural institutions should work more closely together to share best practices, such as the ones mentioned above.