The Engaging Students with Disability Forum is a two-day forum for teachers, arts workers and support providers. It’s all about discovering how dance, music, theatre and visual arts can unlock learning for young people.

The forum will offer teachers, families and artists practical ways to build creative skills, exchange ideas and share inspiration in order to embed creative learning in the home and classroom.

What are the details?

It’s taking place on Friday 14 September and Saturday 15 September in Sydney.

It’s a presentation of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Australia and the Sydney Opera House, and thus, it’s being held at these two venues. Specifically, it’s in the National Centre for Creative Learning at MCA on day one and the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House on day two.

What will be featured at the Engaging Students with Disability Forum?

There will be a host of not-to-be-missed events and activities. Here are but two examples:

Part of 14 September at the MCA will feature Melbourne artist Prue Stevenson. She will enact Expend, her serial performance piece, which is a powerful combination of canvas, black paint, bare feet and a black belt in Taekwondo. Utilising artistic process as a way of managing the excess energy and anxiety associated with autism, Prue will create this work on site at the MCA. Expend will quite literally kick off the day, with opportunity for observation of this high energy work in progress.

On 15 September at the Sydney Opera House, Emily Dash – who, we might add, is an Accessible Arts Advisor – will present a keynote address. Using concrete examples from personal experience and her journey as an artist, writer and performer with disability, Emily will discuss the benefits of inclusive arts practice and how it can open up possibilities for empowerment.

Is there a cost?

Yes, there is a two-day package and a single-day ticket. Prices vary from $70 to $200. Morning teas and lunches are included on both days.

How can I get more information?

For more and to book, you can visit the website of the MCA or Sydney Opera House.

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Feature photo: Murmuration Dance Theatre workshop, Engaging Students with Disability Forum, 2015. Photograph: Anna Kucera

This page was first published on 24 August 2018.