Cultivating Creativity

Great performances begin long before the curtain rises. They begin with spaces where everyone can participate, contribute, and belong. This summer, the Quinte Arts Council is hosting a three-part Accessibility in the Performing Arts learning series for artists, arts organizations, volunteers, board members, and community leaders.

These free, full-day sessions are part of the Quinte Arts Council’s ongoing commitment to creating more accessible and welcoming performing arts experiences across our region. Whether your organization is just beginning its accessibility journey or building on existing work, these sessions are designed to meet participants where they are, offering practical knowledge, thoughtful discussion, and opportunities to connect with others working toward the same goal.

The sessions will be held at The Landing (75 S. Church Street, Belleville) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with lunch provided.

Session Schedule

Tuesday, July 14
Informed Indigenous Context
Participants will gain foundational knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, lived experiences, and contemporary realities. Through discussion and reflection, the session explores the impacts of colonization, the importance of relationship-building, and approaches to creating respectful, informed, and inclusive arts and community spaces.

Tuesday, July 21
Addressing Cultural Perspectives Around Disability
This session examines how disability is understood across different cultures and communities. Participants will explore how cultural beliefs, language, and lived experience shape perspectives on disability and learn practical strategies for creating more welcoming and inclusive environments.

Tuesday, August 4
Approaches to Inclusion from an Indigenous and Disabled Lens
The final session brings together Indigenous knowledge and disability perspectives to explore inclusive practices that honour diverse ways of knowing, being, and participating. Participants will consider practical approaches that strengthen accessibility, belonging, and meaningful engagement within the performing arts.

Meet the Facilitators

Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan is Executive Director of LodgePole Arts Alliance and Founder and CEO of Inclusive Voices Inc. A respected intercultural planner, educator, sociologist, and public policy leader with Kanien’kehá (Mohawk) and British ancestry, Dr. Brennan has spent more than 30 years advancing Indigenous self-determination, reconciliation, equity, and inclusive community development. Through LodgePole Arts Alliance, she is helping build an Indigenous-led creative and cultural centre grounded in Eastern Woodland Indigenous knowledge, arts, and storytelling.

Learn more at www.lodgepolearts.ca

Rachel Marks is Executive Director of Réseau SPARC Network (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities) and one of Canada’s leading accessibility consultants in the performing arts. Drawing on extensive experience in theatre production, arts education, and disability advocacy, Rachel works with organizations across the country to remove barriers and create accessible, welcoming experiences for Deaf, Disabled, neurodiverse, and equity-deserving communities through consultation, training, and community engagement.

Learn more at www.sparcperformingarts.com and www.rachelmarks.ca

Participation is free for performing arts organizations, and staff, volunteers, board members, and artists are encouraged to attend. Organizations are welcome to send different representatives to each session, although attending all three provides the greatest opportunity to build knowledge and bring ideas back to your team.

Advance registration is requested to help us plan accommodations and lunch.
https://quinteartscouncil.org/accessibility-in-performing-arts-training-series/

We look forward to learning together as we continue building a more accessible, inclusive, and vibrant performing arts community throughout the Quinte region.

Photo by Tim Forbes