Photographer - Frédérick Duchesne, Choreographer -Estelle Clareton, Dancers- Marie-Hélène Bellavance, Annie De Pauw, Tom Casey, France Geoffroy
Expanding the Arts: Deaf and Disability Arts, Access and Equality Strategy
Equity Office, Council Secretariat and Strategic Initiatives, Canada Council for the Arts
May 30, 2012
With the Canada Council for the Arts’ publication of the Moving Forward: Strategic Plan 2008-11, disability was named as a new area of exploration within Direction 3: Equity. Soon after, the Equity Office began a series of consultations with Deaf artists and artists with disabilities and through the organization of three focus groups.
In keeping with the Council' s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusive policies it was determined that developing a Canada Council specific strategy on Deaf and disability arts was a priority. The Canada Council then created a term position of Disability Arts Officer (E. Sweeney 2010-2012) to lead the development of the strategy and provide expertise to staff across divisions. The Strategy provides definitions, background and context, including Canadian and international legislation, and information about the Canada Council’s consultation process.