Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation (PAF) will present a free panel discussion on January 24, 2024 from 6-7pm at the Bayfront Community Center (803 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL). Experts in the field of arts & disability will highlight the importance of accessibility in the arts, exploring both local and national initiatives, and envisioning the future of accessible arts in our community. This event is one of several activities organized in collaboration with  Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (VWPAH). T The panel features classical violinist and PAF Artist in Residence Adrian Anantawan; Dwayne Scheuneman Founder of REVolutions Dance Tampa; author and Integrated Dance Specialist Silva Laukkanen; and Dr. Roger Ideishi, Program Director of Occupational Therapy at George Washington University. Together, this distinguished panel will define what accessibility in the arts truly entails: What does it take to create accessible programs and spaces for artists, audiences, in the years to come? This discussion will spotlight current initiatives in our community as part of “Accessibility Week” for PAF and VWPAH. On January 23, Adrian Anantawan will deliver a keynote address, highlighting his work as a Sarasota Artist in Residence, in Gainesville, FL for the Institute for Small and Rural Districts Winter Institute, an organization whose mission is to support positive outcomes for students with disabilities.  Also on January 23, REVolutions Dance will also premiere a Schooltime Performance, produced and presented by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Education & Community Engagement Department. This program, featuring dancers with and without disabilities will reach more than 2,000 local students including students from Oak Park, the Haven, and Easter Seals of Florida. The final event of “Accessibility Week” takes place on January 25, as Dr. Roger Ideishi headlines a professional development workshop for classroom teachers from 5-6pm at David Cohen Hall at the Sarasota Orchestra, exploring the multiple avenues for student engagement in the arts, focusing on reaching neurodiverse children through accessible arts practices. Classroom teachers interested in attending may register here. The panel discussion is free and open to the public and will include an audience question and answer session with panelists. Reservations are requested via EventBrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-disability-panel-discussion-tickets-784566889687?aff=oddtdtcreator.

To register click here