Europe Beyond Access (EBA), is conducting a survey on accessibility in higher performing arts education. The survey aims to understand access barriers and experiences faced by disabled students in institutions like theatre schools, dance academies, and conservatories across Creative Europe countries and the UK.
By Creatives Unite CommunityOrganiser: Europe Beyond Access
Survey Deadline: 20 March 2025
Who is it for: Disabled performing artists and professionals, higher education institutions, and performing arts organisations.
Take the survey here.
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About the Survey
Europe Beyond Access (EBA) is dedicated to breaking the glass ceilings in contemporary dance and theatre for Deaf and disabled artists. Supported by 10 European performing arts organisations and co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, EBA supports artistic leadership and promotes career development for disabled professionals in the arts.
In this context, EBA is undertaking research on the access, lack of access and experience of disabled students in higher education institutions in the performing arts in Creative Europe countries and the UK – that is, theatre schools, dance academies, conservatories, and similar institutions that provide practical, skills-based education for those seeking to enter the professional performing arts, for example as actors, dancers, technicians, directors, choreographers, producers, stage managers, lighting or costume or stage designers, or production managers. Research will also analyse what alternative educational and professional development paths have been followed by disabled people who could not access mainstream educational institutions.
Coordinated by On the Move and building upon the Time to Act research series, this initiative employs a diverse research team, comprising disabled and non-disabled members. The final report will be published on 3 December 2025, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Survey Focus Areas
The research includes three surveys designed for specific target groups. Participants can select the survey that best aligns with their experiences:
1. The first survey is addressed to disabled* Performing Artists & Culture Professionals (including those in training) – *including those with disabilities, and those who are Deaf, Neurodivergent and chronically ill – in the fields of theatre, dance, and other performing arts forms. Take the first survey here.
2. The second is addressed to higher education institutions providing tertiary/university-level education in theatre, dance, and other performing arts forms. We are seeking the opinions and experiences of individual staff members as well as formal responses from administrations. More than one response from different representatives/staff members of the same institution are acceptable. Take the second survey here.
3. The third survey is addressed to performing arts organisations involved in the creation, production, distribution or presentation of professional works. It focuses particularly on their perception of educational opportunities in this field and how these may enable or hinder careers for disabled artists and disabled professionals in the performing arts. Take the second survey here.
The survey is available in English, French, German, and Spanish. Respondents can also submit answers in their native language or via video/audio recordings. For translation coordination, please contact mobility@on-the-move.org.
For more details about the initiative visit On The Move's official website.
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Image Credit: Candoco Dance Company, Hot Mess by Theo Clinkard © Photo by: Stephen Wright Photography, 2019
