Μ-POWER Conference | Conference

M-POWER Festival is launched at Onassis Stegi with a conference on the here and now of art and disability. Two discussions raise issues that concern the entire field of professionals who are active on an international level, as well as in Greece. What are the challenges today, what are the conditions that ought to be tomorrow for the people of disability art, and what role needs to be filled by Europe’s cultural organizations?

Panel 1 | 16:00-17:30

Becoming an Artist: Opportunities and Challenges

Is it “Art by artists with disabilities” or is it just “Art”? Do we need/have to name it? Discussing the challenges and opportunities for artists with disabilities in a professional context in different European countries. This roundtable invites artists to share their stories and experiences aiming to map the realities of professional artists with disabilities and to delineate proposals for good practices in the field.

Moderated by:

Filip Pawlak, Τheatre and Dance Producer, Ambassador for Europe Beyond Access in Poland, Performer (Poland)
Christos Papamichael, Theatrologist, Actor, Founder Liminal (Greece)

Speakers:

Olga Dalekou, Actress (Greece)
Anna Vekiari, Artistic Director "Exis", Choreographer, Dance Educator, Dancer, Dance Therapist (Greece)
Dan Daw, Artistic Director & CEO of Dan Daw Creative Projects Ltd. (Australia)
Diana Niepce, Dancer, Choreographer, Writer (Portugal)

Panel 2 | 18:00-19:30

The Cultural Policies: Realities and Initiatives

What are the existing cultural policies in the field of arts and disabilities in Europe? This roundtable invites cultural representatives from different European countries to discuss shared shortcomings, as well as to pin down empowering initiatives in relation to the participation and leadership of disabled people in the European cultural sector.

Moderated by:

Betina Panagiotara, Dance Theorist, Researcher (Greece)

Speakers:

Anna Consolati, General Director, Oriente Occidente (Italy)
Maria Vlachou, Executive Director, Acesso Cultura (Portugal)
Monika Tsiliberdi, Head of the Directorate for the Development of Contemporary Creation, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports (Greece)
Kate Marsh, Artist, Researcher (United Kingdom)