We’ve got big news at Xenia Concerts. After two and a half years of piloting our Artist Training Program with over 100 artists, we are now ready to offer it to musicians around the world!
We started this project for one simple reason: they don’t teach this stuff in music school. Musicians train for thousands of hours to hone their craft, but don’t necessarily learn about the diverse considerations that go into planning an accessible, neurodiversity-friendly performance. We are filling that gap.
The training helps artists understand a diverse spectrum of abilities and sensory experiences so that they can design events that are inclusive and welcoming for neurodiverse audiences. Our long-term vision is to help artists and arts organizations across Canada make their concert experiences more neurodiversity- and disability-friendly.
Program Overview:
-3.5 hours of pre-recorded webinars, with reflection questions for each of the 7 modules
-A one-hour synchronous discussion session with Erin Parkes, Kaylce Carter, Rory McLeod, and Bruce Petherick
-A guidebook on how to design and deliver accessible, inclusive musical programming
-Support in planning your own adaptive concert program
Artists learn about…
Barriers to Inclusion: Challenges that prevent or dissuade participation in music performance for neurodiverse populations and those with disabilities, including physical, sensory, geographic, attitudinal, and financial barriers.
Language and Disability: Exploring various models of disability; understanding the importance of language use in the disability community; how to approach language issues with respect.
Basics of Common Diagnoses: Outline of the characteristics of diagnoses through a strengths-based lens, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, FASD, and more.
Creating a Supportive Sensory Environment: Understanding differences in sensory processing for neurodiverse populations; adaptive strategies to support diverse sensory needs in the environment and concert program.
Communicating with Clarity: Discussing both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to engage concertgoers with varying communication support needs.
The Adaptive Concert Experience: What to expect from the audience; managing the unexpected; balancing structure and flexibility.
Creative Engagement through Performance: Ways in which performers can engage with audiences with diverse needs through adaptive interactive activities.
Special thanks to those who helped develop, fund, and deliver this program: Erin Parkes, Bruce Petherick, Kaylce Carter, and TO Live
To learn more or register, visit https://xenia-concerts.learnworlds.com/course/xenia-artist-training-program