Xenia Concerts is committed to helping our fellow arts organizations develop a dynamic, well-considered approach to accessibility. To support the efforts of others, Xenia Concerts is pleased to provide a range of accessibility-focused consulting, coaching, and training for musicians, arts administrators, and organizations. We’ve summarized some of these services below. Please write to us at info@xeniaconcerts.com to request pricing information.
Equity Statement
Xenia Concerts is committed to an equitable approach to our consulting and training work, particularly for individuals and organizations that face systemic equity challenges. This includes disabled, Deaf, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and arts workers, and organizations with an equity-focused mission. If you or your organization would like to apply for a grant or bursary from the Xenia Concerts board of directors to supplement your accessibility training work, please let us know when you first make contact. We will ask for a brief letter outlining the nature of your request, and the board will review each request.
Accessibility Consulting and Coaching
Hourly and project-based rates available upon request
Xenia Concerts offers both individual coaching and organizational consultation services covering a range of accessibility-related topics. Long-term projects will be scoped and priced according to the needs and goals of the organization. Possible topics include:
- Preparing for your first relaxed/adaptive performance
- Creating a sensory-supportive environment for neurodiverse audiences
- Adapting musical programming for neurodiverse audiences, people with disabilities, and people with dementia
- Choosing and adapting concert venues to maximize accessibility
- Preparing accessibility aids such as Venue Guides, visual aids, and sensory aids
Workshops
Base rate $400–600 | 75 to 120 minutes
Xenia Concerts offers accessibility-focused concert design workshops for musicians and arts administrators. Rooted in the practice of Inclusive Design, these interactive, activity-based workshops encourage participants to think from the perspective of a diverse range of audience members with various accessibility needs. Workshops can be adapted for groups of 5 to 40 people. Activities may include:
- Exploration and discussion of accessibility barriers role playing and interviews
- Journey mapping
- Concert Prototyping
Presentations
Base rate $300–600 | 15 to 60 minutes
Xenia Concerts offers talks and presentations on topics such as:
- Creating an adaptive, neurodiversity-friendly concert environment
- Developing a dynamic approach to accessibility
- Building supportive frameworks for artistic co-creation
- Adapting artistic programming to support diverse sensory needs
Xenia Concerts Artist Training Program
Rates available upon request (group rates and partnerships available)
Musicians train for thousands of hours to hone their performing skills, but don’t necessarily learn about the diverse considerations that go into planning an accessible, neurodiversity-friendly performance. The Xenia Concerts Artist Training Program fills that gap. Developed in partnership with Erin Parkes, PhD., founder and Executive Director of The Lotus Centre for Special Music Education, 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.
The training program includes:
- 3.5 hours of pre-recorded webinars
- A one-hour synchronous discussion session with Erin Parkes, Rory McLeod, and Bruce Petherick
- A guidebook on how to design and deliver accessible, inclusive musical programming
- Support in planning your adaptive concert program
Participants learn about:
- Barriers to Inclusion
- Language and Disability
- Basics of Common Diagnoses
- Creating a Supportive Sensory Environment
- Communicating with Clarity
- The Adaptive Concert Experience
- Creative Engagement through Performance
Partnerships
Xenia Concerts frequently partners with organizations whose missions and visions align with ours to advance inclusion in the performing arts and reach new audiences across Canada. If would like to propose a partnership, please write to Executive and Artistic Director Rory McLeod at rory.mcleod@xeniaconcerts.com.
About Xenia Concerts
Xenia Concerts’ mission is to work with the neurodiversity and disability communities to design, produce, and present exceptional performing arts experiences for children, their families, and others within those communities who face systemic and social barriers to inclusion.
Xenia Concerts’ vision is to serve as Canada’s leading resource for the creation and promotion of family-friendly, accessible, and inclusive performing arts experiences for neurodiverse and disabled audiences through professional training, productions, and presentations.