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ArtsAbly
@artsably.com
15 followers 13 following 76 posts
Based in Canada, we work with performers and schools to make the arts more accessible to all.
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artsably.com
The new website of the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026, co-organized by UBC and ArtsAbly, has been launched. The program of the symposium is now published. The event is free but registration is mandatory. Visit www.musiccollectiveaccess.com for more information.
Homepage of the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026 website. The logo gives the title of the symposium in dark blue font. A picture of the venue, a building with a black roof and a circular window, and a square orange clock tower on the left side with Chinese characters.
February 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM
artsably.com
Check out the episode 55 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with Eric Whitmer, a third-year Ph.D. student in Musicology at the University of Michigan.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-55-a...

#ArtsAbly #arts #disability #accessibility #DisabilityArts
A photo of Eric Whitmer appears, a white man with short black hair wearing a blue shirt and black pants, smiling at the camera, sitting in a grey staircase close to a pile of books with an open laptop on it. The hands seem in movement as if accompanying a vivid conversation. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with Eric Whitmer, Episode 55.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 23, 2026 at 3:16 PM
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed Eric Whitmer @ewhitmer.bsky.social, a third-year Ph.D. student in Musicology at the University of Michigan.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with Eric Whitmer, Episode 55 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of Eric appears, a white man with short black hair wearing a blue shirt and black pants, smiling at the camera, sitting in a grey staircase close to a pile of books with an open laptop on it. The hands seem in movement as if accompanying a vivid conversation.
January 20, 2026 at 2:42 PM
artsably.com
Check out the episode 54 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with Robyn Rennie, a visual artist living in New Brunswick in Canada.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-54-a...

#ArtsAbly #arts #disability #accessibility #DisabilityArts #AccessibleArts #InConversationWith
A photo of Robyn Rennie appears, a white woman with medium-length black hair and black glasses, wearing a black top. Her head is slightly turned to the right. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with Robyn Rennie, Episode 54.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM
artsably.com
The Disability Screen Office recently launched the Industry Resource Hub, a brand-new, free platform to help make Canada’s screen industry more accessible and inclusive.

The link to DSO’s hub is available here: www.dso-orphe.ca/en/industry-...

#ArtsAbly #arts #disability #accessibility
The home page of the Disability Screen Office's Industry Resource Hub homepage appears, with a text that says Industry Resource Hub. The background colour is blue, with a white newspaper emoji at the top next to the text "Disability Arts & Culture."
January 15, 2026 at 3:34 PM
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed Robyn Rennie, a visual artist living in New Brunswick in Canada.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation. The podcast episode will be published on Friday.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with Robyn Rennie, Episode 54 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of Robyn appears, a white woman with medium-length black hair and black glasses, wearing a black top. Her head is slightly turned to the right.
January 13, 2026 at 3:47 PM
artsably.com
Check out the episode 53 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with seeley quest, a trans disabled environmentalist, arts and equity educator, living in Toronto in Canada.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-53-a...
A photo of seeley quest, a white androgynous trans person with short brown and silver hair and a light moustache, wearing a green scarf over a black top, and smiling at the camera. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with seeley quest, Episode 53.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed seeley quest, a trans disabled environmentalist, arts and equity educator, living in Toronto in Canada.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with seeley quest, Episode 53 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of seeley appears, a white androgynous trans person with short brown and silver hair and a light moustache, wearing a green scarf over a black top, and smiling at the camera.
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
artsably.com
The ArtsAbly team wishes you a Happy New Year 2026! We are back to the office with a new series of podcast episode. This week's guest will be announced tomorrow. Stay tuned!
The text Happy New Year in yellow and 2026 in blue on a white background. Logo of ArtsAbly at the bottom, a triangle with red, green and yellow sides with he text ArtsAbly in black.
January 5, 2026 at 5:11 PM
artsably.com
Our latest newsletter, "ArtsAbly's Bulletin," starts with an open conversation article about accessibility for singers in choirs. You will also discover five 2025 highlights, and some news about the upcoming Music and Collective Access symposium in February 2026.

tinyurl.com/artsably-dec...
ArtsAbly's logo and the text ArtsAbly's Bulletin
December 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
artsably.com
Only five days left before the submission deadline of the Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium. Don't forget to submit your abstract, and don't hesitate to share the call for papers: tinyurl.com/music-access.
December 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
artsably.com
The Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium is till open. If you have questions, don't hesitate to send an email. Don't hesitate to share the call for papers published on various platforms including ArtsAbly's website: tinyurl.com/music-access. Deadline: December 15th, 2025.
Call for papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026. The logos of UBC, ArtsAbly and Kickstart are on the top right. Submission deadline is December 15. Submissions and questions can be sent by email at musiccollectiveaccess@gmail.com. A QR Code on the bottom right redirects to the call for papers page on ArtsAbly’s website: https://tinyurl.com/music-access.
December 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
artsably.com
Don’t forget about our Call for Presentations. Presenting remotely is possible. We also welcome performers who want to talk about their work. Contact me or my colleagues if you have any questions. Looking forward to reading your submissions 🙂
artsably.com ArtsAbly @artsably.com · Nov 18
We are delighted to announce the Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium (February 27 & 28, 2026). Don't hesitate to share with your networks.

The full CfP is published on various platforms including ArtsAbly's website: www.artsably.com/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers (CfP) – Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026 – ArtsAbly
www.artsably.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:43 AM
artsably.com
We are delighted to announce the Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium (February 27 & 28, 2026). Don't hesitate to share with your networks.

The full CfP is published on various platforms including ArtsAbly's website: www.artsably.com/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers (CfP) – Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026 – ArtsAbly
www.artsably.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by ArtsAbly
dianekolin.bsky.social
Thank you to my colleague Roman Romanov for inviting me to present ArtsAbly’s public art accessibility assessment work to his students at OCAD University. I had the pleasure of giving feedback on students’ final project presentations, with conversations about the importance of accessible designs.
A student presenting her accessibility narrative for her final project. I am sitting in my wheelchair surrounded by all the students of the class. Roman is at my left, kneeling on the ground. A view on the CN Tower from a classroom window. Main entrance of OCAD university, with very colourful windows and painted surface, and its name written above the door. Three poles, one pink, one yellow and one blue, hold a black and white ceiling in front of the entrance.
November 14, 2025 at 11:18 PM
artsably.com
Artsably will be the subject of Diane Kolin (@dianekolin.bsky.social)'s talk at the AMS and SMT conference in Minneapolis, on November 8 at 12:30 pm. If you attend, come and say hello to Diane!
dianekolin.bsky.social Diane Kolin @dianekolin.bsky.social · Nov 3
Just a few days before flying to Minneapolis for the American Musicological Society conference to talk about ArtsAbly, Disability Culture and Disability Activism. My session is scheduled on Saturday, November 8 at 12:30 pm, organized by the Music and Disability Study Group @amsdismus.bsky.social.
First page of the program of my session, Musicking in Disability Community: Access Intimacy and Cultural Activism. Second page of the program presenting details about my talk, ArtsAbly and Disability Culture.
November 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
artsably.com
Congratulations to The Disability Collective for the 2025 DisCover conference! Two days of conversations about arts and disability, all the arts trade were represented. Each presentation and panel brought artists of the disability and Deaf community to discuss these important topics together.
Poster for The Disability Collective’s DIScover 2025 leadership conference on accessibility and disability inclusion in the arts. Held October 9 and 10 at Native Earth’s Aki Studio. The text reads: DisRupt, DisMantle, DisCover, a two-day leadership conference on advancing accessibility and disability inclusion in the arts. The background colour is pink, with a newspaper emoji at the top next to "Disability Arts & Culture."
October 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM
artsably.com
ArtsAbly’s Monday Highlights: You have heard their stories in the past episodes of "ArtsAbly in Conversation," but what are they doing now?

This week, we share A. Laura Brody’s activities with Opulent Mobility.
Picture of a red and yellow rose covered with dew, a work by Liane Enkelis. The text reads: Enter the Goddesses 3, opens Sunday October 5, 1 to 6 pm. Live Poetry and Tarot Reading. Pussy Power poets: Linda Kaye, Ed Burgess, Anna Broome, Richard McDowell with Natalie Fratino on bass. At the Los Angeles Makery, 260 South Los Angeles Street, 90012.
September 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
artsably.com
This week, we share Lawrence Shapiro’s new book, "The Physically Disabled Dancer and the Affirmative Model of Disability" (Routledge, 2025). Based on interviews with physically disabled dancers, choreographers and academics, it combines a wide range of perspective of disability dance.
Cover of the book showing its title "The Physically Disabled Dancer and the Affirmative Model of Disability" and a picture of a white man in a wheelchair dancing, with three different dance movements superimposed.
September 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM
artsably.com
Events like orchestral concerts are often difficult for low-vision attendees, but not at this show. It was “audio described” and included a pre-concert tactile tour facilitated by team members from the Auckland-based company Audio Described Aotearoa.

www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/3606...
A stage with a symphony orchestra and the image of a violin projected on a big screen on stage. The article title, "Sound and visions: Orchestra adds extra dimension for blind concert-goers at new show," appears. The background colour is dark orange, with a newspaper emoji at the top next to "Disability Arts & Culture."
September 9, 2025 at 7:28 PM
artsably.com
ArtsAbly’s Monday Highlights:

This week, we share Dr. Stefan Sunandan Honisch’s interview by Salli Carter in The Educator Experiences podcast. At its heart, this conversation asks educators to reflect on how we can change so that inclusivity isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation.
A poster presenting the episode, season 3 episode 2, of the Educator Experience. Title says: Accessibility isn't optional, building inclusive classrooms. The pictures of Salli Carter and Stefan Sunandan Honisch are shown under the description of the episode. More detailed description of the episode with a short summary: Dr. Stefan Sunandan Honisch Stefan brings in references from Naomi Klein's book "Doppelganger" and Daniel Heath Justice's paper "Demanding Kinder Classrooms" grounding the conversation in critical frameworks that may be new to many listeners but are transformative for teaching practice. Together, they explore: Access friction ction-how accommodating one access need can unintentionally create barriers for others; Online Spaces & Lessons from COVID-19; Reimagining teaching and learning spaces; The value of engaging deeply with disability studies as an educator.
September 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
artsably.com
Public art in the city is important access and accessibility are rarely considered for public installations. One of ArtsAbly's tasks is to work with organizations and partners to ensure art becomes accessible to all. What is your accessibility experience of public art installation in your city?
Terry Fox (We Are Shaped by the Obstacles We Face), installed in the Toronto Music Garden in Toronto. Two half bronze sculptures showing the silhouette of someone running, surrounded by grass, plants and trees of a public garden. The CN Tower and condo buildings are in the background. The sculpture of Glenn Gould installed in front of the CBC building in Toronto. Bronze sculpture of a man sitting on a bench. He wears a His legs are crossed. His hand holds the front part of the cap on his head. The Waters Guardians at Tannery Rd and Front Street East in Toronto. Giant metallic sculpture representing two characters painted in blue, in am urban park. On the ground, blue and green waves paintings represent a river. The two characters’ legs are open as if it was a bridge. People walking in the park walk between the legs. The statue of Jack Layton (Jack's Got Your Back) installed close to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in Toronto. Bronze sculpture of a man in the back of a tandem bike. The from seat welcomes people to sit. Around him, a wall on which the following sentence is written: Jack’s got your back. Stronger together, the Layton Memorial.
September 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
artsably.com
Issues raised from the 2024 concerts included not being able to see the stage, a lack of accessible toilets and cobbles and cables in the accessibility lane. Cuffe & Taylor said it wants to "improve facilities for customers with accessible requirements".

www.bbc.com/news/article...
People using wheelchairs attending a music festival. The platform for wheelchairs is very far from the stage, behind a huge crowd of able bodied attendees. The article title "Cuffe & Taylor Festival: Better concert accessibility promised after talks" appears. The background colour is dark green, with a newspaper emoji at the top next to "Disability Arts & Culture."
September 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
artsably.com
Despite its reputation for innovation, the performing arts industry is overlooking a critical form of talent: artists and professionals with accessibility needs. This article explores the barriers they face and the solutions they utilize.

www.forbes.com/sites/billsc...
Someone in a wheelchair rolling on a beige floor. The article title "The Imagination Industry Fails To Imagine Artists With Accessibility Needs" appears. The background colour is blue, with a newspaper emoji at the top next to "Disability Arts & Culture."
August 28, 2025 at 10:37 PM
artsably.com
Disability Arts Online (DAO) has unveiled dis_place, a pioneering digital gallery that breaks new ground in accessible exhibition-making. The platform reimagines how art can be experienced online prioritising accessibility.

The article is available here: criplife.co.uk/disability-a...
Promo image of digital artwork representing a pine tree, shoes and a TV screen with headphones in a virtual exhibition space. The article title "Disability Arts Online Launches dis_place: A Game-Changer For Accessible Digital Exhibitions" appears. The background colour is dark orange, with a newspaper emoji at the top next to "Disability Arts & Culture."
August 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM