Our Belief: Art is for Everyone
Access and inclusion are not add-ons — they are integral to who we are and how we work as an organisation. At TIN Arts, we believe that everyone should be able to engage with dance whenever and however they wish to.
We draw on the social model of disability, which recognises that it’s not individual impairments that exclude people, but the structures, assumptions and barriers in society. Our role is to dismantle those barriers.
How We Embed Access in Everything We Do
1. Inclusive Creative Practice
From the earliest planning stages, our projects are shaped by the needs and insights of disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled artists together. We don’t retrofit access — we build it in. This means flexibility in class structure, adapting movement where needed, multiple communication methods, sensory-aware spaces, and ongoing conversation with participants to ensure we are meeting their needs.
2. Barrier Identification & Reduction
We commit to constantly reviewing our processes and removing obstacles:
- Physical access (clear routes, accessible spaces, seating provided)
- Communication access (plain language, visual aids, captioning, BSL)
- Sensory access (quiet spaces, control over lighting/sound, breaks)
- Financial access (support funds)
- Information access (alternative formats, easy-read materials, clear signage)
In our programmes, we offer support and adjustments wherever needed — we believe that it’s our responsibility to adapt, rather than requiring participants to compromise.
3. Equal Artistic Value & Representation
All who join TIN Arts are artists first. We collaborate as equals. Our performance work, training programmes, and public presentations reflect diversity: not as an afterthought, but as a strength.
4. Listening, Learning & Evolving
Access is not static. People’s needs change. We commit to ongoing consultation with participants, carers and external feedback. We use this learning to refine practices, challenge assumptions, and grow stronger.
We also engage in sector-level conversations and partnerships — for example, through The Working Group (a coalition including TIN Arts) seeking to increase representation of disabled people in dance and the arts. Click here to find out more.
Your Voice Matters
If you have specific access needs or suggestions — whether for a workshop, show or digital content — we want to hear from you. Contact us, and we’ll work together to make it happen.