Empower Arts 2.0 Summit: Beyond Access: Reimagining the Stage Through Disability Leadership

The National Arts Centre (NAC) in collaboration with Blurring The Boundaries Arts (BTBA), the Research Centre for Music, Sound, and Society in Canada at Carleton University, the Canadian Accessible Musical Instruments Network, and the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation invites you to Empower Arts 2.0, a public disability arts summit taking place during National Accessibility Week.

With the generous support of the National Arts Centre and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.

This year’s theme, Beyond Access: Reimagining the Stage Through Disability Leadership, challenges us to move beyond minimum standards of accessibility and toward bold, disability led ways of creating, producing, and experiencing the performing arts.

Empower Arts 2.0 centers the voices, creativity, and leadership of disabled artists, cultural workers, and advocates. It recognizes disability not as a limitation, but as a powerful source of innovation, artistic excellence, and leadership across the arts sector.

This event is open to the public. You do not need to work in the arts or have prior knowledge of accessibility to attend. Whether you live with a disability, are connected to disability arts, work in culture or education, or are simply curious and eager to learn — you are welcome.

What to expect and Schedule

11:30 - 12:00: Welcome and Registration (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place) 12:00 – 12:15: Pick-up lunches (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place) 12:15 – 13:00: Music and Access – a workshop led by Diane Kolin (Artistic Director ArtsAbly), focused on disability led approaches to music creation, performance, and access (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place) 13:00 – 13:15: Break and move to the Fourth Stage 13:15 – 14:15: Arts Leaders: Accessibility Initiatives in Ottawa – a leadership panel with leaders from the festival and entertainment industry, which include: Petr Cancura (Artistic and Interim Executive Director Ottawa Jazz Festival), Rachel Weldon (Director Debaser, Founder Pique Festival), Amelia Rose Griffin (Artistic Director Propeller Dance), and Julian Armour (Artistic and Executive Director Music And Beyond). These panel discussions explore how disability leadership and accessibility are shaping the future of live performance and cultural events. (Location: Fourth Stage) 14:15 – 14:45: Performance (Location: Fourth Stage) 14:45 – 15:45: Artists’ Perspectives: An artist panel featuring individuals who bring lived experience of disability, sharing creative practice and perspectives on the barriers they encounter in the performing arts. Panel members consist of: Bruce Petherick (Piano Composer, Artistic Director White Rock City Orchestra), Diane Kolin (Singer, music instructor, Executive Director ArtsAbly), Xi Li (pianist, DMA candidate – Western University, workshop facilitator), and Lucas Haneman (guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, band leader of The Maple Blues Band). (Location: Fourth Stage) 15:45 – 16:15: Networking break with light refreshments (Location: Peter A. Herrndorf Place) 16:15 – 16:45: Performances (Location: Fourth Stage) 16:45 – 17:15: The Way Forward: a closing town hall discussion, inviting participants, artists, and leaders to reflect together, share insights, and imagine next steps for accessibility and disability leadership in the arts. (Location: Fourth Stage) 17:15 – 17:30: Closing Remarks (Location: Fourth Stage)

The performances and artistic contributions challenge traditional boundaries. Performances by: Bruce Petherik, piano, Ado Nkemka, solo voice and guitar, The Blind And The Beautiful, duo (Lucas Haneman, Megan Lawrence)

This year, our panels will be moderated by Anna-Karina Tabunar (Founder Talent Untapped Group).

Accessibility and inclusion

Accessibility is a foundational part of Empower Arts 2.0.

The Empower Arts 2.0 summit is deeply committed to ensuring that every attendee can participate fully, comfortably, and with dignity. In alignment with this commitment, a comprehensive range of accessibility supports will be available throughout the event. These include:

Whemble attendant support services for individuals who require personal assistance live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for all keynote and main-stage programming audio description services and enhanced listening systems to support attendees who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or live with vision loss large print, digital, and braille program materials available upon request the Ruddy Lounge as a dedicated refresh space for visitors and guests.

Thoughtful wayfinding supports will also be in place throughout the venue to assist all attendees in navigating the space with ease and confidence.

We are honoured to welcome you and are committed to making the Empower Arts 2.0 experience accessible, affirming, and enriching for every member of our community.

We warmly invite all registrants to indicate any specific accessibility needs at the time of registration. If your requirements are not listed above, or if you have questions about the supports available, please do not hesitate to contact our organizing team directly — we are happy to work with you to ensure your full and comfortable participation in the summit. For assistance with accommodations and accessibility supports, please contact Joël Dazé at [email protected]. To join Box Office, please call: 1-844-985-2787.

Join us as we move beyond access — and reimagine the stage through disability leadership.