Lyric Coloratura Soprano at Freelance Opera / Concert Singer; CEO & Creative Director @formidAbility; Advocate for inclusion in the arts; BSL Level 3 learner
“If we can get a man on the moon, why can’t we get a ramp on the stage?” - Paul Nunami The first step is removing the attitudinal barriers that have prevented many in classical music and opera from recognising and removing this barrier. Yes, it means investment and brings particular challenges for historic buildings, but “If we can get a man on the moon…” And, yes, the sector is struggling with funding. But 24% of the UK population is disabled, according to government statistics: https://lnkd.in/ebB3bZX3 That’s 16.1 million people with a lot of spending power. So if we had better representation of disabled people on stage, new audiences are likely to come in and be encouraged to participate fully in the arts. “I didn’t think opera was for me, but now I want to go” - Deaf audience member at formidAbility‘s 2024 #SongInSign UK tour. Rather than thinking of disabled people as a problem to be solved and leaving us in the too-hard-basket, I’m suggesting the industry thinks of us as part of the solution. #Inclusion #Accessibility #Diversity #ClassicalMusic #Opera #TalentedAndDisabled #SocialModelOfDisability #LetsCreate
Consultant, Leader, Educator | Arts, Culture & Screen | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Disability & Accessibility | Churchill Fellow
Loving this panel conversation around music and disability at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as part of the impact campaign around the new Headliners show. Speakers include: Lucy Smith, ABC (chair) Elly-May Barnes, creative lead on Headliners Ria Andriani, ABC and opera singer Andy Donovan, Creative Australia Paul Nunarri, Inclusively Made “If we can get a man on the moon, why can’t we get a ramp onto a stage?” - Paul Nunarri ID: a darkened room with red curtain back drop, a screen onstage with Headliners image, and 5 speakers seated ok beige armchairs.
Freelance Arts Professional | Orchestral & Event Project Manager | Membership Engagement Specialist | Open to New Opportunities
1moBrilliantly put, Jo 👏