Course offers professional development in mixed ability
16 September 2009 Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology is offering a ten-week course for people to develop the specialist skills and knowledge required to teach, research and develop creative practice in mixed ability performing arts, thanks to Adult and Community Education professional development funding.
The course will run from 24 September to 26 November 2009, and is aimed primarily at performing arts practitioners, students or recent graduates already working in, or interested in working in, mixed ability performing arts. Other participants may include co-ordinators and teachers interested in developing programmes for disabled people, and people interested in contributing to the development of this arts practice.
Funding for this pilot project from ACE Aotearoa means that CPIT is able to offer the course free of charge to appropriate participants. Numbers are limited to 15 participants.
This initiative is the result of work already established in Christchurch by a number of organisations, including KiwiAble, Christchurch City Council, CPIT, Different Light Theatre, Jolt Dance Company and Skillwise.
The course will be facilitated by practitioners experienced in this field and fully resourced by CPIT. Tony McCaffrey will run the course but other professionals such as Lyn Cotton of Jolt Dance Company will also contributing.
“The potential in this area of intersection between performance, education and ‘disability’ is tremendously exciting and part of a global movement for change in arts practice and human rights,” Tony says. “This course is a chance to be part of a leading edge initiative coming out of Christchurch, where we should look to establish a centre of excellence in mixed ability performance, education and research.”
The aim of the pilot project is to increase the number of professionals available to work as educators in this field; establish a community of learning; and support ongoing professional development among practitioners in the field.
The course will run for ten weeks and take place once a week on Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm, with an hour’s practical and an hour’s reflection at the weekends at CPIT.
The timing is intended to allow people already employed to attend but if you are interested in the course but unable to make these times please contact and register your interest.
For more information, please contact Tony McCaffrey (E: M: 021 491 155 W: 940 8289).