The Fondazione Arturo Toscanini is currently accepting applications for the Promoting Accessible Shows (PASS) project, which aims to change the perspective and counter-represent disabilities in the performing arts.

PASS - Promote Accessible Performances is an international project, co-funded by the European Union's Creative Europe programme, which tackles the problem of the lack of engagement and visibility of artists and audiences suffering from disabilities in live performances and the performing arts. The project is coordinated by the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini (Italy) with ACCAC (Finland), En Dynamei (Greece) and Studio Citadela (Czech Republic).

Objectives

• The main objectives of the call are as follows:
  • To contribute to the development and artistic appreciation of disabled artists;
  • Revolutionising programming the performing arts by presenting world-class works on the theme of disability;
  • Increase interest in disability issues in the performing arts sector too;
  • Creating the best conditions to find, develop, produce and present the work of artists with disabilities.
• The call aims to create an opportunity for growth, comparison and professional employment to enhance the artistic talent of emerging composers with disabilities.
• The aim of this call is to select an artist or artistic collective to commission one or two original pieces for symphony orchestra (to be arranged also for chamber ensemble - instrumentation to be defined), which take into account the presence of sign language in choreographic form during the musical performance and, consequently, is capable of integrating and harmonising it.
• The pieces - which may also be produced or developed during the artistic residencies envisaged by the project in traditional and/or digital form - must be original.
• The theme is the celebration of life and the joy of living.
• The composer or artistic team identified in this call may also be asked to arrange pieces/extracts from the symphonic or traditional/folkloric repertoire. An artistic residency in Thessaloniki during the month of August 2024 may also be envisaged for the composer or part of the artistic team identified by the call.

Information on funding

• The composer or team of composers selected will be formally entrusted with the composition of a maximum of 2 pieces. musical original, to be played during 2025, with an expected remuneration of €1,500.00 (gross and including all fees and expenses).

Eligibility criteria

• The call is open to composers under the age of 35, of all genders and nationalities, and with disabilities of any kind.
• Composers under 35 with a disability of any kind who are included in artistic groups, also formed informally, can take part in the call.
• The PASS project aims to promote a radical idea of inclusion and intends to take into account the extent to which the condition of disability is closely linked to culture and context: this is why composers who define themselves as disabled can also take part in the call.
• Possession of a university degree in music and professional experience in the music sector is not compulsory but will be a preferred requirement.

For more information, visit the the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini.