“Building the Future of Dance”
For the sixth edition of the biennial DanceAble Symposium, Holland Dance Festival invites you to a day dedicated to connection, exchange, and co-creation.
Over the years, the symposium has become a cornerstone in the cultural landscape — both nationally and internationally — attracting an ever-growing community of visitors and professionals from around the world. This edition, curated by Kimberley Harvey and Irene van Zeeland, will take place in the stunning surroundings of Amare, whose inspiring atmosphere provides the perfect setting for encounters and inspiration.
This year’s programme, moderated by Humberto Tan, brings together international, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary voices to explore how we can collectively shape an inclusive future for dance.
In recent years, the visibility of dancers with disabilities in the mainstream dance sector has grown. But does visibility automatically mean inclusion? Can the mainstream become a space where difference is artistically celebrated and valued? How can we create conditions for equity, systemic change, and artistic research that place the richness of diverse bodies, minds, and perspectives at the centre?
The DanceAble Symposium 2026 focuses on the theme Inclusive by Design – a vision that goes beyond thinking in target groups. It envisions a field where inclusivity is woven into the very fabric of dance from the very start. Through conversations, encounters, and performances, artists, researchers, and programmers from across the globe share their practices, challenge existing systems, and inspire us to look forward together.
Expect a day full of dialogue and imagination, where we dare to move beyond labels such as inclusive dance or dance & disability and ask bigger questions: What could inclusive dance become? And how can we build a sector that not only welcomes diversity but truly thrives because of it?
Holland Dance Festival is one of eleven partners in Europe Beyond Access – the world’s largest transnational initiative supporting dancers with disabilities and deaf artists to break the glass ceilings of dance and theatre. The project empowers artists to develop their practice internationally, breaking through the geographical and artistic isolation they often face. It commissions new dance and theatre works, presents numerous productions, and develops tools and knowledge to help the entire performing arts sector dismantle barriers.
Join us at DanceAble Symposium 2026 and take part in shaping the future of dance — together.
Program
10:30 – 11:00
Doors open with coffee & tea
11:00
Opening by Humberto Tan, Kimberley Harvey, Irene van Zeeland
11:15 – 11:55
Danser la Faille – Keynote speech by Magali Saby & Sylvère Lamotte (France) – spoken in French with English subtitles
11:55 – 12:10
Preface – short dance film by Madeleine Månsson (Sweden) – no language
12:10 – 13:30
Lunch break – packed lunches will be provided in the foyer
13:30 – 14:15
Round table I – Tech, AI and Robotics for accessibility – with Kim Baraka, Mark Hotting (Luxor) and Monique Rutten (HNT onbeperkt)
14:15 – 15:00
Round table II – Inclusion in the mainstream – with Roel Voorintholt (Introdans), Annie Hannauer, and Redo Ait Chitt
15:00 – 15:40
Coffee break with networking opportunity
15:40 – 16:00
Presentation ConCuerpos Netherlands – by Laisvie Ochoa and dancers
16:00 – 16:25
The state of talent development – by PodiumINC, Bas Roijen (Compagnie Tiuri) and Ingrid Stoepker (Codarts)
16:25 – 16:45
Les Chaussures Rouges – short dance film by Maylis Arrabit (France) – French spoken with English subtitles
16:45 – 17:10
Presentation Dansontmoeting '26 – by Kirsten van Tol and dancers
17:10
Closing remarks by Kimberley Harvey and Irene van Zeeland
Accessibility
The day takes place in a relaxed setting, meaning you are free to enter or leave the space, move around, or make noise at any time. The DanceAble Symposium will be interpreted in Dutch Sign Language (NGT) throughout the day. A quiet room will also be available, equipped with noise-cancelling headphones. The programme will be provided in PDF format, which can be enlarged for better readability. Assistance dogs are, of course, very welcome.
For any accessibility questions on the day itself, please approach our team members wearing an HDF logo. If you have questions beforehand, feel free to email info@holland-dance.com or call +31 (0)70 361 61 42.
