Welcome to Equity in Theatre

Gender & Disability Equity in Canada's Deaf, Mad and Disability Art Domain

There were 28 organizations in the Deaf, Mad and Disability Art domain examined for this study. Of them, 80% are female-led while only 44% are disability-led. Specific to those organizations in the domain that engage in Theatre programming, 90% are female-led while only 50% are disability-led. Gender equity in the Deaf, Mad and Disability Art domain art domain is far higher than the national average: 80% in our domain compared to only about 30% in the broader ecology. On the other hand, disability equity in the domain is not on par with the socio-political goals of the global Disability Art Movement: Only 44% of companies contributing work to this unique domain are led by established, disabled artists.

However, results of our study suggest a direct relationship between the politics of Deaf, Mad and Disability Art and the degree of equity and diversity: The more that the artistic programming aligns with the vision and goals of the global Disability Arts Movement, the higher the degree of equity contained within it: Of domain contributors that produce Deaf Art, Mad Art and/or Disability Art work, 100% are female-led and 100% are disability-led. Of domain contributors that produce Traditional Art work that is inclusive of disabled artists and participants, 63% are female-led and 63% are disability-led. Of domain contributors that produce Mixed Ability Art work that is inclusive of disabled artists and participants, 57% are female-led and 14% are disability-led.

Note:
These results are excerpted from a larger study that reports on equity and diversity in the leadership of the of Deaf, Mad and Disability Art domain contributors which have secured professional professional arts funding.

For more information or a copy of the forthcoming full study, please contact:
Michele Decottignies
The Disability Arts Alliance of Canada
c/o Stage Left Productions
michele@stage-left.org
403-829-2307