Diversity
Issue 60 / November 2015
Diversity – where we are now
In this issue of JAM we look at the different ways in which arts and cultural organisations are meeting the needs and engaging with diverse audiences and visitors.
Jo Verrent from Unlimited opens the debate by considering how increasing access to the arts for disabled audiences is more than just a checklist.
By putting the needs of children with autism and their families first, Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham successfully held its first ‘relaxed’ concert. Programme Manager, Chris Proctor, describes the background, planning and outcome of this concert.
Rebbecca Conneely from Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres explains how the Young Everyman Playhouse is reaching out to young people to help nurture new talent and engage with the next generation of theatre-goers and theatre-makers.
Adam Werlinger from the charity Stagetext discusses the benefits of captioning and subtitling; from making performances accessible through to boosting search engine optimisation for online content.
In Research roundup, Heather Maitland looks at the data behind meeting the needs of diverse audiences and reflects on the practical versus hidden barriers to audience and visitor engagement.
We also introduce a new regular feature – Connect, Discover, Inspire – aimed at encouraging members to share their experiences and case studies. In this issue AMA member Kaitlyn Elphinstone from the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands shares the gallery’s creative approach to its 2014 fundraising gala.
The Middle Pages unveils AMA Bespoke a new programme of tailor-made training and professional development. The spotlight falls on Dr Debbie Potts, the AMA’s Membership Engagement Coordinator and we visit the National Football Museum for just a minute with Adam Comstive.
Any thoughts, comments or suggestions for JAM? Please email the Editor.