Regional Gathering on Dance Education & Disability: A Practice of Belonging

Young Dance is excited to host a Regional Gathering on Dance Education and Disability: A Practice of Belonging, July 24-25, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This convening is sponsored by Art Spark Texas with financial support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Part of a national series of gatherings supported by Art Spark Texas and the NEA, this two day event will bring together dance and arts educators, presenters, and creators for workshops, panel discussions, think tanks, and a performance as we explore ways we practice belonging through inclusive dance and dance education. 

Learn more and register

Event Schedule (Saturday, July 25)

8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Check in (Concurrent)	Event registration Somatic experience (TBD)
9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Session #1	Curio Dance Launching a Dance Troupe for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Collaboration Between an Occupational Therapist, Professional Dancer, and Self-Advocate
10:15 to 10:30 a.m. Break	Short break & transition
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Session #2 (Concurrent)	Stephanie Heit Mad Conductors Kairos Alive! Kairos Alive! Dancing Heart™ Workshop: Neuro Arts and Nature
11:30 to 11:45 a.m. Break	Short break & transition
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Session #3 (Concurrent)	Scott Artley Consulting A Field Guide to Disability Models in the Wild: mental models of disability and how they shape the everyday practice of access  Feel the Beat  Body Tapping: Rhythm You Can Feel
1:15 to 2:30 p.m. Break	Lunch break; food options available at Young Dance, donations accepted
2:30 to 4:15 p.m. Session #4	Dreamstorming Access A Creative Pedagogy Centering Access and Belonging
4:15 to 4:30 p.m. Break	Short break & transition
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Session #5	Silva Laukkanen and Bradford Chin Reflection and Discussion of Next Steps
5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Closing	Soft closing, event concludes