A symposium on equal access to art education – a diverse group gathered at the City Theatre 

**** Easy-to-read version below *******

Last weekend, the Iceland Academy of the Arts, in collaboration with the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, ÖBÍ Rights Association, Throskahjálp and the City Theatre, hosted a symposium entitled "Equal Access for Disabled People to Arts Studies". The symposium was held at the City Theatre and around 60 individuals attended to listen and participate in discussions about the importance of accessibility in arts studies.

The symposium was part of the collaborative project Inclusive Higher Education, funded by the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education. The program was diverse and addressed key issues such as barriers and opportunities within arts education, the fight for rights and the power of art, flexible learning, and advice to the Icelandic Institute of Arts on next steps.

Participants included disabled people with experience of the education system, artists – both disabled and non-disabled – and staff from the Icelandic Institute of the Arts.

The moderators of the symposium were Hekla Björk Hólmarsdóttir, advisor to the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education and adjunct professor at the University of Iceland, and Þóra Einarsdóttir, vice-rector for studies and teaching at the University of Iceland.

Among those who spoke were:

• Dagbjört Andrésdóttir, singer and activist
• Egill Heidar Anton Palsson, theatre director of the City Theatre
• Elizabeth Soldis Thorsteinsdottir, artist
• Fabiana Morais, spokesperson for people with disabilities at Þroskahjálp
• Hekla Björk Holmarsdottir, Adjunct Professor at the University of Iceland and Advisor to the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education
• Kolbrún Dögg Kristjánsdóttir, playwright and artist
• Kristin Eysteinsdóttir, Rector of the Iceland Academy of the Arts
• Olaf Snævar Adalsteinsson, leisure time instructor at the Other House and artist
• Thori Gunnarsson (Artist Demon), visual artist
• Representatives of the Art Industry: Elin Sigridur, María Olafsdottir, Kolbeinn Jon Magnusson, Thorir Gunnarsson, Elin Fanney Olafsdottir, Margret M. Norddahl

The program included an opening, speeches, a coffee chat, poetry readings, a discussion about artivism and the power of art, and a summary of next steps. The symposium ended with a memorable video and closing remarks from Átak.

The symposium was a success and created a platform for important and impactful discussions about how to ensure that arts education is truly accessible to all.

The message from the participants was clear: Attitudes need to change and diversity in learning needs to be expected and celebrated. Higher education in the arts should be for everyone.

Photographer: Eygló Gísladóttir

Easy-to-read version

🔹 The University of the Arts held a symposium 

This symposium was about:  

university studies for people with intellectual disabilities. 

The University of the Arts received assistance from: 

• University of Iceland (UI). 

• The University of Akureyri (HA). 

• ÖBÍ rights organization. 

• The City Theatre. 

The University of the Arts also works on projects with the University of Iceland and the University of Iceland. 

• The project is about university education for people with intellectual disabilities. 

• The Ministry of Higher Education is funding the project. 

💬 What was discussed at the seminar? 

• Why is education important? 

• Why is few disabled people at the University of the Arts? 

• What does the University of the Arts need to do to ensure that people with disabilities can attend school? 

💬 What did the participants say? 

• People need to think differently about disabled people and education. 

• Learning is better if there are all kinds of students 

• Everyone should be able to go to the University of the Arts.