Nonprofit Spotlight: Abilities Dance Boston

Nonprofit Abilities Dance Boston believes dance and art can be powerful tools to promote disability justice in Greater Boston and beyond. Since 2017, the organization has been re-imagining performance art through the lens of disability justice. It disrupts antiquated, ableist norms by creating professional opportunities for disabled and diverse artists and administrators, offering inclusive dance education, and advocating for better legal protections for disabled and diverse community members across Massachusetts.

Dancers and musicians from Abilities Dance Boston on stage at the Strand Theatre performing The Banned Ballet

What They Do

Abilities Dance Boston works at the intersection of dance and disability justice through three core program areas.

• Professional Performing Company A paid ensemble of diverse artists performs original ballet-driven works. The restaging of its Firebird Part 2 performance at Boston’s Strand Theatre in September will feature an original storyline and choreography, original and live music, animation, and paintings. Productions set a high standard for audience accessibility, integrating audio descriptions, American Sign Language, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), mask mandated performances, and more.
  

• Community Engagement The organization delivers adaptive dance education grounded in ballet for all ages – from pre-K students to elders – across schools, community centers, and public spaces to foster physical, social, emotional wellness.
  

• Civic Advocacy & Consulting Abilities Dance Boston conducts lectures and workshops on disability culture, intersectional inclusion, and spatial accessibility, and collaborates on civic art initiatives.

  
  

Their Impact

Abilities Dance Boston continues to break down physical, financial, and cultural barriers across the regional arts landscape. Each year, the organization equitably compensates dozens of disabled and non-disabled dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Its performances reach thousands of audience members in-person and virtually, while its adaptive movement classes and inclusion lectures engage students, educators, and civic leaders across Greater Boston. The organization’s work has been recognized with honors including the Mass Cultural Council UP Award for achievements in accessibility and the Boston Cultural Council Equity Award.

Abilities Dance Boston looks forward to continuing to create environments of true equity and shared creative expression, and to employ art and dance to promote disability justice in Greater Boston and beyond.

To learn more about upcoming performances, book a workshop, or support the mission of Abilities Dance Boston, visit abilitiesdanceboston.org.