In August of 2000, a group of 25 education managers, executive directors, development directors, PR/marketing managers, and house managers - all of whom were responsible for accessibility at their respective cultural arts organization - gathered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. to discuss institutional cultural arts and disability issues. While the level of experience among participants ranged from more than 20 years in the field to less than six months on the job, everyone shared one common goal: the desire to create accessible cultural arts programs that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
That initial group has now grown into a national professional network of more than 100 organizations focused on expanding the breadth and scope of accessibility services and programming across the country. At the annual conference in 2004, the group adopted the name LEAD - Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability. LEAD's work is focused on:
LEAD accomplishes its objectives through an annual conference, an active communications network, and resources generated by the LEAD network and maintained by the Kennedy Center.
In an effort to expand the LEAD network's impact, in 2005 the Kennedy Center partnered with a team of Arizona arts organizations to co-host the first regional LEAD Conference at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Mesa Arts Center. The conference was a success with 152 participants representing 109 organizations from 30 states, Puerto Rico, Australia, the UK, and Canada in attendance. To further the growth of the network, the conference will be held in a different region of the country every other year. This will provide opportunities for LEAD to focus on the unique access issues and opportunities of different geographic regions, make the conference more affordable for those in the region, and expand the network's outreach and impact on the creation of more accessible and inclusive cultural experiences.
Click here for information on the 2006 annual conference!
Resources are available upon request via email or in printed formats, including braille and large print.
Several years of continued, significant growth for the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability have demonstrated the importance of fostering and encouraging the work of visionary professionals and institutions. Become a part of this national network and join us for LEAD 2006!
"The opportunity to meet colleagues and share similar challenges provides as much professional development as the sessions themselves."-- Ruth Feldman, Yale Repertory Theatre
For additional information, please contact the Kennedy Center Accessibility Office at 202/416-8727 (voice); 202/416-8728 (TTY); 202/416-8802 (fax); or via email at access@kennedy-center.org.
The Kennedy Center’s Accessibility Programs are supported in part by:
Mike and Julie Connors
Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund
National Endowment for the Arts
The Kennedy Center Corporate Fund
U.S. Department of Education