Gloucester-based arts organisations GDance and Art Shape are joining forces to open their doors to a range of dance and arts for disabled and disadvantaged young people in the city.
The new enterprise, the Arts Inc Academy launches on Saturday, November 1 at City Works in Alfred Street, Gloucester.
Weekly sessions run from 2pm until 5pm and there is a special introductory rate of £30 for the first term of six sessions.
Participants will develop confidence and skills in dance, design and costume-making and will work towards creation of a short film.
The pilot course runs until March next year thanks to investment from Gloucestershire Community Foundation, the Tony Neather Trust and Gloucester City Council.
The Academy is designed to cater for eight to 18-year-olds with a range of disabilities but also welcomes non-disabled children and young people.
Thanks to specially trained tutors and assistants, teaching will be adapted to suit beginners as well as more experienced students.
The Arts Inc partners, GDance and Art Shape, specialise in promoting and producing inclusive dance and arts for people who face disabling barriers.
The Arts Inc Academy is being set up to enable children and young people with access needs to sustain their involvement in, and progression through, dance and the arts.
The aim is to give disabled participants the same kind of opportunities as many of their non-disabled peers.
The Academy is one of a range of projects led by the Arts Inc partners.
They have also set up a Carnival Arts Partnership and community engagement programme; run inclusive holiday clubs; delivered an Arts Inc Lab for local disabled and non-disabled emerging artists, and developed a leadership course in inclusive practice.
Course leader Ailsa Lane said that she was looking forward to running something that could have a big impact on people's lives.
"100 per cent of the hundreds of children, young people, parents, carers and education and health partners we've consulted with confirm there is a need for the Academy," she said.
"We're excited to put something in place which will accommodate the access needs of those who are currently struggling to find sustained classes through which to develop their creative arts skills."
To find out more about GDance and the work they do, visit www.gdance.co.uk
