Cultural Echoes – where motion and voice unites all abilities

Partners: This is us dance company, Randolph Matthews (Hawkhurst, England) and Fantasia gAG (Rostock, Germany)

Image © Tanz-Theater TIVI Baldur Strauß

“Through this partnership, we want to explore how inclusive dance practices can create shared spaces of care, curiosity and artistic exchange across borders. Bringing together our different communities, experiences and ways of working, we aim to learn from one another and deepen our understanding of access, participation and artistic authorship. We are interested in how movement can become a common language that values difference as a creative force, challenges isolation and builds meaningful connection. The funded activities allow us to take time for listening, experimenting and co-creating — placing trust, mutual support and embodied knowledge at the centre of our collaboration.”

This is us dance company, Randolph Matthews and Fantasia gAG

About the partners

This is us dance company
This Is Us Dance offer regular and accessible creative movement classes, in and around the West Kent area, for children and adults with additional needs. It is our safe, creative outlet that enables individuals to be seen, heard and belong. We explore the joy and creativity behind movement to build upon the fundamental cognitive, social and physical skills. Our community embraces the individual through validation and time. Even with the smallest movement of a finger, we notice it, accept it and join the individual in that place. It is our methodic layering that enables children and adults to learn and grow; gaining ownership of their movement, in turn building upon their self worth, confidence and creativity. Our sensory based, accessible approach to dance empowers these young people and supports the foundations towards achieving their aspirations - learning to be proud of the person they are. www.thisisusdance.co.uk 

Fantasia gAG
Fantasia gAG is a non-profit, inclusive cultural organisation based in Rostock (Germany). Its work is guided by the conviction that art is a human right and a catalyst for equality, empathy and community connection. Originating from community-based work with people with disabilities, Fantasia is driven by the core values of participation, equality and self-determination. We see difference not as a limitation but as a creative force that enriches collective expression. Our mission is to create spaces where every body and every voice can be seen, heard and valued through shared artistic experience in dance, circus and theatre. In recognition of its long-term contribution to inclusive culture, Fantasia gAG was recently awarded the State Cultural Prize of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Landeskulturpreis). Through projects in dance, circus and theatre, and as a partner of the Kulturhafen Rostock initiative, Fantasia brings inclusive art into public space, showing how culture can transform understanding and strengthen solidarity across communities. https://www.fantasia-rostock.de/