More information
Description
INSUL''Arts addressed the cultural and social isolation of Madeira, an island territory facing geographic and economic barriers due to its remoteness. Limited transport options and distance from mainland Europe restrict access to artistic opportunities, particularly for marginalised groups such as people with disabilities.
Through 31 artistic productions and cultural mediation activities across Madeira, Viseu, and Stavanger, Norway, the project engaged diverse communities, created jobs, and provided specialised training in contemporary arts. A key collaboration with Norway’s dybwikdans enhanced bilateral exchange, enabling knowledge-sharing in inclusive arts and expanding the reach of productions like OvO, which remains in international circulation.
The project strengthened Madeira’s cultural infrastructure, ensuring sustainability through continued performances, partnerships, and future funding applications. It benefited local artists, participants with and without disabilities, and broader audiences by improving access to inclusive arts, professional development, and cross-border collaborations. By redefining the island’s artistic identity and fostering international ties, INSUL’Arts ensured lasting cultural and social impact beyond its initial funding period.
Summary of project results
INSUL’Arts aimed to address several interconnected challenges faced by the Autonomous Region of Madeira, a Portuguese island territory characterised by its geographical remoteness and peripheral location relative to mainland Europe. One of the primary issues was the logistical and economic constraints inherent to island territories, particularly the limited and costly air transport options, which restricted mobility and access to cultural and artistic opportunities for the local population. This isolation not only hindered the flow of creative exchange but also exacerbated social and cultural exclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities, who often face additional barriers to participation in the arts.
Another significant challenge was the lack of a robust cultural infrastructure capable of sustaining artistic innovation and inclusivity. Madeira’s distance from decision-making centres and major cultural hubs meant that local artists and communities had fewer opportunities to engage with contemporary artistic practices or benefit from international collaborations. This limitation stifled the region’s cultural dynamism and perpetuated a sense of intellectual and creative isolation. Furthermore, the absence of specialised training programmes in inclusive arts practices left gaps in professional development for artists and educators, particularly those working with marginalised groups.
The project also sought to counteract the economic vulnerabilities of the region by creating sustainable opportunities within the cultural sector. The scarcity of direct and indirect employment in creative industries, combined with the logistical difficulties of touring productions, made it challenging for local artists to achieve national or international recognition. This economic precarity further discouraged investment in cultural initiatives, creating a cyclical problem of underdevelopment.
By working with the expertise of Dançando com a Diferença, an inclusive dance company with a strong track record, the project aimed to redefine Madeira’s artistic landscape. It addressed these challenges by promoting cultural mediation, producing interdisciplinary artistic works, and facilitating training programmes for artists and communities, including those with disabilities. The bilateral partnership with Norway’s dybwikdans played a crucial role in broadening perspectives, introducing innovative methodologies for inclusive arts, and ensuring the sustainability of outcomes through continued performances and collaborations. Ultimately, the project sought to transform Madeira’s cultural ecosystem, making it more inclusive, interconnected, and resilient to the challenges of geographical isolation.
Central to the project was the creation and presentation of 31 artistic productions and cultural mediation works across various disciplines, including dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary performances. These works were staged in multiple municipalities within Madeira, as well as in Viseu on the Portuguese mainland and Stavanger, Norway, ensuring a broad reach and engagement with diverse audiences.
A key focus of the project was fostering inclusivity through the arts, particularly for individuals with disabilities. This was achieved through participatory performances that actively involved local communities, breaking down barriers to cultural participation. The project also prioritised professional development, offering specialised training programmes for young artists, educators, and cultural practitioners. These training sessions covered contemporary artistic practices and inclusive methodologies, equipping participants with the skills to integrate accessibility into their work.
The collaboration with the Norwegian dance company dybwikdans was a significant component of the project, enhancing bilateral relations and facilitating knowledge exchange. This partnership included joint artistic creations, such as the production OvO, which was tailored for very young audiences and later incorporated into dybwikdans’ repertoire, ensuring its continued circulation beyond the project’s lifespan. Additionally, a seminar held in Stavanger showcased the inclusive working philosophy of Dançando com a Diferença, attracting international interest and leading to further professional exchanges, such as a visit by a Lithuanian artist to Madeira for an immersive learning experience.
Beyond performances and training, the project generated tangible economic benefits by creating direct and indirect employment opportunities in the cultural sector. It also strengthened Madeira’s cultural infrastructure by establishing networks with international partners, paving the way for future collaborations and funding applications. The project’s outputs included not only the artistic productions themselves but also a legacy of sustainable practices, increased visibility for inclusive arts, and a reinvigorated cultural scene in Madeira that transcended its geographical limitations. By integrating art into community life and fostering cross-border partnerships, INSUL’Arts demonstrated how creativity could serve as a catalyst for social and economic transformation in isolated regions.
INSUL’Arts achieved significant and multifaceted results that positively impacted diverse beneficiaries across cultural, social, and economic spheres. At its core, the project successfully challenged the cultural isolation of Madeira by creating 31original artistic productions and cultural mediation works spanning dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary performances. These works were presented not only across multiple municipalities in Madeira but also extended to Viseu on the Portuguese mainland and Stavanger, Norway, significantly broadening the region''s cultural reach. For local communities in Madeira, this meant unprecedented access to high-quality, inclusive artistic experiences that actively engaged participants with and without disabilities, fostering social cohesion and breaking down barriers to cultural participation.
One of the most notable artistic outcomes was the collaborative production OvO, created with Norwegian partner dybwikdans, which became part of their permanent repertoire and continues to tour internationally. This not only extended the project''s impact beyond its initial timeframe but also served as a model for inclusive artistic practices tailored to young audiences, including children as young as five years old. The project''s emphasis on professional development yielded tangible results through specialised training programmes that equipped various artists, educators, and cultural practitioners with contemporary artistic skills and inclusive methodologies. These trained professionals now form a strengthened cultural workforce in Madeira, capable of sustaining and expanding the project''s legacy.
The bilateral collaboration with Norway proved transformative, creating lasting impacts on multiple levels. The knowledge exchange with dybwikdans enhanced the technical and creative capacities of Dançando com a Diferença, while the seminar in Stavanger showcasing their inclusive methodology attracted international attention, leading to follow-up knowledge exchanges with professionals from Lithuania and potentially other countries. This international dimension not only elevated Madeira''s cultural profile but also established valuable networks for future European collaborations, with concrete plans already developing for joint funding applications.
Economically, the project generated both direct and indirect employment opportunities across technical, artistic, and hospitality sectors in Madeira, contributing to the region''s creative economy. The increased visibility and professionalisation of inclusive arts created new market opportunities for local artists and cultural workers. For participants with disabilities, the project delivered profound personal impacts through enhanced self-expression, social inclusion, and in some cases, professional artistic development. The various audiences who experienced the productions gained exposure to innovative inclusive arts that challenged perceptions about disability and artistic excellence.
At an institutional level, the project strengthened the capacity of Dançando com a Diferença as an organisation, enhancing its national and international reputation as a leader in inclusive arts. The partnerships formed during the project, particularly the ongoing relationship with dybwikdans, provide a foundation for future collaborative work. Perhaps most significantly, the project demonstrated how strategic cultural interventions can transform the dynamics of an isolated region, with its model of combining local community engagement with international artistic exchange serving as a replicable example for other peripheral territories. The sustainability of outcomes is evidenced by the continued circulation of OvO, the lasting professional relationships formed, and the enhanced cultural infrastructure in Madeira that will support future artistic initiatives. These results collectively represent a meaningful shift in both the cultural landscape of Madeira and the broader understanding of how inclusive arts can drive social and economic change in geographically challenged regions.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral partnership with Norwegian dance company dybwikdans significantly enhanced the INSUL’Arts project through artistic collaboration and knowledge exchange. Their expertise in creating performances for young audiences enriched the co-production OvO, now part of dybwikdans'' permanent repertoire, ensuring its longevity beyond the project. The Norwegian partner provided valuable training in inclusive arts methodologies, particularly for early childhood audiences, while Dançando com a Diferença shared its distinctive philosophy of disability-inclusive performance. This reciprocal learning was formalised through a seminar in Stavanger, which attracted international professionals and led to further exchanges, such as a Lithuanian artist''s residency in Madeira.The partnership amplified the project''s visibility through international performances and created networking opportunities with European cultural stakeholders. Crucially, it established a foundation for future collaborations, with both organisations actively planning joint applications for European funding. The bilateral cooperation not only strengthened the artistic quality and reach of INSUL’Arts but also ensured its sustainability through continued performances of OvO and the development of new shared initiatives. These outcomes demonstrate how donor partnerships can extend a project''s impact far beyond its original scope and geography.