Network For Emerging Inclusive Dancers (NEID) Meeting - Gemma D’Souza, SLiDE
Online
Tuesday 19th May 2026
Join our NEID network on Zoom on Tuesday 19th May 2026
Inclusive practice: power, authorship and sustainability
The speaker:
Gemma D’Souza is a choreographer and Artistic Director of SLiDE, an inclusive dance company creating performance and participation work with learning disabled and neurodivergent emerging artists and communities. Her practice centres on co-creation and audience relationship, with touring work including Jack & Friends and interactive projects such as . She has over 15 years’ experience working across community, education and professional arts contexts nationally with partners such as A New Direction, Rural Touring Dance Initiative and Tate Modern.
The event:
This session explores what inclusive practice really means beyond access and participation, focusing on power, authorship and sustainability. Gemma will share honest reflections from her own journey as an artist and Artistic Director, including practical tools for designing work that genuinely shares power with both performers and audiences. The session will combine provocation, real-world examples and open discussion.
An additional one to one mentoring session is available with Gemma for free after the network (5-6pm). If you are interested in taking up this opportunity please indicate in the comments when you book.
Inclusive practice: power, authorship and sustainability
The speaker:
Gemma D’Souza is a choreographer and Artistic Director of SLiDE, an inclusive dance company creating performance and participation work with learning disabled and neurodivergent emerging artists and communities. Her practice centres on co-creation and audience relationship, with touring work including Jack & Friends and interactive projects such as . She has over 15 years’ experience working across community, education and professional arts contexts nationally with partners such as A New Direction, Rural Touring Dance Initiative and Tate Modern.
The event:
This session explores what inclusive practice really means beyond access and participation, focusing on power, authorship and sustainability. Gemma will share honest reflections from her own journey as an artist and Artistic Director, including practical tools for designing work that genuinely shares power with both performers and audiences. The session will combine provocation, real-world examples and open discussion.
An additional one to one mentoring session is available with Gemma for free after the network (5-6pm). If you are interested in taking up this opportunity please indicate in the comments when you book.
