FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Greece
Address
17 NIKOLAKOPOULOU STREETCountry
City
AthensMobile Phone
+306947975002Telephone
+306947975002Website
Click HereYear of Establishment
2016Contact Person1
Anna Vekiari AndreopoulouJob Title 1
Artistic Director, Dancer Co-CreatorContact Person 2
Maria PantazidouJob Title 2
Project ManagerOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Arts, Human rights, International/Cultural relations, Others, Youth and educationGeneral Information
EXIS Inclusive Dance Company is a professional non-profit dance organization based in Athens, Greece. It is dedicated to integrating disabled and non-disabled dancers through artistic expression. The organization operates with 10 part-time paid staff and 10 volunteers, relying on voluntary support for accessibility, teaching assistance, and outreach. EXIS has formed key partnerships with THEAMA – Theatre for the Disabled and ATLAS E.P. and receives funding from the Greek Ministry of Culture and the State Scholarships Foundation (EU grants). The annual budget is €6,000. Its core activities include professional dance performances, inclusive dance education, EU-funded projects, and workshops that foster inclusion in the arts.
Mission and Objectives
EXIS was founded in 2015 to address the lack of representation and opportunities for disabled dancers in the professional dance scene. The organization’s mission is to create an inclusive artistic space where every body is valued, diversity is embraced, and equal opportunities are provided in dance education and performance.
The three main objectives are:
1) Promoting Inclusive Dance: Creating performances that showcase the artistic potential of disabled and non-disabled dancers.
2) Providing Inclusive Education & Training: Operating ISON, the first inclusive performing arts school in Athens, and offering workshops.
3) Raising Awareness & Fostering Equality: Advocating for inclusion through performances, campaigns, and educational activities.
Main Projects / Activities
Main projects:
- ISON (2019 - present) – The first inclusive performing arts school in Athens, created in partnership with THEAMA. ISON offers structured education and training for disabled and non-disabled artists in contemporary dance, choreography, and theater improvisation.
- SHINE (Ongoing) – An Erasmus+ project led by EXIS that aims to equip disabled and non-disabled dance instructors with advanced skills in inclusive dance education, integrate inclusive practices into educational and community programs, and promote accessibility in the performing arts sector.
-InDance (Ongoing) – A Culture Moves Europe residency project where artists explore and develop innovative methods of inclusive dance, promoting artistic exchange and creative collaboration.
- Horror Vacui (2023) – A street performance created as part of the Erasmus+ CONTACT PROJECT, focusing on inclusion in public spaces through dance and live music, performed by both disabled and non-disabled artists.
- Day of Inclusive Co-education (2021 - present) – A school-based initiative featuring dance workshops, performances, and discussion sessions to promote accessibility, inclusive education, and social awareness.
- MANDIS BHITA - Because Human is the Answer (2018) – An international dance project bringing together Greek and French dancers to explore movement, diversity, and coexistence, emphasizing the human connection through dance.
- APOICHOS (2019) – A dance performance where disabled and non-disabled dancers engage in physical contact and improvisation, uniting their unique kinetic knowledge to create a shared artistic expression.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
EXIS can bring valuable expertise in inclusive dance and performing arts to the ALF Network by sharing its knowledge and methodologies in inclusive dance education and artistic practices. Through its workshops and training programs, EXIS can support cultural and artistic organizations within the network in developing more accessible and inclusive initiatives. Additionally, EXIS has extensive experience in organizing capacity-building programs that empower artists with and without disabilities to collaborate creatively.
Beyond training and knowledge-sharing, EXIS is eager to engage in collaborative projects with ALF members, developing transnational initiatives that promote inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in the arts. The company can also play an active role in raising awareness about the importance of equal representation of disabled artists in cultural institutions, contributing to broader advocacy campaigns within the network.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
EXIS seeks to join the ALF Network to amplify its impact and foster transnational collaboration in the field of inclusive arts. The organization believes that by becoming part of this network, it can connect with like-minded organizations across the Euro-Mediterranean region, building meaningful partnerships that promote cultural dialogue and social inclusion. Through ALF, EXIS hopes to contribute to a broader movement that values diversity and accessibility in the arts, aligning with the foundation’s mission to create a shared space of understanding and cooperation. Additionally, being part of the ALF Network will provide EXIS with access to valuable resources, funding opportunities, and capacity-building programs that can support the development of new initiatives. By exchanging best practices with other members, EXIS can further enhance its work in inclusive dance and expand its outreach. Ultimately, joining the network will allow EXIS to strengthen its advocacy efforts, grow its impact, and continue developing innovative approaches to inclusive artistic expression in Greece and beyond.