In 2011, the World Health Organisation1 estimated that about 15% of the world’s population lives with some for of disability, of whom 2–4% experience significant difficulties in functioning. With the trend of an ageing population and the rapid spread of chronic diseases, the statistics is on an upward trajectory. According to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, there is an estimated 80 million people with disabilities in China in 20162. This shows the huge market potential and need in producing art that is more accessible and inclusive to the wider population in China.
From 2021 to 2022, the British Council in China commissioned Factory International to carry out a research on the training and development needs of producers working in the performing arts filed in China, in particular in the areas around training specific to international producing and accessibility in producing.
Over the course of six months, Factory International’s International Team and Access Manager, supported by researchers from the University of Manchester and British Council’s Insight Team, carried out a three-part research in China, to identify the target audiences in China of an Inclusive International Producers’ Training Programme, report on the market gap and needs, establish the desired parameters of a training programme (including content, format, duration, price points and post-training support).
Learn about the research findings from the executive summary and the full report.