Extension Programme
Find out about AED’s approach to outreach and the current exciting projects to extend reach and impact.
Our Extension work is AED’s approach to outreach, named to reflect our commitment to extending both our reach and our impact.
Launched in 2025 with two exciting projects, this is an area we see growing into a vital educational pathway, creating stronger links between not only young dancers, but teachers, choreographers, festivals and the professional industry.
Paint the World with Colour
Paint the World with Colour is a collaboration with Sky Arts as part of Access All Arts and will be broadcast during Deaf Awareness Week. Spearheaded by Sue Passmore and supported by Brenda Garrett Glassman the project sees award-winning choreographer Mark Smith adapt elements of his acclaimed work Little Big Things to introduce British Sign Language to primary-aged children. The programme demonstrates how simple signs can evolve naturally into expressive dance movement.
This project is intended as a springboard for a more ambitious initiative across All England Dance, encouraging teachers to broaden their creative thinking and embrace more accessible approaches for young performers. Disability should not be viewed as a limitation, but as an opportunity to enrich creativity and artistic expression
Mark Smith Choreographer
All Embracing Dance
Exploration of Cultural Appreciation v Cultural Appreciation
All Embracing Dance is a documentary produced by Jenni Lewin Turner that explores cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation in dance. Through a series of interviews with industry professionals, the film presents compelling stories that challenge us to reflect on whether we are truly embracing everyone — and every dance style — within our sector.
Scheduled for release in late 2026, the documentary invites thoughtful discussion and aims to encourage greater awareness, respect, and inclusivity across the dance community.
