Skok čez Luno (Jump over the Moon)

Project owner: Urša Urbančič, Brezmejno gibanje / Limitless Movement

Responsible person: Urša Urbančič

2022

2,000 Euro Prize

SL

Civil Society / Social Economy

What is it about?

Skok čez Luno (SČL) is an educational art project for young people (YP), implemented in schools; it addresses inclusion through contemporary and improvisational dance by a mixed-abled artist team spending a day with the YP, designing and questioning diverse themes through movement and dialogue. The project indirectly raises awareness and acceptance of diversity among YP in Slovenian schools. Communication through body, movement and touch becomes a direct life experience that no theoretical input could achieve and that’s why the project SČL is special, different and socially innovative.

Challenge

Students in schools are rarely in contact with people with physical disabilities. This exclusion and segregation can lead to greater alienation and intolerance as they grow up. Our programme uses the power of art to achieve more tolerance and acceptance within society between communities with and without disabilities.

Idea

Jump over the Moon (“Skok čez Luno”) is a communal space for students to fight social prejudice and connect with people with physical disabilities in schools. Our programme brings together teams of pupils, teachers, and artists – both with and without disabilities – to share the experience of movement and dance. Pupils get the chance to experience that the interaction between people with different abilities can be joyful and beneficial in society.

Actors

Jump over the Moon works and brings together students, teachers and artists with and without disabilities. The project also supports students of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

Impact

Children and young people gain new perspectives on diversity. Jump over the Moon also provides space for people with disabilities to serve in public service and the arts. The programme’s engagement between pupils, teachers, and artists with diverse backgrounds and abilities also builds empathy and understanding.

Transfer

Jump over the Moon can be transferred to other contexts or locations. It can also be transferred to other countries with adaptations based on the region and its conditions. Our programme’s methods of addressing diversity and difference through art can also help teachers.

Appreciation of the Jury

Prejudices can be overcome by experiencing and embracing diversity. In this project, inclusion is practiced through dance. The realities of people with disabilities become present and intimate through movement. With the “Dance Ability” method, the project introduces an innovative approach to thinking about disability and re-creates space for social interaction. People with disabilities become experts and lead dance courses for students. As a result, the students not only benefit from working with teachers who embody what they convey; they also build empathy and social understanding.