Copyright & Usage Policy

Signdance Collective • Signdance Europe • Znakovni Ples

Introduction

Signdance Collective (UK), Signdance Europe (EU), and Znakovni Ples (Croatia) form The Signdance Group, an international network dedicated to the creation, performance, and preservation of signdance theatre.

Signdance theatre is a pioneering art form created and developed by
David Bower and Maria De Graal (Isolte Avila).
Their work established a unique performance language blending sign languages, dance, theatre, and music into a distinct, internationally recognised artistic discipline.

This policy outlines the rights, protections, and conditions governing the use of all artistic materials associated with The Signdance Group.

1. Copyright Ownership

All artistic, choreographic, written, filmed, devised, and archival materials produced by:

• Signdance Collective

• Signdance Europe

• Znakovni Ples

are protected under international copyright law.

This includes:

• Performances and choreographic scores

• Scripts, dramaturgy, and written materials

• Sign‑language theatre vocabularies and movement scores

• Music, sound design, and multimedia

• Photographs, videos, and digital content

• Training methods, workshops, and pedagogical materials

• Research, documentation, and publications

No part of this work may be used, reproduced, or adapted without explicit permission.

2. Conditions of Use

2.1 Explicit Permission Required

Any use, sharing, reproduction, adaptation, or presentation of Signdance Group work requires explicit written permission from the organisation and the artists.

2.2 No Full Public Presentation Without Consent

No full work—performance, film, script, or choreographic score—may be shown publicly (online or offline) without explicit written permission from the Artistic Directors.

2.3 Approval Required for All Writing and Publication

Any writing, journalism, academic work, documentation, or publication concerning:

• Signdance Collective

• Signdance Europe

• Znakovni Ples

• Signdance theatre methodology

must be approved in advance by the Artistic Directors:

David Bower
Maria De Graal (Isolte Avila)

2.4 Respect for Cultural and Disability‑Led Origins

All uses must respect:

• The Deaf and disabled‑led origins of the work

• The linguistic and cultural integrity of sign languages

• The artistic methodology developed over four decades

Misrepresentation, distortion, or appropriation of the work is strictly prohibited.

3. Representatives and Associate Artists with Usage Rights

The following individuals are recognised as official representatives and associate artists of The Signdance Group. They have explicit permission to utilise elements of the repertoire for:

• Publishing

• Informing

• Inclusion within their professional domains

• Educational, curatorial, or organisational contexts

Recognised Representatives & Associate Artists:

• Pedro De Senna

• Angelina Schwammerlin

• Robert Corcoran

• Goro Osojnik

• Joje Menssink

• Jane Jutsum

• Barbara Butalovic

• Zhiling Guo

Their use of the repertoire must remain consistent with the values, ethics, and artistic integrity of The Signdance Group and must not involve full public presentation of works without explicit permission from the Artistic Directors.

4. Who We Are

The Signdance Group

The Signdance Group is a transnational artistic network comprising:

• Signdance Collective (UK)

• Signdance Europe (EU)

• Znakovni Ples (Croatia)

The companies collaborate internationally to create inclusive, innovative performance rooted in Deaf and disabled artistry.

Pioneers of the Art Form

Signdance theatre was created and developed by:

• David Bower

• Maria De Graal (Isolte Avila)

Their work since the late 1980s has established signdance as a unique artistic discipline, influencing generations of performers, choreographers, and access practitioners.

5. Short History of the Work

• Signdance theatre emerged in the late 1980s as a radical new performance language led by Deaf and disabled artists.

• Over four decades, the companies have toured internationally across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and beyond.

• The work integrates sign languages, movement, theatre, and music into a cohesive, expressive form.

• Signdance Collective and Signdance Europe have produced a significant body of original work, including stage productions, films, site‑specific performances, and community projects.

• The methodology is now recognised as a distinct artistic practice with cultural, historical, and pedagogical value.

6. The Value of the Work

The work of The Signdance Group is:

• Artistically unique – a performance language found nowhere else.

• Culturally significant – rooted in Deaf and disabled artistry and linguistic diversity.

• Historically important – one of Europe’s earliest and longest‑running disability‑led performance practices.

• Ethically grounded – built on principles of access, inclusion, and equitable collaboration.

• Internationally respected – with a legacy of touring, teaching, and influencing inclusive arts practice worldwide.

7. On Abuse, Misuse, and Protection

Deaf and disabled artists have historically faced:

• Misuse of their work

• Unauthorised reproduction

• Misrepresentation

• Appropriation of artistic methods and cultural knowledge

This policy exists to protect the artists, their intellectual property, and the integrity of the signdance art form.

Any breach of these conditions will be treated as a violation of copyright and artistic rights.