Collaborate or Contribute
Help Keep Better Backstages Growing!
Better Backstages began with a panel held by Atlantic Presenters Association for Music Nova Scotia’s NS Music Week in October, 2024.
Phase 1 began when community partners Atlantic Presenters, Eastern Front Theatre and Music Nova Scotia hired Meghan Sivani-Merrigan of Apex Arts Access to create a resource for supporting artists accessibility, and the next chapters will grow the same way – through working with people and organizations who want to make arts and culture more accessible.
Phase 2 is independently maintained and expanded by Meghan. If you’d like to help keep the Toolkit growing and online, you are welcome to make a small contribution through Buy Me a Coffee.
Collaboration can take many forms: developing new resources, building educational workshops, or partnerships on accessibility projects with venues, festivals, and arts orgs. There’s room to get creative, and many of these ideas can connect with grant funding or shared initiatives.
If you’re interested in teaming up to grow the Toolkit or create something new together, get in touch!
PROJECT ROADMAP
October 2024
Phase 1
Launched development of the Better Backstages Toolkit by Meghan Sivani-Merrigan of Apex Arts Access in partnership with Atlantic Presenters Association, Music Nova Scotia, and Eastern Front Theatre.
March 2025
Toolkit Web Launch, end Phase 1
As part of Phase 1, Atlantic Presenters Association hired a web developer to publish the Better Backstages Toolkit on www.accessibilityproject.ca. The site is hosted there on a static page.
September 2025
Phase 2 – Independent Development
Independent updates began, focusing on expanding content into a PDF and migrating the toolkit contents to a new home that can be actively maintained. Somehow, I manage to learn how to build a website.
October 2025
The www.betterbackstages.ca Website Launch!
Launch of www.betterbackstages.ca, the new home for the evolving Better Backstages Accessibility Toolkit. Here I can make edits, amendments and continue to grow the resources available.
WISHLIST AND FUTURE GOALS
- Create new and expanded sections for the toolkit.
- Hire a WCAG consultant to review website accessibility.
- Build out the resource directory with more Canadian arts organizations.
- Continue collaborations with partners and contributors.
- Secure funding to support future updates and growth.
Hi! Thanks for your interest, if you wish to get in touch with me, send a message through this form. I will get back to you asap!