Rodney Bell: leading change in accessible arts

“His work shows us why accessible arts matter. He’s not just making art, he’s leading change.”
– Stace Robertson, Arts Access Aotearoa

Valued, expected and anticipated. This is the kaupapa of the Taha Hotu Deaf and Disabled Artists Initiative, disability-led and facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa. Taha Hotu advocates for change so these artists can tell their own stories on their own terms.

Rodney Bell (Ngāti Maniapoto) has received numerous accolades for his groundbreaking work as a dancer and choreographer. He is an arts leader, teaching and mentoring disabled and non-disabled dancers, and an advocate for greater accessibility in the arts.

“I didn’t dream of dancing when I was young,” Rodney says. “Dance found me after I acquired my disability.”

Growing up in Te Kuiti immersed in Māori culture, Rodney’s early life was full of sport, motorbikes and a strong sense of identity.

In 1991, a motorbike accident left him paralysed from the chest down. Suddenly, Rodney faced the challenge of rebuilding his life and redefining who he was.

Through sport – he was a member of the New Zealand wheelchair basketball team – Rodney rebuilt his strength and confidence. But it was dance that changed his life.

In 1997, working alongside choreographer Catherine Chappell, Rodney became a founding member of the pioneering inclusive dance company Touch Compass – now disability-led.

Since then, Rodney’s career has flourished, and he’s built a creative career spanning decades and the world.

“Rodney’s resilience and artistry have paved the way for other disabled performers,” says Stace Robertson, Lead Accessibility Advisor at Arts Access Aotearoa. “His work shows us why accessible arts matter. He’s not just making art, he’s leading change.”

Taha Hotu translates as “to lean together”. The name was gifted by Rodney. “As a disabled community, I believe we all lean differently in the wind. So let’s hold on to the desire to lean towards each other, especially when we are in need of community or support.”