Supercapacidades (Superabilities) was created to bring together talent, technology and collaboration, in order to showcase the artistic abilities of functionally diverse people, promoting inclusion as a tool for social transformation. This project was promoted by the Banco Sabadell Foundation and was developed in collaboration with Fundación SIFU, la Asociación Concurso Internacional de Música Maria Canals and the Escuela Superior de Música de Cataluña (ESMUC).
Supercapacidades is the outcome of SumARTE, our initiative to generate synergies between musical organisations, with the aim of reflecting on how to transform the cultural sector through collaboration and co-creation of projects.
First concerts on stage in Cordoba and Barcelona
The project took its first steps with two concerts: the first, on 2 December at the Gran Teatro de Córdoba, as part of the ACPACYS Inclusive Concert, in front of around 1,000 spectators; and the second, on 13 December at Sala 4 Alícia de Larrocha, part of ESMUC in Barcelona.
These shows were the result of months of collaboration between ESMUC music students and functionally diverse artists, who breathed life into an artistic event that was innovative and brimming with emotion. Since September, the participants have received specialist training in inclusion and diversity, integrating these perspectives at each stage of the creative process. The rehearsals and co-creative activities were carried out at the ESMUC facilities, under the guidance and supervision of the SIFU Foundation monitoring team, ensuring that all those involved enjoyed an enriching and transformative experience.
“These concerts were the culmination of a process that began in May 2023 at our SumArte event. What began as a brainstorming session on how to empower artists with unique abilities (those with a mental disability and/or functional diversity) and how to raise awareness among music students and teaching professionals, in general, about diversity and the unique nature of skills among functionally diverse individuals, has become, one and a half years later, an extraordinary project” stated Judit Vicente, head of projects at the Banco Sabadell Foundation, who was also part of the brainstorming round table for the project.
An inclusive model to transform art
Supercapacidades is not only focused on musical creation, but also on awareness raising and research. This project aims to become a model that can be replicated in other conservatories and on other stages throughout the country, fostering a new normal in the artistic arena. As indicated by Oriol Saña, Artistic Director of the SIFU Foundation: “The goal is to highlight the abilities of disabled persons, avoid paternalism and promote real inclusion in the arts.”
For his part, Jordi Vivancos, Director of the Maria Canals International Music Competition Association, stresses the importance of combining efforts and knowledge to the benefit of those with functional diversity, with a far-reaching vision.
Initiatives like Supercapacidades demonstrate how collaboration and inclusion can serve as powerful tools to transform society. This project not only enriches the participants, but it also reinforces the cultural sector’s commitment to diversity and innovation.
“It is said that the smallest action is better than the greatest intention. But it is not always easy to move from intention to action, and doing so by collaborating with others can be even harder. Collaboration involves not only generosity, an ability to listen, empathy and a large dose of enthusiasm, but also a firm resolve and common purpose, such as that which has guided the SIFU Foundation, ESMUC and the Maria Canals Competition Association. This is when the magic begins and the combined sum of diverse abilities generates superabilities (Supercapacidades). During the concert, I did not see abilities or disabilities, just nine people doing what they love the most: playing together and giving us an opportunity to enjoy music.” says Judit Vicente.
