At the heart of Slovenia’s Zasavje region, something extraordinary has been unfolding since 2015—a vibrant dance movement rooted in expression, community, and courage. Meet Steadfast Toward Our Goals, a dynamic contemporary dance group formed within the Vocational and Occupational Centre Zasavje. Led by mentor Kim Kern Kukovič, this collective brings together a remarkable ensemble of artists with intellectual disabilities, aged between 27 and 49, who are reshaping the cultural landscape—one performance at a time.
This is no ordinary troupe. Through movement, rhythm, and art therapy principles, these dancers cultivate a safe, expressive space where imagination thrives. Their sessions go beyond choreography—they offer moments of joy, emotional exploration, and deep connection. Here, dance becomes a language of empowerment and belonging.
Where Art Meets Advocacy
Each year, Steadfast Toward Our Goals captivates audiences at Slovenia’s Regional Dance Review, with multiple invitations to regional and national stages, including Ljubljana and Velenje. Their annual co-organized event, Word, Dance, Music in Trbovlje, and their standout performance at Cankarjev dom for Sožitje Association’s 60th anniversary, highlight the cultural value and social impact of their work.
Their latest piece, Turn Off the Lights, Turn On the Stars, is a poignant dance miniature addressing the issue of light pollution. In it, the group explores how artificial lighting disconnects humans from nature and how rediscovering the night sky can reconnect us to something deeper. “There is a lot of light within us,” the dancers say—and it shows. With grace and determination, they share that light with every audience they encounter.
The Power of Partnership and Support
Kim Kern Kukovič, who has nurtured this group’s journey from the beginning, views dance as both therapy and activism. “Dance opens doors for social inclusion,” she says, echoing the sentiment of renowned choreographer Pina Bausch: ‘I’m not interested in how people move, but in what moves them.’ Her mentorship blends passion with pedagogy, helping each dancer not only move, but be moved.
The dancers themselves speak eloquently about what dance means to them:
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“I love dancing because it relaxes me. I get inspired by musicals,” says Ernest Mešić.
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“Performing brings me joy. I love the applause,” adds Peter Lipovšek.
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“Dancing together connects us. I love helping Miran, who is blind, navigate the space,” shares Samira Salihović.
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“Dancing relaxes me—and I love our time together,” says Aleš Šifrar.
A Platform for Visibility and Change
As part of the ArtElevate initiative—an EU-funded project promoting inclusive cultural expression across Europe—groups like Steadfast Toward Our Goals are gaining the visibility and support they deserve. The ArtElevate platform is designed to showcase artistic excellence by individuals with intellectual disabilities, offer mentorship resources, and inspire policy changes toward greater inclusivity in the arts.
For the dancers at VDC Zasavje, it’s about more than performance. It’s about showing the world that art belongs to everyone. And when you watch them dance, you don’t see limitations—you see passion, connection, and light.
Follow the Light
Stay tuned to the ArtElevate blog to learn more about the incredible artists, educators, and projects redefining inclusion through creativity. Because when we make space for everyone to shine, we all see a little more clearly.
