Inclusion in cultural institutions
How can art and culture be made accessible to all people? This question was the focus of an advanced training course organized by the Campus Academy of the University of Bayreuth at the Iwalewahaus.
Philipp Schramm with the participants of the certificate course at the Margravial Opera House.
Andi Weiland
What challenges and opportunities does inclusive cultural work entail? Do we want to be part of the transformation and solution? These questions were explored for the fifth time as part of the in-service certificate course "Inclusive cultural institutions - the museum". The three-day training course for cultural professionals and employees in museums and other cultural institutions was moderated by Dr. Katharina Fink, Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies, and Philipp Schramm, research associate at the Iwalewahaus, and guided the participants through the Iwalewahaus at the University of Bayreuth. Participation and accessibility have always been very important there, making it a positive example in many respects in the ongoing process towards inclusion.
Once again this year, the Campus Academy was able to build on its long-standing collaboration with a wide range of internal and external lecturers, thus bringing together the expertise of researchers and practitioners, with and without disabilities. Through interactive workshops, exciting lectures and lively discussions, the course offered the opportunity to take a comprehensive look at the topic of inclusion in cultural institutions and to exchange ideas with other experts.
Key topics included fundamental inclusion requirements, user experience design, tactile elements in exhibitions and diversity-friendly visual language. Lecturers and participants engaged in in-depth discussions about changing perspectives, the tense relationship between aesthetics and inclusive functionality, setting new standards and creating structures for sustainable change in cultural work. An extensive supporting program, including a joint picnic and a visit to the Margravial Opera House, rounded off the event.