Context

Access to art and culture is part of the basic skills and provides complementary learning to reading and writing. Although the issue of accessibility is still mostly focused on physical accessibility, digital accessibility is just as important. The massive development of virtual tours offered by museum institutions during and after the health crisis encourages new cultural practices outside the walls. Nevertheless, a virtual exhibition for audiences with little or no qualifications can be just as inaccessible as a physical exhibition. An image, in this case a painting, can be just as complex to understand as a text. In order to develop a truly inclusive digital cultural mediation offer, we felt it was essential to jointly consider the adaptation of a text and the adaptation of the mode of representation of the commentary and the work.

This is why we wished to explore a mode of representation of the commentaries of works which would propose in a sequential and fragmented way the contents texts and images and which would be based on a simple language, to avoid any cognitive or visual overload.

Objectives

The Team of Art project wished to propose a new form of cultural mediation based on a new technical format and editorial approach in order to include audiences with little or no qualifications or with specific needs. The implementation of the project had several objectives.

For trainers and professionals in the museum sector who work with people with special needs:

  • Equip them with inclusive mediation resources
  • Provide them with a “low-tech” and open-source technical solution to develop other virtual exhibitions
  • Strengthen and broaden their digital and pedagogical skills, particularly in terms of how to integrate audiences with special needs

For learners with special needs:

  • Give them free access to innovative educational resources based on the European cultural heritage.

In a transversal way:

  • Promote virtual exhibitions as a learning tool for cultural and personal enrichment
  • Promote European and international heritage as a source of innovation and inspiration

Resources

Team of Art resulted in the delivery of a platform gathering all the resources produced during the project, in English and in all the languages of the partnership.

120

animated virtual exhibitions

10

pedagogical dossiers

30

practical sheets

1

glossary in easy-to-read-and-understand

1

implementation guide

Les partenaires

European Development Foundation

Bulgaria

EDF works for the development of civil society through the creation of programs and the organization of events, supporting innovative practices in education and training of children and youth. The Foundation also aims at the social integration of vulnerable members of society.

Logopsycom

Belgium

As a center for educational innovation, Logopsycom creates and uses alternative methods or tools (digital or not) to support schools, vocational training centers, educational organizations, youth and parents. The center is specialized in learning disorders in young people, especially in “dys” disorders (dyspraxia, dysphasia, dyslexia…).

Microkosmos

Italy

Microkosmos is an association that aims to promote interculturality and to raise awareness of different cultural expressions. The association offers workshops to awaken creative thinking, adaptations to facilitate access to culture for people with special needs and training.

MyArtist

Greece

A cooperative social enterprise founded in 2018, MyArtist specializes in public interest actions (reintegration through work, coaching and mentoring of marginalized artists (people with disabilities, long-term unemployed, ex-prisoners, drug addicts, etc).

Open Europe

Spain

Open Europe is an association committed to lifelong learning. Its programs are designed to develop the communication, leadership and professional skills of participants.