Caring Arts

"<< Background >>We applied for this project because we recognized the pervasive nature of discrimination and exclusion in our society. Our participating organisations observed a division in their work: their projects are dealing either with so-called inclusion or with gender justice but rarely connecting both. We wanted to overcome this artificial separation. We sought to address the topics within the arts, theater and education sectors in particular. The main need we addressed was to create an accessible art and education space where marginalized people can participate and feel safe, welcome, valued and seen. Recognizing that ideas of accessibility and care vary across different communities, we saw the necessity of incorporating diverse and transnational perspectives. Our project brought together queer feminist and disability justice activists from European regions to explore, discuss and experience the creation of accessible learning and creative spaces. We did this through the following activities: a close collaboration between partners and participants that was deepened in two hybrid educational trips to Munich and Vienna (one week each) and the creation of a website to share and diffuse some of our work. << Objectives >> 1. Promoting a Collective Understanding of Care: Care is often seen as a personal responsibility, predominantly shouldered by women - often tied to global inequalities through care chains. The project aimed to shift this perception by emphasizing care as a collective social issue. 2. Building a Network to Articulate Mutual Care: The project sought to establish a transnational network and partnership. 3. Addressing Divisions and Promoting Intersectionality: Participants noted a division in their work between projects focused on so-called inclusion and gender justice. The project aimed to overcome this division. 4. Highlighting Marginalized Voices: The project aimed to prioritize, center and amplify the voices of marginalized individuals, particularly disabled female, non-binary, and trans* theater pedagogues and curators. 5. Creating Relaxed and Accessible Spaces: the project aimed to develop a learning framework and practical experience in creating relaxed and accessible spaces that inherently embody principles of care. 6. Sharing and difusing project results: Finally, the aim was to share the art, methods, thoughts and processes that been part of that journey for other educators and artists.<< Implementation >>1. Dreaming about Caring Arts - Methodological Online Laboratory: ◦ around 40 meetings with partners and / or partcipants thoughout the project ◦ Held internal workshops on: ▪ ""Needs Assessment in Project Planning"" in July 2022 ▪ ""Accessibility in Social Media"" on 12th January 2023 ◦ internal skill-sharing sessions and knowledge transfer on topics such as easy language, image descriptions, alternative texts, audio description and neurdivergent needs ◦ collective curation of website creation and content creation, with content production and accessibility work carried out by participants ◦ 2. ""Caring Arts Lab Munich"" Adult Educational Training: ◦ 4th to 10th October 2022 in Munich ◦ 15 participants based in three partner countries ◦ organization team developed the framework, while participants conducted workshops ◦ 3. Caring Arts Lab Vienna"" Adult Educational Training: ◦ 10th to 16th September 2023 in Vienna ◦ 15 participants from partner countries << Results >> 1. Online Laboratory Meetings and 2 in-person training for adult education ◦ regular online meetings for exchange, organisation and skill-share ◦ two one-week trainings for adult education 2. Creation of a Multimedia Website ◦ Conceptualized, prepared, and collectively curated a multimedia website ◦ includes videos, texts, images, audios on methods and practices by participants and documentation of the common work ◦ The website can be accessed at www.caring-arts.org 3. Sustainable change in partner Organizations ◦ more awareness for digital accessibility ◦ Implemented measures to enhance accessibility in workshops and educational work, including COVID prevention measures, alternative seating arrangements ◦ Revised work flows and practices to prioritize accessibility internally and with our target group 4. Formation of Network ◦ Established a network of individuals who expressed a desire to continue working together ◦ Some partners applied for further funding to sustain collaborative efforts ◦ Fostered interpersonal and professional relationships ◦ Some partners plan a new project together focusing on mental health"