Since 2017, capito Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, together with the State Museum Schwerin (Germany), has been training people with disabilities to become art educators. The project impressively combines cultural education, career prospects, and practical inclusion.
Three aspects make this model project particularly valuable:
First, the training is individually tailored to the participants. In addition to art history, it focuses on skills such as communicating with diverse audiences, dealing with difficult situations, and using digital media. The content was developed together with the participants – a participatory approach that focuses on empowerment.
Second, the impact is measurable: More than 500 visitors have already participated in inclusive tours. They experience art in a new way – taught by people with lived experience of diversity. At the same time, the guides become ambassadors for accessibility and inclusive cultural work.
Third, the project has an impact far beyond Schwerin. It has sparked interest from museums and organizations across Europe—for example, in Belgium, Hungary, and Spain. Together with partners, capito MV is currently developing an official job profile for museum guides with disabilities.
This project, which also won the Zero Project Award, is a strong example of inclusive employment in the cultural sector – and a beacon for greater cultural participation across Europe.
For more information about Capito’s work, see here.