OpenRegioCulture has started „personally” as well
The first interregional meeting of the project took place in Krakow on 12-13 June 2024, where all the project partners met each other personally for the first time.
After the official project kick-off meeting, where they discussed different general management, financial, communication and methodological issues, the first study visit started, where project partners could get to know and examine the several good practices of the host, Małopolska region.
It was very interesting to hear about Małopolska empathetic culture program that has been conducted since 2016 a dedicated project for improving accessibility of 23 regional cultural institutions. Up to now it has moved its focus from the needs of people with disabilities and highlighted that we shall be open to diverse and various needs of people visiting our institutions. Now it provides not only practical solutions, but inspires cultural, social and educational policies, both at political and strategic level.
Having visited the Home Army Museum that aims to show the living conditions during World War II partners managed to observe, how the institution makes efforts to make its exhibitions accessible to all. Since 2011, the building has been accessible – ramps, a disabled lift and toilets have been added. In the framework of the "Listen to the history of the Home Army" programme, a new 'tour route' was built in the building, including an audio-visual guide for the visually impaired and several tactile objects – like maps or helmets – were created. Due to the "History catches the ear. Deaf on the trail" project 27 recordings were made. The videos explain the exhibition through sign language and captions, and can be viewed by scanning QR codes at various points. The project also included training for staff, including a Polish sign language course. In addition, the museum is open once a week with “silent hours”, which is particularly helpful for visitors with autism.
Partners also get to know Cricoteka – Centre for Documentation of the Art of Tadeusz Kantor –, a hybrid cultural institution, that is dedicated to the storage, present and care of a collection of theatrical objects, drawings and documents Tadeusz Kantor's plays. The institution constantly focuses on making its cultural offer accessible to the widest audience possible, including social groups with special needs. Exhibitions are made with testing their suitability for disabled visitors, and tactile objects are also made of those exhibited ones that cannot be touched. Visually impaired people can also access the building due to the signs on the ground to show the way, and the mock-ups of the whole building. They also provide assistance for the hearing impaired, as they have a staff member who has learned Polish sign language.
After the interesting presentations and discussions partners gathered to groups to summarise their key observations, development suggestions and comments also with conclusions, ideas and recommendations.
The project continues with the further elaboration of good practices, mapping the different regional stakeholders and the preparation of the next study visit to Hungary at the end of the year.