The first inclusive art academy

2023-05-05 18:00:01

They do exist – “positive moments of shock”, which the director of sicht:wechsel, Alfred Rauch, remembers. At the ORF gala “Licht ins Dunkel” in December he was able to present the International Integrative Culture Festival. What the singer and actor did not know: “There was a financial surcharge for a project in 2023.”

Rauch had long harbored a wish for one: “An offer of further training for artists with disabilities at the various art schools.” Stefan Pimmingstorfer, chairman of the sicht.wechsel support association for integrative cultural work, also states that “there is no inclusive education system at all levels”. Not yet. Because that could now change: From September 18th to 22nd, the first sicht:wechsel academy, as an inclusive art academy, invites you to 35 workshops in acting, dance, music, fine arts and media under the title “Spiel:Räume”. They are free of charge, lasting from two hours to five days, open to around 500 people with and without disabilities and take place in cooperation with the Anton Bruckner Private University and the University of Art and Design Linz and Dorf TV. “Everyone immediately showed great interest in a cooperation,” says Alfred Rauch happily. This is also reflected in the wide range of workshops on offer, from a theater workshop to body percussion to film and radio taster courses and a dance workshop with Hanna Zanin, head of the “Ich bin OK” dance studios in Vienna. Previous knowledge is mostly not required. All workshop leaders are both professionals in their field and experienced in inclusive work.

desire to continue

As a “balloon” that rises for the first time this year, the art academy should set an example and be “exemplary for further activities towards opening art schools for people with disabilities,” Alfred Rauch wishes. A biennial or annual sequel is planned.

Infos: All workshops at the “Spiel:Räume” academy and all information about (binding) registration are available on the sicht:wechsel website www.sicht-wechsel.at