Accessibility in Children's Theater as a learning tool
The project centres on the concept of the ‘Aesthetics of Access’. In collaboration with the theatre group Engel&Magorrian, the project promotes accessibility in children’s and youth theatre.
Factsheet
- Schools involved Bern Academy of the Arts
- Institute(s) Institute Practices and Theories in the Arts
- Research unit(s) Art Education
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Caring Society"
- Funding organisation SNSF
- Duration (planned) 01.05.2026 - 31.10.2027
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Yvonne Schmidt
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Project staff
Nina Mühlemann
Jonas Thubten Shontshang
Luzius Engel
Emily Magorrian -
Partner
Theaterkompanie Engel & Magorrian
Theater Stadelhofen
ASSITEJ
Schlachthaus Theater Bern
ThiK Theater im Kornhaus
Schule Fokus Sehen
Situation
This knowledge transfer project makes children’s theatre accessible and uses it as a tool for learning about inclusion and accessibility. Building on the research project “Aesthetics of the Im/Mobile”, it explores artistic approaches to accessibility and the work of disabled artists. In collaboration with Engel&Magorrian, the project strengthens accessibility in children’s and youth theatre and supports a more inclusive cultural landscape in Switzerland.
Course of action
Unfortunately, accessibility in the cultural sector (and elsewhere) is still often neglected and is usually only considered as an afterthought. Whilst accessibility is generally lacking in the theatre and dance sectors, this is particularly true of children’s theatre. Around 5% of children in Switzerland have a disability. Yet the cultural landscape is currently barely accessible to these children, and neither disabled nor non-disabled children have many opportunities to explore inclusion and accessibility in a cultural setting in a playful way. This is where the project comes in, by specifically transferring knowledge on artistic accessibility from the SNSF research project ‘Aesthetics of the Im/Mobile’ to children’s and youth theatre, with an accessible theatre production serving as a learning tool.
Result
By bringing together research, practice and education, the project helps to embed accessibility in children’s and youth theatre in the long term and to promote a more inclusive cultural landscape in Switzerland. With the publication of a guide on accessibility and children’s theatre, the project provides guidance for other artists and theatres wishing to create more accessible projects.
