Spazi aperti per una cultura accessibile
28 April 2025 - 01 June 2026
Bergamo
ⓒ Carlo Valtellina
SPAZI APERTI PER UNA CULTURA ACCESSIBILE
A network initiative promoting the participation of people with vulnerabilities in the cultural life of Bergamo
Since 2021, ORLANDO has embarked on a journey to make the Festival a more accessible space. We are aware that accessibility is not a goal to be achieved but a continuous questioning of habits, deeply rooted in our thinking, that hinder participation in culture and social life. By taking part in Spazi aperti per una cultura accessibile, we aim to foster a virtuous exchange with other local cultural organisations, expand the representation space for artists and people with disabilities, and contribute to making culture a common good.
Elisabetta Consonni, Artistic Director of the ORLANDO Festival
Elisabetta Consonni, Artistic Director of the ORLANDO Festival
The Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca has launched Spazi aperti per una cultura accessibile, a network initiative involving us alongside seven other active organisations in the production and promotion of culture in the city. The project aims to guarantee the right of access, participation, and engagement in the cultural life of the area, with particular attention to people in vulnerable conditions.
The initiative's promoter network, coordinated by the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca, includes eight organisations active in Bergamo's cultural scene: 23/C ART Social Cooperative, ABC Allegra Brigata Cinematica, Bergamo Film Meeting Association, Immaginare Orlando Cultural Association APS, Patronato San Vincenzo Social Cooperative, HG80 Social Cooperative Social Enterprise, Laboratorio 80 Cultural Association, TTB – Teatro tascabile di Bergamo Academy of Performing Arts Social Cooperative.
The initiative consists of three main actions, coordinated by the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca:
1. Training and Mentoring on Accessibility
Aimed at partner organisations, this programme is designed to develop awareness and operational skills. It includes theoretical sessions and experiential workshops aimed at the concrete design of inclusive initiatives that can respond to the motor, sensory, linguistic, and psychological diversity of cultural audiences.
Aimed at partner organisations, this programme is designed to develop awareness and operational skills. It includes theoretical sessions and experiential workshops aimed at the concrete design of inclusive initiatives that can respond to the motor, sensory, linguistic, and psychological diversity of cultural audiences.
2. Digital Accessibility
Adapting the websites of partner organisations to accessibility criteria in line with the WCAG 2.2 guidelines (Web Accessibility Initiative). Each partner will receive professional consultation to assess the current state of their digital communication tools and embark on a journey towards accessible, clear, and inclusive user experiences.
Adapting the websites of partner organisations to accessibility criteria in line with the WCAG 2.2 guidelines (Web Accessibility Initiative). Each partner will receive professional consultation to assess the current state of their digital communication tools and embark on a journey towards accessible, clear, and inclusive user experiences.
3. Accessible Cultural Events Series
Events, promoted by network partners in Bergamo, are designed to meet the needs and interests of people with disabilities, overcoming architectural, linguistic, and sensory barriers.
Events, promoted by network partners in Bergamo, are designed to meet the needs and interests of people with disabilities, overcoming architectural, linguistic, and sensory barriers.
With Bergamo Brescia 2023, culture has once again become a tool for dialogue, a driving force of new social cohesion, and a language that speaks to everyone, capable of reaching those who usually find it more difficult to engage with cultural experiences. This awareness has taken root, going beyond extraordinary events: the ‘culture that heals’ is one that promotes the well-being of people. The well-being of all: children, teenagers, young and older adults, and vulnerable individuals. An accessible culture that creates bonds, strengthens a welcoming community, and is inclusive and attentive to vulnerabilities.
This is why we are now committed to the Crowd4Culture call by Fondazione Cariplo, through which we aim to promote truly inclusive culture, particularly with respect to the world of disabilities. Crowd4Culture is an additional opportunity offered by Fondazione Cariplo to bridge the gap between citizens and culture, and to create more cohesive and supportive communities. This is an opportunity that, through our community foundation, we make available to the region. A heartfelt thanks to all the cultural operators who have taken on this challenge with us.
Simona Bonaldi, Vice-President of the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca
This is why we are now committed to the Crowd4Culture call by Fondazione Cariplo, through which we aim to promote truly inclusive culture, particularly with respect to the world of disabilities. Crowd4Culture is an additional opportunity offered by Fondazione Cariplo to bridge the gap between citizens and culture, and to create more cohesive and supportive communities. This is an opportunity that, through our community foundation, we make available to the region. A heartfelt thanks to all the cultural operators who have taken on this challenge with us.
Simona Bonaldi, Vice-President of the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca
The event calendar for the series, running from August 2025 to June 2026, includes:
- Il Grande Sentiero (Laboratorio 80 in collaboration with Bergamo Film Meeting): a distributed film festival focusing on the environment, cultures, and traditions.
- Festival Danza Estate (23/C ART): discovering contemporary dance through a special event designed and planned for people with disabilities;
- Segni dell’anima (Teatro tascabile di Bergamo – TTB): ten days of screenings, exhibitions, performances, and discussions on cultural accessibility, with actors and audiences with disabilities;
- Street Art Ball Project - SAB (HG80): an open workshop and co-design event dedicated to members of the ASD Baskin Bergamo and province (inclusive basketball), where participants are involved in painting a basketball court;
- CittadiDanza (ABC Allegra Brigata Cinematica): a festival exploring dance and the body as tools for inclusion, with Dance Ability workshops, accessible performances, and multisensory events for children with neurodivergence;
- Bergamo Film Meeting International Film Festival (Bergamo Film Meeting Onlus): presenting a special event screening dedicated to inclusivity and accessibility at the 2026 edition;
- Festival ORLANDO (Immaginare Orlando Cultural Association): a festival of performing arts and cinema, where events offer representation of disabilities through workshops led by artists with disabilities, accessible in terms of communication and spaces for various disabilities and vulnerabilities.;
- Baleno Festival (Patronato San Vincenzo): a community festival with free and inclusive activities in the Malpensata park.
To realise Spazi aperti per una cultura accessibile, a fundraising campaign has been launched on the For Funding platform by Intesa Sanpaolo, as part of the Crowd4Culture call promoted by Fondazione Cariplo. This initiative supports local efforts to safeguard and enhance both material and immaterial cultural heritage. The call features a co-funding mechanism: once 50% of the fundraising target is reached, Fondazione Cariplo will match the remaining 50%. The goal is to raise €50,000.