Every child and young person has the right to experience and make art. Participation in hobbies should be as easy as possible, regardless of disabilities, support needs, native language or family financial situation, for example. Recognizing diversity in children, young people and in oneself is the first step towards realizing the cultural rights of children and young people and towards a more equal children’s culture field.
Recognizing and taking into account diversity and different ways of doing things in the planning and implementation of services can make them more accessible. Thorough accessibility is about minimizing barriers to participation in many aspects, including access to information, economic opportunities, physical environment, the use of senses, social factors and understanding. The aim is to enable children and young people to choose art hobbies and activities based on their interests, rather than limiting choice to those services that take into account the diversity of participants and the removal of barriers to access.
The better the cultural rights of children and young people are implemented, the greater is the sustainability and impact of children’s cultural activities. Children’s cultural operators (and subsequently other cultural operators) will gain new clients and the quality of children’s cultural activities will improve. The aim is to create an equal children’s culture field, where everyone has the opportunity to take up hobbies, participate, get training and work, regardless of their individual characteristics.
Accessible arts education guide for children’s cultural centers and basic art education institutions
The aim of the guide is to provide tools and tips on accessibility. It has been produced by the City of Tampere as part of the SATA2 Project (Acces-sible Art Hobby 2). The guide and accessibility sign aim to improve the accessibility of cultural and art activities for children and young people with special needs nationwide.
