Qualification Programme

A qualification programme to promote inclusive access processes in cultural organisations

Project rounds: September 2024 – June 2025; July 2025 – June 2026; July 2026 – June 2027

Photo in red and black with 2 people in a dancing pose with outstretched arms, text: Nationwide call for proposals, Access Maker, More Diversity in Culture, A qualification programme to promote inclusive access processes in cultural organisations

Continuous inclusive provision and trust in the domino effect pay off: the number of visitors with disabilities grows from event to event.

From July 2024 to June 2027, Un-Label will offer three to four cultural organisations per year comprehensive training in implementing their inclusive opening process. The programme is part of the nationwide project Access Maker – Innovationshub. Cultural organisations wishing to apply have the opportunity to benefit from our wide range of tailored advice, training and intensive support.

The aim is to impart factual knowledge, raise awareness, and enable practical applications tailored to the specific context of each organisation.

A holistic approach for sustainable transformation

Our programme addresses different work areas of cultural organisations. To ensure a holistic and long-term transformation, it is structured around the five pillars of cultural work:

  • Programme
  • Personnel
  • Audience
  • PR & Communications
  • Partnerships

As a team of consultants with different disability perspectives and experts in inclusive cultural work, we support cultural organisations in this process.

to the Open Call (PDF in German)
To the application
To info event (online)

Who can apply? When? How often?
Each year, three to four cultural organisations from across Germany are selected by the programme team in consultation with the funders.

 

  • The project period for the third and, as yet, final year runs from July 2026 to June 2027.
  • Each cultural organisation will participate in at least eight training sessions (min. 60 hours), both on-site and online, and receive ongoing mentoring.
  • Additionally, 16 training modules focusing on different disability perspectives will be available, from which 2-4 modules can be selected based on individual needs.
  • Staff and management must also attend two strategic meetings with other participating organisations.
  • A 20% contribution of the total training costs is required (which equals 4,000€), along with travel expenses (in accordance with the NRW Travel Cost Act) and any applicable accommodation costs.

How does the programme work?

The diagram shows the course of the ‘access:maker’ qualification programme for cultural organisations. The programme comprises at least 60 hours and combines face-to-face modules (4-5), online modules (3-4 + strategy meetings) and continuous mentoring. There are also 2-4 optional modules (online or face-to-face). Focal points: Knowledge transfer, exchange of experience, action competence, inspiration and network building. Symbols illustrate the different modules, while red accents emphasise important information.

Timeline and structure of the programme

Temporal and Content Structure of the Qualification Programme A horizontal timeline arrow runs from left to right. Left label: July 2026 Right label: June 2027 The diagram is divided into three horizontal sections: Section 1: In-person Modules (Small house icon) — IN-PERSON MODULES Along a red arrow are pentagon or rectangular boxes (from left to right): Inclusion and Access: Fundamentals – 7 hours (pentagon) Awareness – 7 hours (pentagon) Aesthetics of Access – 5 hours (pentagon) Structured Access Planning – 5 hours (pentagon) 1st Strategy Meeting – 5 hours (rectangle) To the right, a large circle: 2–4 ELECTIVE MODULES chosen from a total offer of 16 modules (next to a small clicking-hand icon) Section 2: Online Modules (Monitor icon) — ONLINE MODULES Along the second red arrow (left to right): Kick-off – 2 hours (rectangle) Website Check – 2 hours (pentagon) Accessible PR and Communication I – 3 hours (pentagon) Accessible PR and Communication II – 3 hours (pentagon) Collaboration with Artists with Disabilities – 3 hours (pentagon) On the right: 2nd Strategy Meeting – 5 hours (rectangle) Section 3: Continuous Mentoring (Icon with two people) — CONTINUOUS MENTORING Below runs a third red arrow from July 2026 to June 2027 without additional boxes, indicating that mentoring takes place throughout the entire duration of the programme.

Participants in the first and second project round:

 

For the first round of the qualification programme (July 2024 – June 2025), the following organisations were selected: PACT Zollverein (Essen), Lichthof Theater (Hamburg), Landesbühnen Sachsen (Radebeul), for the second round from July 2025 to June 2026 Schwankhalle (Bremen), Orangerie Theater (Köln) and Badisches Staatstheater (Karlsruhe).

 

Call for applications: 3rd project round

 

  • Publication of the call: Wed, 04.02.2026
  • Info session: Monday, 23.03.2026, 16:00 – 17:30,
  • Consultation hours: Mondays, 14:00 – 16:00, from 09.03.26 – 30.03.26
  • Application deadline: Mo, 13.04.2026
  • Decision announcement: Thurs, 21.05.2026
  • Start of 3rd project round: Wed, 01.07.2026 (end: Wed, 30.06.2027)



To the call (PDF)
To the application
To info event (online)

Kontakt
Charlott Dahmen (sie/ihr)
Leitung Beratung
Email: charlott@un-label.eu
Telefonisch: +49 (221) 5501544
Projektwebseite Access Maker – Innovationshub

 

Access Maker – Innovationshub is funded by

Logo_MKW
Logo_ Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien
Logo_Beisheim Stiftung
Logo-Aktion-Mensch

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