Culture for everyone: Telephone tours start at the Dresden State Theater!

Culture for everyone: Telephone tours start at the Dresden State Theater!

In a remarkable initiative, culture in Dresden is made accessible to everyone. With the “Culture on Call” program, the Staatsschauspiel Dresden will be the first theater in Germany to open its doors to telephone tours from September 2025. This move aims to open up hidden cultural places for everyone, not just for local art enthusiasts, but for people from all walks of life, regardless of disability, place of residence or mobility. The first telephone tour will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be experienced from the comfort of your own home. Participants immerse themselves in the topics of architecture, technical features, theater professions and stage mechanics while learning more about the stories and everyday life of a repertory company.

But what exactly is “on call culture”? This is a nationwide offer for telephone cultural tours that already connects over 100 museums and cultural sites. The idea emerged in 2021 during the Corona lockdowns and has now become a valuable platform for those who may have limited access to museums or theaters. These tours are currently free of charge, thanks to funding from Aktion Mensch. Participants can register via the website www.beirufkultur.de or register by calling 040.20 94 04 36.

Inclusion and accessibility

Another important aspect of “On Call Culture” is the practice of inclusion. Not only the Staatsschauspiel is participating in this initiative, but also the Green Vault Dresden, which is hosting the special exhibition "Admired, collected, exhibited. Disability in Baroque and contemporary art" until March 3, 2025. During the tour on February 5, 2024, visually impaired, blind, deaf people and people with dementia can take part in a telephone tour with the support of a cultural mediator who describes the visual content of the exhibition. Such programs are more than just tours; they are a response to the challenges that cultural institutions have in terms of inclusion. Cultural participation should be possible for all people and should not depend on whether they have physical access or not.

Creating accessibility requires more than just physical adjustments; it requires courage, perseverance and a positive culture of error. Mistakes are part of the inclusive process because we learn from them and develop creative solutions to remove barriers. The identification of physical and mental barriers and dialogue with the people affected are essential. Cultural institutions have the challenge of creating space for everyone and building networks to promote inclusion, which is something they urgently need.

The “On Call Culture” offer is a start to promoting cultural participation for everyone. There are a variety of opportunities to exchange ideas and participate in art and culture, without restrictions. Stay tuned for the latest information and grab the chance to be part of this exciting initiative that promotes inclusion and accessibility.