STUDIO i - Platform for Inclusive Culture

Towards inclusion

Like many other cultural institutions in the Netherlands, the two project museums acknowledge that their audiences are quite exclusive: many of our visitors have similar cultural, socio-economical, hetero-normative backgrounds. Over the last few years the museums have therefore started programmes for audiences who previously did not visit: Onvergetelijk, Special Guestsand Queering the Collection. With STUDIO i, we want to take another step towards inclusion and embrace diversity in our own museums as well as the broader cultural sector – considering public, programmes and personnel. We do this together with partners in the field and other cultural organisations.

To inspire, inform and connect

‘i’ stands for inclusion: STUDIO i is a cultural platform that wants to share inspiring ideas and inclusive initiatives, organise events for museum workers and offer training programmes around diversity, inclusion and equity.
Over the next few years, STUDIO will thus connect and create a network of cultural institutions and other partners network, focusing on inclusion in the sector.
The Stedelijk and the Van Abbe also initiate innovative projects themselves and research studies on the topic of inclusion; the results of which will be shared with the sector.

On-site initiatives

In the two project museums, STUDIO I has started several projects to improve inclusion at our own cultural sites. This includes creating a more diverse workforce: the Stedelijk Museum has therefore launched a Diversity Advisory Board with museum employees advising the senior management team on topics of diversity. The Van Abbemuseum is working closely with local constituents and developing an accessible multi-sensory museum space.