2023 was a full year. It gave us many joys, some frustrations, good surprises.

2023 was also the year of our 10th anniversary. A good time to take stock, try to better understand what our contribution has been to the cultural sector and society in general. We received feedback from colleagues, participants in our actions or, simply, people who follow our work. We were “spoiled”, we were criticised, we received suggestions, we discussed ideas, we tried to respond to specific needs. We thought, rethought, redefined what we are doing and why. We grew, in number and in thinking.

We worked hard on 2023. There would be many things to share, but we would like to focus on the initiatives carried out to celebrate this 10th anniversary.

Pleased to meet you!

Throughout the year, we provoked unexpected meetings between members who did not know each other. “Pleased to meet you!” is a series of 10 brief conversations, rich, fun and often moving (with English subtitles). The 10th and final conversation will be recorded next week and will be shared before the end of the year. It will bring together one of the founding members of Access Culture, Mafalda Freitas, with the last member to be welcomed in 2023, the Shoe Museum.

10+1 | Access, participation and cultural democracy

This publication, launched in June, brings together 10 interviews with different professionals and organisations and also +1, with Bem Evans, Director of Arts and Disability at the British Council.

They say about Access Culture

Explore this image gallery that presents points of view from different colleagues about the work of Access Culture over these 10 years and the importance it has in their professional and personal lives.

How (and when) to talk about disability: a guide for cultural communication professionals and journalists

It is urgent to break the ableist paradigm in Portuguese society – and in others, therefore, we are translating it too. This publication was launched in October and we know that it has been widely shared. Let’s hope it makes a difference too.

10 years x 10 cities x 10 debates

At the moment of writing this newsletter, we are “flying” to the last debate to be held this year. “10 years x 10 cities x 10 debates” took us to cities that have been collaborating with us, over several years, in creating space and time for joint reflections. We could not think of a better theme to conclude this journey than “What can a civic movement do for culture?”, chosen by our partners on the island of São Miguel, Azores.

Mentoring Program

The first edition of our mentoring program was concluded a few days ago. Colleagues who generously offered their time, as mentees and as mentors, to talk, challenge, inspire and support each other. “Questioning things, meanings, projects. Why just to stay small, why not to want something more?”, a participant told us at the last meeting.

What are we thinking about right now?

That Access Culture exists to fight ignorance. That Access Culture exists to create community, so that colleagues in different parts of the country do not feel alone. That Access Culture exists to inspire and be inspired. That Access Culture exists to contribute to the construction of a curious and inclusive society, in which everyone can dream, have opportunities to participate and be the best they can. This is the vision that feeds us.

Happy holidays, have a happy new year!