On 12 November, the Member Forum on Arts, Culture and Sport headed to Cologne, Germany, for a Study Visit that was equally inspiring, insightful and, frankly, good fun.

Organised in the framework of EASPD's Lighthouse Network, the Study Visit brought together participants from Scotland, Belgium and Greece who share a committment to making art, culture and creative careers accessible to all. Thanks to our hosts, Un-Label, the group had the chance to see how Cologne-based organisations are doing this in practice.

The first stop was Kunsthaus KAT18, a vibrant art space that supports artists with disabilities to develop their work at their own pace and in their own style. Around 20 artists currently use the studio, which offers not only the right environment for creativity but also a genuine sense of community. The group met several of the artists, learned about their personal creative process and saw their pieces up close. But KAT18 doesn’t just offer studio space. Their open gallery and café help root the organisation in Cologne’s cultural scene, making the artists’ work visible and accessible to the wider public.

In the afternoon we visited Un-Label, one of Germany’s first fully accessible spaces dedicated to inclusive performing arts. Their rehearsal room is designed with thoughtful detail, with accessibility being considered from the very beginning rather than added on later. This left many participants wondering why this isn’t standard practice everywhere.

Un-Label works with artists with and without disabilities to co-create unique, inclusive productions. For them, accessibility is not a “nice extra”, but a core artistic principle that shapes the whole performance. On top of their creative work, Un-Label supports cultural institutions and funders in embedding inclusive practices, helping shift the wider cultural sector towards greater equity.

To finish off the day, the group enjoyed an evening concert by the Open Excess trio, a mixed-abled jazz group supported by Un-Label.

Through this visit, participants had the chance to learn from these organisations, but also to connect with peers from across Europe, exchange ideas, and gather inspiration to bring back to their own work at home.

EASPD wishes to thank Un-Label for being such warm hosts, and all participants who made the trip possible. With an even stronger shared commitment to ensuring that culture is truly accessible, we can’t wait to build on these collaborations in the year ahead.