Randers, Denmark | December 2024
What happens when a group of passionate artists, mentors, and coordinators from across Europe gather in a Danish town renowned for its commitment to inclusion in the arts? Magic. Or more specifically—shared learning, inspiration, and the groundwork for transformative change.
Between December 10 and 12, 2024, the ART Elevate project took a meaningful step forward with a study visit to GAIA Museum Outsider Art in Randers. The visit brought together nine participants from Slovenia, Italy, and Denmark to explore how inclusive artistic practices can flourish—and how they can be scaled and shared across borders.
Why GAIA?
GAIA isn’t just a museum; it’s a beacon of what’s possible when art meets equity. With its unique focus on outsider art—art by individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions—GAIA is a living testament to the power of creative self-expression. The visit was part of Work Package 2 of the ART Elevate project, aimed at developing educational resources and a digital platform to support artists with intellectual disabilities.
This wasn’t just a field trip. It was a moment of alignment—a chance for partners to ground their work in a shared vision of inclusion, accessibility, and artistic excellence.
A Glimpse into the Three-Day Journey
Day 1: Understanding the Roots
After a warm welcome at GAIA Museum, participants were immersed in the institution’s philosophy. The day also included a visit to Kunstskolen Bifrost—an art school dedicated to neurodivergent artists. With its open studio model and emphasis on long-term development, Bifrost inspired fresh ideas for how inclusive pedagogy could be woven into the MentorArts training platform.
Day 2: Inclusion as Everyday Life
One of the most powerful moments came with the visit to Hertha Living Community, where people of all abilities live, work, and create side by side. From ceramics to theatre, art is integrated into daily life. The setting challenged assumptions and showcased how art and inclusion can go hand-in-hand in sustainable, real-world ways.
Day 3: Celebration and Reflection
Participants joined the GAIA community in a Lucia Procession—an event that brought together symbolism, light, and unity. The afternoon was all about hands-on learning, with joint workshops at GAIA Academy. These sessions were not only practical but deeply moving, giving visitors a true sense of the value of collaborative creation.
What We Learned
A post-visit evaluation told us what we already felt—this was an incredibly valuable experience. Every participant rated the visit’s usefulness at 5 out of 5. Feedback emphasized how meaningful it was to observe inclusive practices in real environments and to connect directly with artists and mentors.
Some key takeaways:
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Inclusion is not an add-on; it’s embedded in daily routines, values, and spaces.
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Mentoring is a two-way street—co-creation and mutual respect are essential.
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Real-world models like Hertha and Bifrost can and should inspire new approaches across Europe.
What’s Next?
The knowledge and connections gained from Randers are already shaping the ART Elevate project’s next steps. From informing the development of the MentorArts training programme to sparking local workshops in Slovenia, Italy, and Denmark, the ripple effect is real.
Participants will now help co-create national training programs, mentor artists with intellectual disabilities, and facilitate inclusive workshops—all guided by the principles and practices witnessed during the visit.
In the spirit of GAIA, this is just the beginning. The ART Elevate platform will launch soon, bringing together mentors, artists, and institutions across Europe into one inclusive digital space. Expect online training, dynamic galleries, and collaborative opportunities that continue the journey started in Randers.
Because art without limits deserves a platform—and a future.
