Culture in Dialogue: The Summer Academy in Dresden starts in October!

Culture in Dialogue: The Summer Academy in Dresden starts in October!

The event will take place from October 20th to 28th, 2025 Henry Arnhold Dresden Summer School instead of. The event is aimed at young cultural experts and researchers from home and abroad who would like to deal with the topics of freedom and democracy in a cultural context. The program includes lectures, discussions, workshops as well as visits to current exhibitions and rehearsals of theater performances. The aim is to promote a dialogue about the challenges and scope for action in the cultural sector.

Cultural institutions play a crucial role in this context. They are not only places for exchange, but also for reflection and vision. However, they are increasingly exposed to political influence, economic pressure and cultural instrumentalization. This raises the question of how the autonomy of these institutions can be secured.

Important aspects of cultural participation

A central topic in the cultural policy discourse is this cultural participation. This includes not only passive participation as an audience, but also active participation approaches. The assumption is that cultural participation makes a decisive contribution to social participation and thus to the capacity for democracy. High public cultural funding of 15 billion euros annually in Germany ensures that art and cultural institutions are recognized as socially valuable.

Nevertheless, there are long-term challenges: Participation is often focused on highly cultural offerings that are preferred by more highly educated and socially better off groups. The discourse about equity in participation has gained in importance since the 1970s, for example through Hilmar Hoffmann's “Culture for All”. It is important that access to culture also reaches socially disadvantaged people.

Participation through culture

The concept of Participation through culture has been an essential part of political education in Germany for 30 years. The aim is to educate people to become autonomous citizens and to strengthen their skills for democratic action. Cultural education offers the opportunity for self-education and is a key to promoting participation.

As part of cultural projects such as “HipHop Academy Hamburg” or “AHA! The City Researchers”, children and young people in particular are encouraged in their creativity and commitment. Such projects show how important access to art and culture is for socially disadvantaged groups. They also support the development of self-esteem and social networks.

The application deadline for the promising Dresden Summer School ends on July 20, 2025. Those interested should apply early so as not to miss this unique opportunity to engage intensively with cultural topics. Julia Müer and Hanna Kahler are available to contact for further information.