Inclusive Writing Workshops with Ohrenschmaus

The cooperation between Kunsthalle Wien and the Ohrenschmaus association combines creative writing with artistic inspiration and creates an open space for inclusion and diversity.

The Ohrenschmaus association promotes literature written by people with learning difficulties. Since its foundation, it has been committed to helping people with learning disabilities discover, develop and showcase their writing talent. Through collaborations with publishers, cultural institutions and organizations, authors are given a platform and become part of the literary scene. 

A central component of the association’s work are the inclusive writing workshops, which have been taking place throughout Austria since 2023 and support people with learning disabilities in finding their own voice and developing creative forms of expression. 

In collaboration with cultural institutions, spaces are created in which art and language enter into dialogue with one another. Participants encounter exhibitions, images and objects – and transform their impressions into stories, poems and personal reflections. Working together breaks down barriers, promotes self-confidence and opens up new perspectives on art and participation. 

Through the cooperation between the Ohrenschmaus writing workshops and Kunsthalle Wien, the educational programme is expanded to encompass an inclusive dimension: voices that are often underrepresented in the cultural sector gain visibility and shape the artistic dialogue with their own perspectives. The Ohrenschmaus writing workshops demonstrate how inclusive cultural work can help promote awareness, diversity and social participation.