The Artist’s Magic Wand project promotes the equal participation of deaf and disabled artists in the cultural sector. Funded by the Kone Foundation, the project runs from 2024 to 2026 and is organized by Cultur Association Eucrea Finland, an organization dedicated to advancing the status of artists with disabilities. The project team consists of project manager Riikka Hänninen and project coordinator Sanni Virta, both of whom are disabled artists.
At its core, the project emphasizes that artists with disabilities are equal contributors to the cultural sector. Despite their professional and high-quality work, these artists continue to encounter discrimination and prejudice within the art field.
The Artist’s Magic Wand project shines a spotlight on artists from these minority groups, bringing their unique perspectives and creative visions to the forefront of the art world. Their work challenges existing structures and preconceptions, ultimately enriching the entire cultural landscape.
The project offers a training program for artists, guidance on grant applications, and opportunities to build new networks. This comprehensive support acts as a “magic wand,” empowering artists to make their work more visible and accessible. Furthermore, the project encourages the art sector to actively include the work of deaf and disabled artists in their programming.
Key partners of the Artist’s Magic Wand project include The Culture for All Service, the Finnish Musicians’ Union, Ursa Minor Cooperative, and Galleria Huuto.
This initiative builds upon the efforts of the previous project, Making Space for Artistry – Equity for Disabled Artists and Artists Who Are Sign Language Users (2022–2024), led by the Culture for All Service.