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Bridging Cultures Through Art: A Global Journey of Inclusion

By Nik Fernholz, Director of Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion at the University of Minnesota

The International Association of Special Education (IASE) conference serves as a beacon for global collaboration and innovation in inclusive education. This year, Art for All was honored to participate, contributing a distinctive cross-cultural artistic endeavor. Our journey highlighted the transformative power of art, showcasing works by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from Minnesota and the Czech Republic.

In the spring of 2023, Art for All was tasked with fulfilling a grant deliverable to showcase the lives of transition students—young adults with disabilities navigating the shift to greater independence. Collaborating with the Institute on Community Integration’s (ICI) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at the University of Minnesota and the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic, we created “My Life,” a photographic exhibit capturing the vibrancy of their daily lives. This initial installation evolved into a profound cultural exchange.

At the invitation of Dr. Šárka Káňová, country host chair of the IASE biennial conference (June 27–July 1, 2024), Art for All brought the exhibit to Pilsen for its second iteration. This expanded collection integrated original artwork by Minnesota artists alongside pieces by Czech artists with disabilities. Hosted at Pilsen’s Café a Restaurant Kačaba—a social enterprise employing and mentoring individuals with IDD—and the University of West Bohemia, the exhibits underscored the universal language of art. We collectively named this multi-exhibition, “The Inclusion Collection,” highlighting the unifying theme of art as a bridge between cultures.

Kačaba, founded by Dr. Káňová through a United Nations grant following the Czech Republic’s independence, exemplifies resilience and innovation. This café-turned-umbrella organization now provides vocational training and employment to thousands, fostering inclusion across multiple industries. It was here, over coffee with Dr. Káňová, Dr. Masha Černíková, and the café team, that we installed “My Life,” blending Czech and American artworks on the historic walls. For the first time, Minnesota’s creative spirit was physically and emotionally intertwined with Pilsen’s vibrant art scene.

The culmination of this project was a poignant reminder of art’s power to transcend borders and foster understanding. Artists like Martina Květová, a young Czech painter who finds inspiration in music, and Michael Bednář, whose mixed-media works chronicle his journey, represent the shared humanity that underpins artistic expression. Similarly, Minnesota artists like Jovan Charles, who weaves complex narratives through his "Shatterverse" series, and Sonny, who brings Lake Street’s essence to life in his graphic art, showcase the boundless potential of creative minds.

This collaboration highlighted the strength of Minnesota's robust arts programming and underscored the importance of preserving these invaluable resources. Witnessing the resurgence of inclusive practices in a region with a rich and evolving history of community building reinforced our mission: to ensure that artists with disabilities not only create but thrive in professional careers. Art for All remains committed to fostering opportunities for these artists, advocating for high-level training, and promoting creative independence.

As we reflect on this global journey, one truth resonates: art connects us. It bridges cultures, amplifies voices, and celebrates individuality. The lessons from this collaboration will guide our future efforts to champion inclusion, both locally and internationally.

Ceramics students collaborate on impactful fundraising project

Each year, Art for All collaborates with ceramic students to explore the history of artists with disabilities, from institutional care to professional careers. This initiative is part of a long-running project by Jon Holtz, a Buffalo High School, Minnesota art teacher whose family has deep ties to special education.

Through ceramic bowl-making, students learn about the connection between art and the disability community, culminating in a silent auction where they design t-shirts and raise funds for Art for All.

The partnership was featured on KARE 11’s "Communities that KARE" , showcasing interviews with Jon Holtz and Art for All Director Nik Fernholz.

Curation and Disability Justice presentation by Alison Bergblom Johnson

Feb. 16, 2023 | 6:00 PM | Northrup King Building

It is known there is a need for a more inclusive connection between the art disability community and the broader art community. Alison Bergblom Johnson is going to address disability justice through the lens of art and how galleries and other organizations can work with artists with disabilities to curate shows. Join us Thursday, February 16 at 6:00 PM for a presentation. More details are in the UMN Events Calendar .

Email Nik Fernholz for more information. fern0104@umn.edu.