The submission window for the first edition of the Olivetti Prize for Cultural Accessibility, promoted by the Ministry of Culture, has closed with 680 applications. The review and evaluation phase of the proposals is now underway. The results of the selection process will be announced by November 2026.
"These applications bear witness to tremendous creative energy and a widespread desire to make culture increasingly participatory," stated Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli in a press release. "The Olivetti Plan places people and communities at the heart of cultural policy and focuses on inner areas and territories where promoting cultural regeneration is most urgent. Through this Prize, we are supporting concrete initiatives capable of removing barriers and strengthening the bond between heritage and communities." The Prize was created to identify, support and promote projects capable of broadening access to cultural venues, services and activities, while strengthening the relationship between heritage, creativity and communities. The initiative is part of the vision of the Olivetti Plan for Culture, inspired by the legacy of Adriano Olivetti. The aim is also "to promote a broader conception of accessibility, capable of encompassing the physical, sensory, cognitive, digital, economic and social dimensions, and of directly involving communities in cultural design and production," the statement explains.
The Prize is divided into four sections: museums, cultural heritage and territory — projects capable of strengthening the role of museums, archaeological parks, archives, libraries, conservation institutions and cultural venues as active civic, educational and social hubs within their territories; cultural activities — initiatives aimed at removing physical, sensory, cognitive, economic and social barriers in the context of festivals, film and theatre seasons, live performances, literary events and reading promotion programmes; corporate welfare and cultural regeneration — projects promoted by businesses to enhance the cultural, creative and relational well-being of workers and improve the quality of life in their reference communities; and experimental projects by Ministry of Culture institutions — innovative models developed by the offices, central and regional institutions, and cultural venues of the MiC, intended to be systematised and replicated.
"Particular attention will be paid to projects aimed at the outskirts, inner areas and contexts marked by social, cultural and economic marginalisation," explained Stefano Lanna, Director General of the Olivetti Plan for Culture at the MiC. "Projects will also be assessed on their capacity to use technology to broaden participation, the quality of community engagement, and the effectiveness of the solutions adopted to overcome every form of barrier." The selected projects — three per category — will each be awarded a prize of €100,000, intended to support the implementation and development of the winning initiatives. Projects submitted under the fourth section by Ministry of Culture institutions are naturally excluded, as no financial resources are allocated to them.
The award is intended to support initiatives capable of producing significant cultural and social impact, of
Generate lasting impacts and offer models that could potentially be replicated in other contexts.
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