Call for papers for Ars Educandi 23 (2026) “Education in cultural institutions. A relic of the past or a new beginning?” + Open call for articles related to the “Ars Educandi” profile for the Varia section

Diversity, but also individualism in terms of human needs, is one of the key challenges of contemporary education. Both can be cultivated and strengthened through cultural engagement. Museums, galleries, theatres, libraries and cultural centres offer a range of educational opportunities in this regard.

However, there is still a striking discrepancy between the widespread processes of introducing people to culture (e.g. in schools) and the declining indicators of participation in cultural life (e.g. book reading rates).

Is this a consequence or a cause of social changes such as: mistrust, the erosion of authority, a fascination with populism and primitivism, and (pre)early technological literacy?

We wish to examine this issue to answer the question of what the current role of cultural institutions is in society, particularly amongst children and young people, especially in the context of rapid technological changes affecting social relations. How do such institutions function, what purpose do they serve, and are we in need of them?

The issue of the collaboration between schools and cultural institutions may also be of considerable interest – is young people’s attendance at the theatre really driven by a desire to engage with the arts, or is it simply a form of time off from lessons? Are we, as a society, prepared for encountering culture through our formative years of education? Are cultural institutions prepared to educate the broader public? Are they simply accessible to everyone?

Moreover, education in cultural institutions can become a tool for building a safe space for diversity, where it is possible to promote not only equality and respect for individuality and difference, but also to build a community of people united not only by nationality and place of residence, but also by a sense of aesthetic beauty and shared level of sensitivity or interest. Education in cultural institutions is not bound by nationality, gender or age. It is for every man and woman.

We invite authors to submit articles presenting the results of their research, educational initiatives and projects, as well as theoretical reflections that address the broadly understood topic of education in cultural institutions.

 

Submission deadline: 30 September 2026

Planned publication: December 2026