“Touched by Art”: Wiesbaden Launches Inclusive Art Project – Ten Artist Duos Create Together
The inclusive art project “touched by art – Kunst berührt inklusiv” officially launched on April 1 with a festive event at Wiesbaden City Hall. With this initiative, the state capital of Wiesbaden is sending a strong signal in support of cultural participation and active inclusion—backed by a broad network spanning the arts, social services, and an engaged civic community. The primary sponsor of the project is EVIM Teilhabe gGmbH.
A project that brings people together
At the opening, Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende welcomed numerous guests to the ballroom of Wiesbaden City Hall and paid tribute to the dedication of everyone involved. In his speech, he emphasized the special significance of the project: “This theme belongs at the heart of the city. It is more than a project—it is an attitude.” The launch was a “moving moment” that brings people together—not side by side, but with one another. Here, art becomes a unifying force: it fosters encounters, breaks down barriers, and enables genuine participation. Mende particularly highlighted the project’s reach, which extends far beyond Wiesbaden thanks to international ambassadors such as Udo Lindenberg, Yayoi Kusama, and Gerhard Richter.
EVIM: “MitMenschen” at the Center
On behalf of EVIM Teilhabe gGmbH, Managing Director Holger Thewalt emphasized the special significance of the project: “What a day, what a joy to experience the launch of this wonderful project after nearly two years of preparation.” He made it clear: The artists are at the center.
“Touched by Art” embodies core values that shape EVIM’s work:
Fellow human beings – meeting on equal terms and a spirit of solidarity
Allowing oneself to be moved – because this requires a counterpart: through art and through genuine interpersonal encounters
Creating spaces of possibility – for development, creativity, and lived humanity
This creates an effective space where inclusion is not merely conceived but actively shaped and experienced.
The idea: Art as a bridge
The initiative for “Touched by Art” was launched by Wiesbaden’s Inclusion Officer, Andrea Hausy. Her goal is to create sustainable structures that permanently link art and inclusion. She emphasized how widely the project is already supported by the city’s community: “The project brings us together in Wiesbaden.”
Whether it’s sponsored studio equipment, culinary contributions, or personal support—the commitment is diverse and shows how deeply rooted the idea of inclusion is in the city. For Hausy, one thing is certain: art can build bridges and enable new forms of connection.
Creative collaboration on equal footing
Participants include internationally and nationally renowned artists such as Marion Eichmann, René Dantes, Katrin Kampmann, Helge Leiberg, Eva Ohlow, Thomas Reifferscheid, Renata Tumarova, Silvia Willkens, Miriam Vlaming, and Susanne Zuehlke. The artists with disabilities are supported by various integration assistance organizations, including EVIM, the IFB Foundation, Facettenwerk, Vitos, Werkgemeinschaft, and “Eigenart” / die Kunstwerker. The project is complemented by a parallel initiative in the fields of music and literature.
The collaboration is being documented on film, highlighting both creative processes and personal encounters. Guests were given a first glimpse of the project at the kickoff event. A special moment was the musical performance by Iriyna Soroka, who moved the audience with her rock-infused, lyrical songs. The event concluded with a personal introduction of the participating artists as tandems, as well as a large-scale photo shoot in front of the project backdrop.
Making Art Visible
The project unfolds over several months and finds expression in several public highlights:
- Film screening on May 13 at the Caligari Cinema
- Auction of the works on June 25 at the Reinhard Ernst Museum (in cooperation with Christie’s)
- Exhibition from July 17 to August 23 in the Bellevue Hall
Proceeds from the auction will go toward the long-term support of inclusive art projects in Wiesbaden.
A powerful statement for inclusion
“Touched by Art” impressively demonstrates what is possible when art, commitment, and social responsibility come together. Or, as Mayor Mende put it: “Inclusion begins with genuine encounters—and art can create precisely these encounters.” For EVIM, the project is an expression of a clear stance: Inclusion arises where people meet, recognize one another in their uniqueness, and create something new together. (hk)
Further information on the project website