Culture Summer Vienna: Making summer culture accessible to all in Vienna
Project: A EUR 4 million subsidised open-air festival across the city, supporting artists and celebrating cultural diversity
Initiated in 2020, Kultursommer Wien (‘Summer of Culture Vienna’) was conceived as a decentralised open-air festival designed to support artists during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing free, high-quality cultural experiences to residents and visitors across Vienna. Funded by the City of Vienna with an annual subsidy of EUR 4 million, the festival aims to foster community engagement, celebrate cultural diversity, and make culture accessible to everyone, regardless of location or background.
Overcoming challenges in accessibility and outreach
One of the key challenges for Kultursommer Wien has been reaching diverse audiences across the city, particularly in outer districts, and ensuring that all events are accessible to people with disabilities. To address this, the festival has expanded its programme to include additional venues in underserved districts. Accessibility improvements at the venues include induction loops and sign language interpreters for selected performances, ensuring that audiences with different needs can fully participate. In addition, a continuing cultural education programme engages local stakeholders and communities, creating a framework for inclusive and meaningful participation.
The festival also prioritises fair pay and transparency, guaranteeing equitable compensation for every artist involved. Its governance reflects the cultural diversity of Vienna through a board that includes representatives from a variety of backgrounds, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.
Strengthening Vienna’s cultural fabric
Since its inception, Kultursommer Wien has become a major cultural event in the city, attracting over 86,000 visitors in 2024. By creating inclusive spaces for cultural exchange, the festival has enhanced the cultural life of Vienna’s neighbourhoods and strengthened connections between communities. It has also provided critical support for artists, particularly during challenging times, enabling them to present their work to broad audiences.
Through its combination of decentralisation, accessibility, and fairness, Kultursommer Wien has demonstrated how public cultural programmes can both support creative practitioners and enrich urban life for all citizens.
