The Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups in Slovenian Cultural Institutions

The inclusion of vulnerable groups in cultural life is a central issue of social justice, equality, and sustainable development. While equality ensures formal access to cultural participation, equity requires differentiated, needs-responsive measures that address structural barriers to meaningful engagement. Vulnerable groups—those at increased risk of social exclusion and inequality—often face such barriers despite the recognized role of the arts in promoting well-being, empowerment, and social cohesion. This study examines how Slovenia’s main cultural institutions conceptualize and implement inclusion, focusing on target groups, accessibility measures, and structural challenges and assessing whether their practices reflect principles of equality or equity. A mixed-methods approach combined an online survey of 26 institutions with semi-structured interviews with six representatives. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic coding. The findings indicate that inclusion is present but fragmented and largely unsystematic. Institutions predominantly adopt equality-based approaches through general programming and standard adaptations, while equity-oriented, structurally embedded measures remain limited. Groups requiring sensory, communicative, or content-related adaptations are less frequently included. Overall, inclusion remains capacity-driven rather than equity-oriented, highlighting the need for coherent, equity-based frameworks to ensure sustainable and meaningful cultural participation.