Visiting museums by phone: "Bei Anruf Kultur" for accessible participation

An innovative telephone project enables cultural inclusion

Since 2021, a simple medium has been making cultural experiences possible for people with disabilities, limited mobility, or social isolation: the telephone. The nationwide project "Bei Anruf Kultur" (literally: "Culture on Call") brings museum tours, exhibitions, and city tours directly into the living room – free of charge, low-threshold, and without digital barriers. With over 125 cultural institutions as partners, the offer has developed into a unique success story that shows how inclusive cultural policy works.

In brief: That's "Bei Anruf Kultur"

The telephone tours provide barrier-free access to art and culture – without the need for the internet, technology, or travel.
Participation is free, straightforward, and ideal for people with visual, mobility, or social limitations.
Questions and discussion are expressly encouraged, fostering genuine participation and valuable dialogue between the guide and participants.

An idea born from the Covid crisis

The story of "Bei Anruf Kultur" begins during the (German) Covid lockdown in 2021. The Hamburg Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSVH) and grauwert, an office for demographically sound solutions, asked themselves a key question: How can people who are unable to attend cultural events still participate? The answer was surprisingly simple – and highly innovative.

Ms. Wölwer, you are the project manager. What is the greatest motivation for you and the team behind your work?

Melanie Wölwer: "The personal motivation is the opportunity to give people access to culture who have previously been structurally excluded – for example, due to mobility or sensory impairments, low income, or social isolation. This vision has now developed into a nationwide offering with around 125 cultural institutions."

The enthusiasm of everyone involved – from the team to the guides to the participants – makes the project not only an inclusive offering, but also enriching work based on conviction.

The telephone – an underrated medium

What makes the telephone such an effective medium for cultural mediation? The answer lies in its low threshold. The telephone is familiar, easy to use, and can be used practically anywhere – whether at home, in a nursing home, in a hospital bed, or during a hospital stay. It requires no internet access, no app, and no special technical equipment. This is precisely what distinguishes "Bei Anruf Kultur" from many other accessible cultural offerings in the digital world.

Cultural mediator describes a sculpture during a telephone tour for "Bei Anruf Kultur" ("Culture on Call")

How can content – such as an exhibition or a city tour – be conveyed in such a vivid way that it can be experienced solely through listening?

Melanie Wölwer: "The guides are specifically trained in descriptive storytelling techniques: they describe visual impressions in detail, such as lighting conditions, room atmospheres, or colors – so that the 'ears learn to see.'

In addition, special workshops, Zoom introductions, and training courses in audio description are offered. It is particularly important that images are created in the mind, that the imagination is stimulated, and that the experience is emotionalized."

The voices of the participants speak for themselves

Due to my health condition, there are many things I can no longer do. How wonderful that they have created an opportunity for precisely these people to enjoy more culture on a wide variety of topics again.

It's good that participants can ask questions. This alleviates some of the personal isolation during the call and also allows participants to contribute additional information [...].

I have been a regular visitor to "Bei Anruf Kultur" for quite some time now and think it's a great service that, I believe, brings a lot of joy to many people.

All the events I have attended so far have been extremely rewarding and encourage me to engage more deeply with certain topics. [...] I am looking forward to the next telephone tours!

Cultural mediator describes a painting during a telephone tour for "Bei Anruf Kultur"

What does the future hold for next year, Ms. Wölwer?

Melanie Wölwer: "A major challenge for the coming years is to put 'Bei Anruf Kultur' on a financially stable footing.

At the end of 2026, the three-year funding from Aktion Mensch, which has enabled the nationwide expansion so far, will come to an end. In order to continue and further develop the project beyond that, it is dependent on donations, sponsors, and the participating institutions' own contributions."

Staying positive is on the agenda: the team is working on expanding the range of services to include other target groups, such as:

People with cognitive impairments
People with dementia
People with limited German language skills
Children and school classes

The aim is also to broaden the range of topics covered: With funding from the DFB Cultural Foundation, guided tours of the museums and archives of Bundesliga soccer clubs will be offered in the future. Insights behind the scenes of theaters, literary archives and landmarked buildings are already possible. This even gives people access to cultural venues that are otherwise not open to the public.

What's more: More and more cultural institutions are approaching the project themselves – a sign that the idea is convincing, being accepted, and growing.

How can I participate?

This is how it works in practice:

Interested parties can select a date on the website www.beianrufkultur.de.
Registration can be done directly online or by phone: 040 209 404 36.
The dial-in information will then be sent out.
An experienced moderator will guide participants through the approximately 60-minute telephone tour.
After 20 to 30 minutes and at the end, participants can ask questions.
Further discussion is then possible.

The service is free of charge, available nationwide, and accessible without any technical barriers.

This portrait was generated by AI.

Author: Katja Laska | REHACARE eMag

Katja Laska writes for the REHACARE eMag about developments, projects and topics related to inclusion, accessibility and participation. With her journalistic experience and her focus on clear, well-structured content, she brings fresh perspectives to the magazine’s coverage – from personal stories to technical innovations.

Originally published on: December 01, 2025
Last updated on: December 02, 2025