Creating Inclusive and Equal Cultural Spaces in the El Prado Museum: "Sui Géneris - Art, Advertising and Stereotypes"

Abstract

This article presents Sui Géneris. Art, Advertising and Stereotypes, a project which has been devised and carried out by the El Prado Museum's Education Department beginning in October of 2019 within the framework of Inclusive Prado programme. Sui Géneris is aimed at groups of people with mental functional diversity, otherwise known as disabled people. Using examples of artwork from the museum's permanent collection, it intends to raise awareness of the way in which art defines and re-enforces certain gender stereotypes which perpetuate oppression and violence. Participating groups are encouraged to reflect upon the relationship between museum pieces and contemporary advertising campaigns which demonstrate that thought and gender conditioning structures of centuries past are still intact today. Through this project, the El Prado Museum intends to address an issue which affects the whole of society and to actively contribute to the development of more flexible, rich, and diverse gender identities.